During the course of Dutch physicist and SpinozaPrize-winner Ad Lagendijk's long and influential career, hehas published more than 300 articles, supervised over thirtydoctoral dissertations, and given countless presentationsand conference addresses. Over the years, his incisiveconsultations, tips, and rules for scientific study haveproven themselves so beneficial to the emerging scientistsunder his watch that he has been inundated with requestsfor a written version. Aimed primarily at undergraduate,graduate, and postdoctoral students, this essential guidepresents Lagendijk's practical how-to advice on topics suchas writing scientific texts, presenting data and researchinformation, and the writing and reading of collegialemails. Each section is organised by a collection of shortrules, outlined and numbered in a logical order as selfexplanatorypieces of information - allowing the reader thefreedom to study any number of them in any desired order.But it doesn't stop there: many of the hints, in particularthose referring to presentations, are of invaluable use for amuch broader audience of professionals, up to consultantsand (public) managers.