Tips for Succeeding in General Chemistry

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Coming to class regularly and taking good notes is necessary BUT NOT SUFFICIENT in order to make a passing grade in a college class.  What you do outside of class will ultimately determine your grade:  how you prepare for the lecture; how you study your notes, the time you devote to reading your textbook and notes; working homework problems; taking advantage of the numerous outside resources available to you.

Being a student in college can be compared to being a member of a health club.  A person who pays his membership dues, goes to the gym at regular intervals, and puts in a vigorous workout will reap the benefits of all his time and effort.  I am sure that you know of at least one person who has spent his or her hard-earned money for a gym membership, but for whatever reason, just never put forth the full effort (or maybe never even darkened the doors of the gym).  This person has simply paid money but received no benefit.  Will someone lose excess weight, build muscle, or get in shape by simply watching his or her trainer do all the work?  Of course not!

In a similar manner, simply enrolling in a class will not attain for you the grade you desire.   You must put forth your full effort inside and outside the classroom.  Below are listed some tips to help you in this endeavor.

1.    Get a textbook!  You simply will not pass the class without a textbook.  Bring your textbook and calculator to every lecture.  Work the problems along with the instructor in class.  You may also find it helpful to bring your textbook to lab.

2.    Take good lecture notes!  Write down everything that is said in class, regardless of whether you think it is important or not!  If you find it too difficult to keep up with me, feel free to bring a tape recorder so that you may “fill in” the missing material in your notes when you get home.  Review your notes as soon as possible after the lecture.  It often helps to recopy your notes in a separate notebook, making them neater and more organized.  Make a list of questions about points that are not clear and add references to pertinent tables, figures, and example problems in the textbook.

3.    As I mentioned in class, you should read the textbook before the material is covered in class.  You may not understand much of what you are reading, but that is okay.  It will make much more sense when the material is presented in class than if you were to come to a lecture totally unprepared.  After the material is discussed in class, re-read the text material.  You will have a much clearer understanding of the topics.  By the time the test rolls around, you will probably have read the text material at least two or three times.  (The worst thing that you can do is simply read through the text rapidly while highlighting passages in your book.  This is much too passive, and you will not learn the material in this manner!)

4.    Ask questions if something is not clear.  If time prevents my answering your question in class, ask me outside of class.  Don't let your unanswered questions accumulate!

5.    Realize that simply reading the textbook and your notes is not the same thing as learning and retaining the material you have read.

6.    If you are asked to memorize something, please do so.  It is material or information that will most likely be used throughout the semester.

7.    DO THE HOMEWORK!!  I guarantee that you will not pass the class if you disregard this piece of advice!  Don't let the fact that the homework is not graded affect your willingness to complete it.  At this point in your education, your arm should not have to be twisted in order to force you to do something that you ought to do.  As I mentioned in class, problem solving is a skill that most people have to learn.  It only comes with practice.

Do not memorize how to work a specific type of homework problem. This is a common trap into which students fall.  One course objective is to learn the concepts that will enable you to successfully tackle ANY type of problem (including many we don't cover in class).  To hone your skills, take advantage of the textbook website, the computer lab, and any additional homework I provide online or in class.

Watching me work a problem in class (and thinking, “Hey, this makes sense to me.”) is not the same thing as being able to work a problem on your own.  Many students are lulled into a false sense of security when what they see me do in class “makes sense.”  One of the best ways to be sure that you can work a certain type of problem is by writing the problem on a blank sheet of paper, closing your book, putting away your notes, and working the problem.  Try to duplicate test conditions when you are nearing the end of your studying prior to an exam.  DO NOT define “studying” as looking over a completed problem.  Work it on your own!

8.    Waiting until a few days (or even a week) before an exam to start studying is a recipe for disaster!  You must follow a day-by-day regimen of reading and studying your text and notes, working homework problems, utilizing the online resources, and using the interactive CDs available in the computer lab (in Room 1077).  If you want to be successful in this course, you must take the initiative in using the many available resources.  Remember that you cannot get more out of this course (knowledge-wise or grade-wise) than you are willing to put into it.

“Just concentrate on learning the material, and the grade will take care of itself.”

Some common questions students have asked me in the past:

What is the secret for success in chemistry?   THERE IS NO SECRET!  (See the tips listed above.)

Don't you have to be a “brain” to be successful in this class?   NO!  You simply have to be a student who has self-discipline, who can maintain a steady pace of study, who isn't afraid to ask questions and get help when needed, and who is excited about learning new things!  You don't have to be a chemistry or biology major, a math genius, or even any other type of science major.  Your method of study and the time you put into this class will determine your success.  I have had many, many good science majors in this class in the past; but I have also had business, history, computer science, and art majors rank at the very top of the class in previous semesters!  You CAN succeed in this class!

Then are all of the horror stories I have heard about chemistry classes true?   OF COURSE THEY ARE TRUE!  Anyone who doesn't follow the tips listed above will certainly have a bad experience in this class (or any other college class)!

Why do you go so fast in class?   My goal is to try to cover the material in a fashion that will enable you to learn it AND allow us to achieve the course objectives.  I try to go at a comfortable pace:  not too fast, not too slow.  Remember that each student in the class has a different background.  Some have had prior chemistry courses.  Some may not be properly prepared for a college-level chemistry class.

Why do you go so slowly in class?   See the answer to the previous question.

Is the math prerequisite really necessary?   YES!!!

Can't I take the math prerequisite during the same semester I take chemistry?   NO!!!   The math is a pre-requisite, not a co-requisite.

How much time should I spend on my chemistry outside of class?   This will vary for each student.  The average student should expect to spend at least 3 hours outside of class (studying, reading, and doing homework) for every hour in class in order to make a C.

That seems like too much time!  I never had to devote that much time to studying in high school.   This isn't high school.  Those who think they will be able to use the same study techniques they used in high school will find out that all college courses are more demanding of your time and efforts.

Why do you assign so many “homework” problems?   See #7 near the top of this page.

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