I know you don't have your first lab until at least Tuesday of next week, but you need to prepare sooner than that! So, get the most out of your histology lab (it will really help you in the long run of this course) by coming prepared! Make sure that you have read your notes (and text if you need to fill in any questions). Take time to look at some examples of what you will be looking at in lab before lab. The time alotted for lab is very short. There is a lot to do, so there isn't time to waste by looking everything up for the first time while you are suppose to be checking it out first hand under you microscope. For all of you tablet and lap-top users, there are a couple of really good sites to have on had as an "atlas". One of the best is University of Iowa:

http://www.path.uiowa.edu/virtualslidebox/nlm_histology/content_index_db.html

General tips:
1. Always start at low power--even take a look at the slide with your eye before you put it on the scope.
2. Work together in groups--all of the slides are slightly different. Help each other find GOOD examples of everything.
3. Don't waste a lot of time studying tissue that doesn't show the things you need to see.
4. Use your lab time to your advantage. If you finish the things we are looking at for that day, pull up you previous weeks lab slides and review them. I can't tell you how much this will help come the end of the quarter!
5. Think in 3-dimensions as you look at your slides. Remember that the cuts are very thin and could have been in any number of directions comparative to the organ.
6. The key question: "How is this cell/tissue/organ different from the other cell/tissue/organ we are studying?"

Remember the DVD's in the library (watch them at 2x speed to prepare you for lab). This is not a must, but it seemed to help a lot of people.