Preparation starts before the session
Read the prescribed procedure and understand its purpose before a practical session. Identify the calculations, observations and safety instructions you will need. Note unfamiliar terms and ask your instructor about anything that remains unclear.
Follow the laboratory's supervision and protective-equipment requirements. Work only within the instructions provided, and ask for guidance before changing a procedure or using unfamiliar equipment.
Record what you actually observe
Record observations as you make them, label your work clearly and include units in calculations. Keep the sequence of your work understandable so that you and your instructor can review it later.
Report unexpected results or mistakes honestly rather than changing a record to match an expected answer. An unexpected observation can become a useful learning point when the procedure and conditions have been recorded accurately.
Review the session while it is fresh
After completing the instructed clean-up and disposal steps, take a moment to review your notes. Identify what you understood, what needs correction and what you want to ask before the next session.