Studying Chemistry III

  1. Initial Preparation:
  2. Read the textbook before coming to class. Take notes or outline what you read. Try to select the key facts and important points. Get extra credit points
  3. If you are unclear on any concepts or ideas, write a question to ask the next day in class that covers that material.
  4. If PowerPoints are available, print a copy to take notes on the next day in class.
  5. During class:
  6. If you don’t have a printout of a PowerPoint, take notes on what is on the board. Summarize, pick key points and ideas. Be sure to listen to what the teacher is saying and include the information in your notes. Again summarize and pick the key points.
  7. If you have questions, or are unclear, ask. The only dumb question is one that is not asked.
  8. It often seems that everything makes sense in class, but suddenly is unclear when you are doing homework. Be sure you have a clear understanding of concepts and ideas.
  9. If you are given work to do in class, don’t assume you know how to do it. If you are unsure, ask. Who do you ask? Your best friend? NO!!! The teacher? YES!!!
  10. If you are absent, get notes from a trusted classmate.
  11. Make sure you understand the worksheets and what you did wrong as we go through the chapter. ASK QUESTIONS.
  12. At home each night:
  13. The key to studying Chemistry is to do some Chemistry every day.
  14. Review your notes from class. This can be a 10 to 15 minute quick review.
  15. Do something both the day you have class and the “off” day.
  16. Do your homework. Be careful. Take your time. Read the questions carefully and make sure you respond to what is asked. Do it in an environment without distractions, i.e. cell phone, computer, TV, iPod, siblings, etc.
  17. Attempt to do all the questions and problems in the chapter that are assigned. Make an effort to try and solve them, even if you are unsure. The only way to learn to do something is by trying. Sometimes you will not succeed initially, but the more you practice, the more success you will attain.
  18. A good trick when hitting an impasse is to take a short break or go on to something else. Often when you come back, suddenly the problem will make sense and you will be able to solve it.
  19. As a last resort, if you cannot solve the problem, make sure you understand when we go over them in class.
  20. When you are working a problem:
  21. Write down the knowns and unknowns.
  22. Be sure to include units. (+1 Point)
  23. Look for a formula or relationship that will link what your know with what you are trying to find. Remember you can use one 3” x 5” card with formulas and constants on the test. Save these cards to use on the final.
  24. Remember, it may take more than one step to get to the desired result.
  25. Plug the information in the formula(s). (i.e. – show your work +1 Point)
  26. Solve the problem. Circle your answer (Correct number +1 Point)
  27. Be sure your significant figures are correct. (Correct SF +1 Point)
  28. Cancel out your units as a quick check of your work and approach. Your result should be the expected unit(s)
  29. Remember to look at your answer to see if it makes sense. Fermi estimate the values to see if you are in the “ballpark.”
  30. If there is time, carefully check your work and your math.
  31. Notice that typically any problem is worth 4 Points (or more).
  32. If you have questions, write them down and ask during the next class. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you will remember the question for the next class. You will often remember you had a question, but not to what the question pertained.
  33. Studying for a test:
  34. Don’t wait until the last minute to study for the test.
  35. In the days before the test your studying should be distilled down to worksheets, questions and problems, the notes from when you read the chapter, and your notes from class.
  36. Use the notes you took while reading the text and during class to study for the test. Do not re-read the chapter the day before the test. This is not productive use of your study time.
  37. Practice problems and review worksheets when you study for the test.
  38. Study for a few hours over several days. Your learning and success will be much better than if you study many hours for one day. Here is a chart to govern how much you study:

Test Type / Days to Study / Hours to Study Daily / Total Hours / Notes
"Easy" / 4 / 1 / 4
"Difficult / 5 / 1.25 / 6.25
"Hard" / 6 / 1.5 / 9
Final / 10 / 2 / 20 / Assumes 10 Chapters**
** Adjust accordingly @ 1 day @ 2 hours daily for each chapter
  1. It is better to relax for a few minutes before the test starts then to cram. If you don’t know the information by then, cramming won’t help. Your performance will be enhanced by relaxing and you will become tense if you cram. The tenser you are, the poorer your performance will be on the test. Try it – it really works!!!
  1. If Chemistry seems impossible:
  2. Get extra help
  3. Ask questions
  4. Try to use the available sources listed in the front of your textbook.
  5. Try to find useful websites.
  6. If Chemistry seems overwhelming to you, remember the answer to the following question. How do you eat an elephant (see the answer below)?

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Studying ChemistryIII.docx

10/8/18