How can I put my chemistry knowledge to use in an amateur capacity? I'm going to be taking general chemistry in my first year (I'm 18, heading into uni) as a physics major, but I want to be able to use it for fun. I've always dreamed of being a mad scientist, so I first considered attempting something mad-scientist-y, like creating an analog to snake venom from scratch, which would be fun, or something illicit like that. However, I had a strange pining in my chest, and decided it would be best to avoid illegal things like killing people. So, I ask. What are some interesting, challenging, and not explicitly illegal things I can try making and perhaps using? Also, do you think my university would allow me to use their chemistry.... stuff? I don't know if they have a bunch of different labs and some are open to students experimenting or something like that but I'd rather not do all that shit at home. So yeah.