Chemistry Study Tips
Students often ask for
advice about how to study chemistry. There is no single best method for
studying, but here are a few suggestions. These suggestions were developed with
organic chemistry in mind, but apply equally well to all types of chemistry courses.
Use the Concept Focus
Questions (CFQ) in the course Thinkbook to focus your thoughts on the most
important concepts in a unit or chapter.
Here is what I have found to
work best.
Before lecture:
- Read the CFQ for that unit.
- Scan the assigned reading for that unit. Read the
first page of the chapter(s), as well as the first few sentences of each
section. These usually introduce or summarize key concepts for the
chapter.
- Read the corresponding Lecture Supplements.
During lecture:
- Take copious notes.
- Do not focus solely on what is written on the
board. Listen and copy down key verbal points as well. The lecture podcasts will make this easier.
After lecture:
- Read the CFQ again.
- Carefully read the assigned textbook reading.
- Write down the solution to each CFQ as it is
encountered, even if you know it well. Writing an answer helps you
remember the concept.
- Expand and clarify your lecture notes based on the text
reading. Listen to lecture podcasts and discuss points that are unclear with your study
group.
- Make flash cards for new vocabulary words, reactions,
etc. as encountered.
- Do all of the problems the Think book and textbook.
- Go through the stack of flash cards.
- Make copious use of office hours and discussion
section.
On Using the Textbook
and Working Problems
- The index is a wonderful tool to help you find answers
to your questions...learn how to use it! It's easier even than
sending an email.
- Read the text. Understand the text, do not just
skim the words. Think about the text. Challenge what it says.
- Do the text problems as you come to them. These
are placed so as to enhance your understanding and learning of the
particular topic they accompany.
- Do not look at the answer key unless you have an answer
or you are totally stumped. Ask a study buddy for a clue first if
you can.
- If you get a problem wrong, work through the answer on
paper until you can reproduce it, and until your understand why each step
occurs they way it does. Then try another problem of the same type right
away!
Other Useful Tips
Most important: Genius requires dedication (i.e, work ethic). Learn more about How to be a Genius. Enlightenment is not instantaneous.
Most important: Genius requires dedication (i.e, work ethic). Learn more about How to be a Genius. Enlightenment is not instantaneous.
- Study chemistry for at least one hour of every day of
the week that ends in -day. An hour every day is much better than ten hours on
Saturday alone.
- Start studying early (i.e., the first day of the quarter). Seek help early (i.e., as soon as the question occurs, not a week
later.) A recently published study reveals that students who follow these
two common-sense study guidelines earn higher grades in organic chemistry.
- Do the assigned reading before attending lecture!
- Do not try to write down every word spoken during the
lectures. Get the high points, and fill in the details later (see the next
point).
- Rework your notes after each lecture. Work through the
notes carefully, and make sure that you understand each concept. Redraw
all of the structures. Have the text open, and expand upon each point
covered in the lecture. Fill in blank spaces or abbreviated material in
your notes. Make sure you understand all the material from every lecture.
Expand and organize your notes. Making a fresh but neater copy of your
notes without adding anything new is a waste of your valuable study time.
- Keep up with all of the reading. Read (not just skim)
the scheduled material before you come to class, and read it again after
the lecture.
- Organize the material that must be memorized. Make
flash cards summarizing essential memory bank material, especially
reactions. The goal is to minimize memorization.
- Work lots and lots (and lots more) of problems. You
should try to do every problem in every chapter. Get another text or other
source of problems if you can.
- Do not scurry to the study guide, another student, TA,
or instructor immediately after deciding that you cannot solve a given
problem. Find an appropriate section of the text (use the index!) and read
through it carefully. The study guide, etc., should be used as a last
resort and not a means of avoiding a reexamination of the text. Getting
the 'right answer' is not the main point of working the problems; becoming
more intimately familiar with chemical concepts is. It is more important
to focus on concepts and developing thought processes.
- Do not spend more than 15 minutes on any one problem.
If you haven't solved the problem by that this time, you are probably
missing something and further effort is a waste of valuable study time. A
review of the text, your lecture notes, or another source of material
(perhaps even another text) is called for. Go on to other problems, and
return to these difficult ones when you have had a bit more practice.
- Do ALL the problems associated with the assigned
reading, even if they seem irrelevant. You must take responsibility for your own learning.
- Attend office hours. Listen to other student questions.
Use the discussion board frequently. Students who use office hours regularly
learn more chemistry and this get higher grades. In addition, if I don't
know you, I will not write a letter of recommendation should you ask me
for one.
- Form study groups. A small groups of students working
together often exchange ideas and concepts to the benefit of everyone.
Teaching each other is an ideal way to learn chemistry. However, do not
allow these study sessions to turn into pizza parties and gossip sessions.
Group study sessions should be all business.
- Think molecules. That is, think about what is happening
on the molecular level. Consider where the electrons are, what they are
doing, and why they are doing it. Chemistry is much more than equations.
You will find this course difficult if you ignore this way of thinking.
Advice from Organic Chemistry Students
"The sad truth is
that most of your practice comes from doing problems and doing the practice
midterms. Of course, that sounds bad. But it's true.
My favorite way of conquering the 7 or 8 practice midterms that he posts is to do use a couple of midterms as testers where you can take your time doing a couple of problems to get a feel for what he's questions are like, and so you can go back to the Thinkbook and review areas in which you feel weak in. You can take the next several exams like the actual midterm: take in a quiet place and under a timed setting so that you can know how to pace yourself.
Also, I find review Concept Focus Questions always refreshes your mind about all the general details that sometimes gets lost when you learn and remember all the tiny details. After all, sometimes he asks you to write the definition of something and it sucks to miss that question, especially since those are easy points."
-----
"I find that doing the CFQs and Practice Problems right after he goes over the topics in lecture helps a lot. When midterm and final time comes around it's best to review concepts from the CFQs that were harder for you to grasp as well as doing all the practice exams that he puts on his website. I think it's also worth it to listen to lectures that covered the more difficult concepts."
-----
"I find that if I do the CFQ's before lecture I am able to understand the lecture more clearly. Do the one hour of day (although this is many times not enough time). Discussion section problems on the other hand haven't been extremely helpful for me as a whole. Do all of the old exams before the midterm, they will help you."
-----
"Study Ochem everyDAY! It is impossible at times to do it voluntarily, but I mean, at least 15 minutes or a couple of problems a day doesn't hurt. It's pretty doable because once his exams come by, you'll be prepared for his surprises and challenging problems. Trust me, I've been exposed to his exams before and the best way to prepare for them is not the night or a few nights before, but it is an ongoing process. OChem is harder than most people think, and how Dr. H tests- he really wants you to apply the concepts you learn and not just what you have memorized! So basically, the tools he has given you (Thinkbook, "optional" texts, etc.) are useful and meant to help students."
----
"I find that going over my handwritten notes and sometimes rewriting my notes right after lecture really helps. CFQ's and PP's are a minimal must to survive this class! And if you have access to Dr. H's book that's he's writing, you'll see that he has more CFQ's there for you to practice as well! Also, does anyone want to form a chemistry study group? I formed one for 14C and it worked fairly well. It kinda fell apart at the end because it was hard to coordinate everyone's schedules, but for the time it lasted it still helped. Anyone who's interested, please private message me. Thanks and good luck studying!"
----
"The best part about Hardinger's course is the access to past midterms. After studying for so and so weeks it is nice to have these extra problem sets in a nice bundle that usually summarizes what you need to know, and allows you to challenge yourself under similar circumstances. Granted there is always something new on the actual midterm so focus on conceptual understanding of each question's purpose. Lecture is awesome though. The metaphors and step by step explanation allow you to digest info before putting the knowledge to practice. Go to lecture."
----
"Sometimes I like to spend quality time with a whiteboard when I'm reviewing the reaction mechanisms. It's a lot quicker to erase and keep doing and redoing problems until you get them right. Since I go back to the dorms after lecture, for the current SN1/SN2 topics, I just write the mechanism we went over at the top of the board and list underneath it:
My favorite way of conquering the 7 or 8 practice midterms that he posts is to do use a couple of midterms as testers where you can take your time doing a couple of problems to get a feel for what he's questions are like, and so you can go back to the Thinkbook and review areas in which you feel weak in. You can take the next several exams like the actual midterm: take in a quiet place and under a timed setting so that you can know how to pace yourself.
Also, I find review Concept Focus Questions always refreshes your mind about all the general details that sometimes gets lost when you learn and remember all the tiny details. After all, sometimes he asks you to write the definition of something and it sucks to miss that question, especially since those are easy points."
-----
"I find that doing the CFQs and Practice Problems right after he goes over the topics in lecture helps a lot. When midterm and final time comes around it's best to review concepts from the CFQs that were harder for you to grasp as well as doing all the practice exams that he puts on his website. I think it's also worth it to listen to lectures that covered the more difficult concepts."
-----
"I find that if I do the CFQ's before lecture I am able to understand the lecture more clearly. Do the one hour of day (although this is many times not enough time). Discussion section problems on the other hand haven't been extremely helpful for me as a whole. Do all of the old exams before the midterm, they will help you."
-----
"Study Ochem everyDAY! It is impossible at times to do it voluntarily, but I mean, at least 15 minutes or a couple of problems a day doesn't hurt. It's pretty doable because once his exams come by, you'll be prepared for his surprises and challenging problems. Trust me, I've been exposed to his exams before and the best way to prepare for them is not the night or a few nights before, but it is an ongoing process. OChem is harder than most people think, and how Dr. H tests- he really wants you to apply the concepts you learn and not just what you have memorized! So basically, the tools he has given you (Thinkbook, "optional" texts, etc.) are useful and meant to help students."
----
"I find that going over my handwritten notes and sometimes rewriting my notes right after lecture really helps. CFQ's and PP's are a minimal must to survive this class! And if you have access to Dr. H's book that's he's writing, you'll see that he has more CFQ's there for you to practice as well! Also, does anyone want to form a chemistry study group? I formed one for 14C and it worked fairly well. It kinda fell apart at the end because it was hard to coordinate everyone's schedules, but for the time it lasted it still helped. Anyone who's interested, please private message me. Thanks and good luck studying!"
----
"The best part about Hardinger's course is the access to past midterms. After studying for so and so weeks it is nice to have these extra problem sets in a nice bundle that usually summarizes what you need to know, and allows you to challenge yourself under similar circumstances. Granted there is always something new on the actual midterm so focus on conceptual understanding of each question's purpose. Lecture is awesome though. The metaphors and step by step explanation allow you to digest info before putting the knowledge to practice. Go to lecture."
----
"Sometimes I like to spend quality time with a whiteboard when I'm reviewing the reaction mechanisms. It's a lot quicker to erase and keep doing and redoing problems until you get them right. Since I go back to the dorms after lecture, for the current SN1/SN2 topics, I just write the mechanism we went over at the top of the board and list underneath it:
- "why is this
SN1/SN 2?"
- "why did we use this nucleophile?"
- "what type of solvent is this/why/define everything"
- "what types of products"
- "orientation"
- "what if we had a different solvent?"
- "why did we use this nucleophile?"
- "what type of solvent is this/why/define everything"
- "what types of products"
- "orientation"
- "what if we had a different solvent?"
If you're eligible and
are having trouble with o-chem, there are lots of great tutoring
resources. AAP (Campbell Hall) has great tutors that put things into a
different perspective and sum up the topics really nicely."
----
"This is how I study which has worked for me before. I get the basic idea when I go to class. Then later on I go through the entire section in the Thinkbook: CFQs and Practice Problems, I have had no reason to really do discussion section problems unless I have time. Practice Problems already cover the topic very well. Doing all the practice exams are the most crucial and I do them the day before the exam. It really test your knowledge and tells you everything you need to know. The exam will be similarly formatted to the practice exam, with the addition of one or two new types of problems that are more challenging and really test your knowledge on the subject and are not seen anywhere else (practice problems or exams). There's a lot of mechanical work to be done, but if you do it it actually makes the exam very pleasant to sit through."
----
"I think my biggest mistake in 14C was saving up the problems and doing them all at once instead of breaking them up into manageable chunks. Towards the end of the quarter, I changed my study habits so that I would do problems whenever I had a half hour open. The details and concepts definitely stick better, and that way when you review for the midterm/final it comes together big picture wise. Also, when I'm doing problems I circle problems that were difficult or tricky and go back and do them a week or two later when I'm reviewing just make sure I understand the material well enough not to get tricked again."
----
"One thing that really helps me study is listening to lecture recordings. Going to lecture is great for gradual information retention, but for added reinforcement, around 4 days before an exam, I go through all the lectures which the exam will cover and listen to them at 2x the regular speed. You can still understand it and go over the written notes at the same time. If there is a part that needs clarification, slow down and repeat it. This is really helpful if you missed writing something during lecture. Also, I find it helpful to re listen to an entire topic (i.e. substitution reactions: SN1 and SN2) all in one day. It helps me make more connections and understand the information more thoroughly. The entire "relistening process" takes only a day of studying. This way, if you understand everything he talks about without having to go back and review the topic, you are ready for the test conceptually. To be completely ready, do A LOT of problems, every problem given at least twice. Go over discussion section problems and practice problems one more time and move on to the old midterms."
-----
"After each lecture, I usually read the course notes archive. It includes detailed notes on every lecture topic."
----
"This is how I study which has worked for me before. I get the basic idea when I go to class. Then later on I go through the entire section in the Thinkbook: CFQs and Practice Problems, I have had no reason to really do discussion section problems unless I have time. Practice Problems already cover the topic very well. Doing all the practice exams are the most crucial and I do them the day before the exam. It really test your knowledge and tells you everything you need to know. The exam will be similarly formatted to the practice exam, with the addition of one or two new types of problems that are more challenging and really test your knowledge on the subject and are not seen anywhere else (practice problems or exams). There's a lot of mechanical work to be done, but if you do it it actually makes the exam very pleasant to sit through."
----
"I think my biggest mistake in 14C was saving up the problems and doing them all at once instead of breaking them up into manageable chunks. Towards the end of the quarter, I changed my study habits so that I would do problems whenever I had a half hour open. The details and concepts definitely stick better, and that way when you review for the midterm/final it comes together big picture wise. Also, when I'm doing problems I circle problems that were difficult or tricky and go back and do them a week or two later when I'm reviewing just make sure I understand the material well enough not to get tricked again."
----
"One thing that really helps me study is listening to lecture recordings. Going to lecture is great for gradual information retention, but for added reinforcement, around 4 days before an exam, I go through all the lectures which the exam will cover and listen to them at 2x the regular speed. You can still understand it and go over the written notes at the same time. If there is a part that needs clarification, slow down and repeat it. This is really helpful if you missed writing something during lecture. Also, I find it helpful to re listen to an entire topic (i.e. substitution reactions: SN1 and SN2) all in one day. It helps me make more connections and understand the information more thoroughly. The entire "relistening process" takes only a day of studying. This way, if you understand everything he talks about without having to go back and review the topic, you are ready for the test conceptually. To be completely ready, do A LOT of problems, every problem given at least twice. Go over discussion section problems and practice problems one more time and move on to the old midterms."
-----
"After each lecture, I usually read the course notes archive. It includes detailed notes on every lecture topic."
