Chemistry-?! where to start..

OpenHeartLPN · Dec 24, 2010

Don't fill your head with useless information. If you really want to bone up for a class thats 8 months away: get the syllabus from the teacher now, buy the book, and read his first couple months of assignments. This way you don't put useless information into your head, and you will be prepared for what you will actually be tested on.

That being said don't go too far into his course, it's better to know the first 2 tests like the back of your hand, than to only be able to remember a bit about all of them.

If you get an awesome grades for the first few parts you can cruise through the rest with little worry.

Student4_life · Dec 24, 2010

Well I can't say that any part of Chem could be considered useless, but to each their own. That being said it is important to know the names, charges and symbols for the majority of the elements (this helps a bunch). You should also brush up on dimensional analysis (how many cm are in 3.345 miles sort of thing), as to know math is to know Chem. Good luck and be sure to get those A's, not just cause you need them, but because (i assume you are going to use post 9/11) you are getting paid to go to school.

PequeSD · Dec 24, 2010

my chemistry lifeline was hiring a tutor ( a lot of college tutors charge about $10/hour). Sometimes reading the book and notes is no good and having someone put it in their own words makes a world of a difference. It was a lot of money for me at the time but after getting an A the money was well worth it!

thenameismac · Dec 24, 2010

I agree with rpred. Personally, I got a D in chemistry in high school but an A in college. I had a really nice professor, the labs were way easy, I read all of the assigned chapters, took notes from both the book and class and therefore, I passed. I just think you need to relax especially since the class is like more than 6 months away. I'm sure you should relax.

2ndyearstudent, CNA · Dec 25, 2010

my chemistry lifeline was hiring a tutor ( a lot of college tutors charge about $10/hour).

Cheese and rice! I've been doing this for free! I should have about $5,000 coming just since going back to school.

Or not. Tutoring really solidifies the information for me, as I often have to explain it from many different angles to people in my study group.

oklahomagal · Dec 25, 2010

Or not. Tutoring really solidifies the information for me, as I often have to explain it from many different angles to people in my study group.

I have always heard that you dont really know something until you have taught it. :-) I know when I have study groups at my house those of us that participate in teaching another student something they are having a hard time with always have a better understanding ourselves.

to the OP. Please dont stress to much about something that is so far away! Concentrate on the classes you have now and maybe..maybe learn the periodic table and abbreviations and charges... each instructor is different and yours may have certain things they want you to learn better than others.

Good Luck!