The research experience itself and I enjoyed a lot working with my professor and the other student research assistant.
What I wish was different
I wish the term could be longer - 10 weeks weren't really enough for producing substantial research results.
Advice
I would suggest students to reach out to their professors from classes they like. Let professors get to know you so that they would think of you when they need research assistants or have other opportunities. Professors are willing to help, and you just need to let them know what kind of help you need. Also don't be intimidated if you are rejected at the first time. I applied to be this professor's research assistant in my freshman year and was rejected due to lack of experience, plus I hadn't taken many sociology classes at the time. Yet this was a chance for them to get to know me and understood that I had an interest in doing research with them. The next year, they asked me whether I would like to apply again when they recruited student assistants for the upcoming summer. I applied and got in. I felt
that I did much better at the interview compared to last time, because I knew them, which made me less nervous about the process, and I had more thoughts on the project after talked with them many times. So don't be worried or too stressed out if you did not perform well in the first couple of times. People grow and learn stuff, and being rejected is just a part of this process. I would suggest to view it as a chance to learn and improve yourself instead of seeing it as an evaluation on you as a person.
