Chemistry help needed!!!!

essarge,

I'm not sure where to tell you to go for help, but I'll share my experience with you.

I failed my first semester of chem in spite of putting forth my best efforts. Just didn't get it:confused: ! But I refused to be beaten. So I enrolled in the same class for the next semester, same teacher and all. About halfway through the semester, my grade was "D." Then, I had an epiphany! While sitting in class listening to the lecture, it suddenly dawned on me that Chemistry is not a science class...

...it's a MATH class! Mostly basic algebra at that. After that everything seemed to fall into place and I was able to pull that "D" up to a "B" by the end of the semester.

Here's hoping you have your "epiphany" soon.

Wayne hit the nail on the head THINK MATH!

I took Chem this Spring. Had very little Chem in high school and was nervous.

A friend of mine told me to get the "Essentials" books on Chem. It is thin and easy to finish the book in no time. Grasp the basics first before attacking the thick school book in earnest. Memorize the things you feel important. It makes life easier this way.

And yes, there is math. Practice the math problems, many times. They come up for sure in Exams.

If there is time, get also the "Super review" series of books in Chem. It is a bit thicker but still easy to read. And not difficult to carry around when you wait for the transportations or during breaks. You can get both books in stores or online. I got mine from Barnes & Nobles online. They ship the same day.

It's not a traditional way to study. But when I have to work and go to school, I need all the help that is out there. Basic facts are usually the same in good modern books when it comes to sciences. So I guess this way of studying is ok for intro level classes.

I got an A.

Best wishes,

Christina

OK, I confess, the only way I passed Chemistry in High School was by cheating. I was the only sophmore in a class of freshman brainiacs. The teacher always left the room to smoke, and I positioned myself strategically to be surrounded by the four smartest students so Icould copy off their answers. But, once we got to the mole, I took a nosedive.

Then I had to face my fear in college.

Some things I didn't know are 1. Tutors may be available on campus for a very low fee. 2. Most helpful, is that many of the books you get also have an accompanying study guide, with lots of helpful exercises. Found out that all the homework was taken from that book, had I known I would have had an A instead of hard-earned low B, but I did it myself. Check out your college bookstore or amazon for the study guide that goes with your text.

Organic chemistry I am happy to say was MUCH easier, since it is more scientific than mathematic, in my opinion.

O do agree chemsitry is math! I also made a little notebook of all the compounds and their charges, some of the rules, etc... I would xerox the parts from the book and paste them into my little "bible." Then you can use your bible while you work on the problems.

Hope they grade on a curve!

Forgot the best news of all, none of it is terribly important in the bigger nursing picture. The closest you will come to chemistry is interpreting ABG results and calculating the bicarb dose for metabolic acidosis! And understanding osmolarity/lity. So, if you aren't a chemistry whiz, it won't mean you will not be a great nurse!

essarge,

I don't know if this will help or not. I'm not very good at copying and pasting links, so you might have to type this in from scratch.

http://www.biology.arizona.edu/biochemistry/tutorials/chemistry/main.html

If this isn't useful, try searching for "chemistry tutorial". Good luck.

Thanks for all of your help. Looks like I'm going to end up spending this weekend studying what little I have left of my butt!!:) The first exam isn't until Wednesday, so hopefully I'll get it by then. I'll let everyone know. Thanks again!

Just had to post on this one! Two years of chemistry and I came out with a cerebral hematoma--so much for that C grade. I did have a kind of love affair with the periodic table for awhile--all those atomic weights and then.....and THEN..... there was Avagadros rule of horse pucky.......boy, what a wide world opened up with that one!

Know what they call a person who gets Ds in med school?...... DOCTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:) Ok, I have to confess, I really enjoyed chemestry, ( even if the sulfer fumes made me wheeze).

My secret to surviving in the begining and during tough spots was getting one on one help at the tutoring center at my university.

The prof. might have known her stuff, but she didn't get the message across too clearly. One on one help with someone who could rephrase or show another way of approaching the subject was a life saver.

Also, try a study group with classmates if possible.

Best of luck to you!

There are so many good suggestions, I am sure that you will do very well Essarge!

Best wishes,

Christina