Read this lab early!
The author of the lab manual uses a specific approach to finding solutions to related rates problems. Because the author's approach may vary in its details from that shown by your instructor, it is important that you read a couple of examples before you come to lab. You don't need to fully understand the examples, you just need to have a general sense of the author's approach so that you can follow the directions in the actual activities. Make sure that you read the examples from Activity 8.1 and Activity 8.2 before you come to lab so that you are prepared to work on the actual activities as soon as lab begins.