Am I supposed to know this????

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I just started taking basic chemistry and am really worried. It's been 25 years since high school, (went to a really small rural one and the only math I had was basic algebra.) and we didn't have chemistry. So I'm entering this as a blank slate. Now, I think I'm a reasonably intelligent woman, but I'm completely clueless in this class. Silly me, I assumed the instructor would teach, but class consists of her handing out 3 or 4 pages of different types of conversion equations,and an answer key.Then she'll show a movie on elements or the power of 10.That's it. She has yet to show how to work one problem. We've had 2 quizzes and I've skidded by just barely. The book demonstrates a few basic problems and from that I'm starting to be able to figure them out, but for me it's slow going.I know that I can not afford to fall behind. Is this normal? Her syllabus states that no prior chemistry knowledge is neccassary, but the school I'm at has a strong pharmacy program and the first day she told us she was going to teach us as if we were all going on to Pharm. I went to the help room once, but the girl there was only interested in doing her own homework, so that wasn't much help either. Is this just the way it is? Was this every one's experience? And if so, any web sites that can help me along? I'm willing to do the work, I just need a little guidence.

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Hi there! I'm right there with you. I am really worried about this course (and I have had 2 yrs of HS chem and 1 yr of college level)... years ago though.

Anyway... this scientific notation and conversion stuff is already killing me. What happened to good ole electrons and neutrons?? Don't they exist anymore??? :trout:

Does your chem text have a CD that comes with it?? Mine hasn't proven to be that helpful yet, but I haven't used it much yet either. There are some tutorials on it... so you may want to check it out if you have access.

Otherwise... there doesn't seem to be much help online.

Have you tried the Chem sticky?? If you have questions or need help you may want to post there and see if someone can help you solve a problem...

I didn't think this was going to be so hard. I'm glad I only take one class at a time! LOL

Good luck!

Jennifer

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I just started taking basic chemistry and am really worried. It's been 25 years since high school, (went to a really small rural one and the only math I had was basic algebra.) and we didn't have chemistry. So I'm entering this as a blank slate. Now, I think I'm a reasonably intelligent woman, but I'm completely clueless in this class. Silly me, I assumed the instructor would teach, but class consists of her handing out 3 or 4 pages of different types of conversion equations,and an answer key.Then she'll show a movie on elements or the power of 10.That's it. She has yet to show how to work one problem. We've had 2 quizzes and I've skidded by just barely. The book demonstrates a few basic problems and from that I'm starting to be able to figure them out, but for me it's slow going.I know that I can not afford to fall behind. Is this normal? Her syllabus states that no prior chemistry knowledge is neccassary, but the school I'm at has a strong pharmacy program and the first day she told us she was going to teach us as if we were all going on to Pharm. I went to the help room once, but the girl there was only interested in doing her own homework, so that wasn't much help either. Is this just the way it is? Was this every one's experience? And if so, any web sites that can help me along? I'm willing to do the work, I just need a little guidence.

is this a basic chem course? I had never taken Chemistry or anything like it before college. I pretty much taught myself, I used the book and did all the exercises over and over again.

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I just started taking basic chemistry and am really worried. It's been 25 years since high school, (went to a really small rural one and the only math I had was basic algebra.) and we didn't have chemistry. So I'm entering this as a blank slate. Now, I think I'm a reasonably intelligent woman, but I'm completely clueless in this class. Silly me, I assumed the instructor would teach, but class consists of her handing out 3 or 4 pages of different types of conversion equations,and an answer key.Then she'll show a movie on elements or the power of 10.That's it. She has yet to show how to work one problem. We've had 2 quizzes and I've skidded by just barely. The book demonstrates a few basic problems and from that I'm starting to be able to figure them out, but for me it's slow going.I know that I can not afford to fall behind. Is this normal? Her syllabus states that no prior chemistry knowledge is neccassary, but the school I'm at has a strong pharmacy program and the first day she told us she was going to teach us as if we were all going on to Pharm. I went to the help room once, but the girl there was only interested in doing her own homework, so that wasn't much help either. Is this just the way it is? Was this every one's experience? And if so, any web sites that can help me along? I'm willing to do the work, I just need a little guidence.

try this one it's from my school

http://hfcclab.info/science

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Thanks for all the responses. Looked up that websight, it's fabulous, thank you! I too, am going through the book and working problems over and over till I get them right, and yay for me,I am figuring it out, I guess I just assumed that she would demonstrate how to do some of this , and I'm so worried that it's only going to get tougher, and that eventualy I won't be able to keep up. The professor has a reputation for not being helpful and scolding you if you go to her for help. oh well. Life's tough aint it? By the way, what's a sticky? And where do I find it?

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its the posts that are pinned at the top of the page.There is a chem one up there.

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Thanks for all the responses. Looked up that websight, it's fabulous, thank you! I too, am going through the book and working problems over and over till I get them right, and yay for me,I am figuring it out, I guess I just assumed that she would demonstrate how to do some of this , and I'm so worried that it's only going to get tougher, and that eventualy I won't be able to keep up. The professor has a reputation for not being helpful and scolding you if you go to her for help. oh well. Life's tough aint it? By the way, what's a sticky? And where do I find it?

At the top of the pre-nursing section there are "stickies"... threads that are set to stay at the top of the posts so people can locate them easily. There is a Chemistry Fall 2007 thread that you can go through. Lots of people ask questions and can get great answers and help in there. Good luck!

Jen

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No doubt about it. Chem is tough. I had a math teacher like this once. He was a mathmatician and naturally assumes that EVERYONE knows and understands basic algebra. Even for those of us who had returned to school after an extended ammount of years. This could be your instuctors method of thinking.

If I were you, I would go to your bookstore to see if they have a supplement book to your chem book. This acts as a guide for your chem book and shows you how to work the problems, step by step. If your library does not offer one, go to Borders or Barnes n Noble and find a chem help book. They have a ton of them. I am thinking of investing in one myself. They even have a Chemistry for Dummies by Cliffsnotes.

Wishing you better luck.

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