Chemistry Study Group for Spring 2009

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I am starting my third chemistry class on January 12th (tomorrow!!) and was wondering if anyone was interested in forming a study group (or if there is already one on here that I did not see yet?)

Kristi :)

Specializes in nursing student.

I am very guilty, I was just hoping someone would start one.

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I just started Intro. to Chem. today and am already so discouraged. Today was our first day, and we had a "pop quiz." It was a ton of math, including complex algebra problems and calculating percentages by hand. NO CALCULATORS! The worse part is that he is counting this as a part of our first grade, and I didn't know that until I asked him after class if it counted (after I'd already turned it in)! I've been crying ever since I got in the car because I'm so frustrated. I know it isn't a huge part of my grade, but what a way to start off the semester, you know? This kind of stuff also freaks me out because: (1) The program I want to get into is super competitive, and I really need an "A" in all my pre. reqs. if I want a chance of getting in, and (2) I'm afraid nursing will also involve a lot of math, and I'll be left behind in the dust much as I felt today.

I already have a previously degree, and took statistics in college, but it has been about 9 or 10 years since I have had to mess with algebra, or do math without a calculator. And I've never have been that good with numbers anyway.

Any encouragement would be much appreciated. Oh, and does anyone know any websites where I could brush up on my algebra skills before I have another grade based on concepts I can't remember?

Especially glad for this thread after today....

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Specializes in nursing student.

Ok. First: CALM DOWN.

Go to algebrahelp.com or search allnurses for math help links.

Don't freak out, its the first day and they can't honestly expect you to know everything.

Most of the nursing math is really easy. You will do just fine. I am horrible with math and I passed my dosage calc test without taking a class for it (required to get on the waiting list for my school) and just studying out of a book my director gave me that she used in school.

You could get a nursing math book if you are that worried about it. Take a deep breath and you will be just fine.

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I'm in Chem 20 at Compton College. Has anyone taken Chem 20 (no math requirements) ... I hope it's not that hard! : ( WantACCEL BSN. There is a site

with free tests and help, Math.com and it's a helpful study quide.

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count me in....i am starting chem jan 20th...my dilemma? hmm...weak in math, and NEVER had chemistry (even in high school) i hope this is not a lost cause......and i'm 37...!

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Okay guys. I've been working on my homework for the past several hours. Remember, this was the first day of class! Anyway, I have one big question that I can't seem to find the answer to: Which noble gas does not have the 8 valence electrons? I think the answer is Helium, but I'm not sure.

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Are we all guilty of checking here every day for a CHM Spring 09 thread? I know I am. Thank God somebody finally started one!

I also start tomorrow, on my 26th birthday.

Edited to add that I am taking CHM 101

Happy Birthday!!!!

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Okay guys. I've been working on my homework for the past several hours. Remember, this was the first day of class! Anyway, I have one big question that I can't seem to find the answer to: Which noble gas does not have the 8 valence electrons? I think the answer is Helium, but I'm not sure.

Well, in my chemistry book it states "With the exception of helium, the first member of the group, noble gases are characterized by filled s and p subshells of the highest occupied shell." Based on what you think and what this states, my guess is that Helium is the answer.:up:

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Thank you Kristi!

WantAccel.BSN-your teacher is a jerk, I feel for you. But now that you know how he is going to be then you are going to have to arm yourself. Check out this link and tell me what you think.

http://chemistry.about.com/od/convertcalculate/Online_Calculators_Conversion_Tables.htm

I typed in "help with chemistry math"

My teacher is AWSOME, she explains things very well and I wish everyone could have a teacher this great.

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I just started Intro. to Chem. today and am already so discouraged. Today was our first day, and we had a "pop quiz." It was a ton of math, including complex algebra problems and calculating percentages by hand. NO CALCULATORS! The worse part is that he is counting this as a part of our first grade, and I didn't know that until I asked him after class if it counted (after I'd already turned it in)! I've been crying ever since I got in the car because I'm so frustrated. I know it isn't a huge part of my grade, but what a way to start off the semester, you know? This kind of stuff also freaks me out because: (1) The program I want to get into is super competitive, and I really need an "A" in all my pre. reqs. if I want a chance of getting in, and (2) I'm afraid nursing will also involve a lot of math, and I'll be left behind in the dust much as I felt today.

I already have a previously degree, and took statistics in college, but it has been about 9 or 10 years since I have had to mess with algebra, or do math without a calculator. And I've never have been that good with numbers anyway.

Any encouragement would be much appreciated. Oh, and does anyone know any websites where I could brush up on my algebra skills before I have another grade based on concepts I can't remember?

Especially glad for this thread after today....

Yikes...I just re-read my post. I was obviously upset, as evidenced by all the spelling and grammar errors. I've calmed down a bit now, but am still not happy. My mother suggested that talk to my professor about it being unfair to count that quiz as part of our grade (especially when he didn't make that clear beforehand!), but I'm afraid it will just make him angry and cause him to be extra critical of my future work. What do you all think?

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I wouldn't recommend it. He is the instructor and he reserves the right to be as unfair as he wants to be. I would recommend asking him how many points the quiz was worth, and share your concerns about being rusty with your math. Most of the time if you show your teacher that you have concerns and need direction they will offer advice.

Did he go over the syllabus at all? Is the entire semester plagued with calculator-less tests? If so you might consider switching teachers. Maybe you just enrolled with the wrong person. I researched all the instructors before I enrolled and boy did it pay off. She is throwing out the lowest scoring lab quiz and lecture quiz. Maybe your teacher will agree to do the same.

Crying after tests isn't uncommon for nursing and pre-nursing students. I cried after a lab practical last semester, I knew I had gotten my worst grade ever (It was an 84%, I got the highest grade in the class) I went home and emailed my professor asking for my grade because I was really worried. I still to this day feel as though that test was made too hard for our class.

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I wouldn't recommend it. He is the instructor and he reserves the right to be as unfair as he wants to be. I would recommend asking him how many points the quiz was worth, and share your concerns about being rusty with your math. Most of the time if you show your teacher that you have concerns and need direction they will offer advice.

Did he go over the syllabus at all? Is the entire semester plagued with calculator-less tests? If so you might consider switching teachers. Maybe you just enrolled with the wrong person. I researched all the instructors before I enrolled and boy did it pay off. She is throwing out the lowest scoring lab quiz and lecture quiz. Maybe your teacher will agree to do the same.

Thanks for the advice. His syllabus was just as confusing as he was, unfortunately. The best I can gather, he throws out the lowest of everything BUT the lab quizzes/assignments (where he gave this "pop quiz" today...figures). Thankfully, someone in class asked if we could use calculators on tests, and he said yes, so I assume this is the first and last time I'm going to have to deal with this no calculator thing. I guess after I get the quiz back I'll talk to him about my concerns and clarify the future expectations, although given the MLK Holiday, that will be two weeks from now...ugh... I know my algebra is rusty, but I think I could get it back up to speed with just a little reviewing.

As for researching professors, unfortunately I don't have that luxury. The school does not post who will be teaching any given course. You can contact the department head directly, who will often tell you (which I actually did), but I couldn't find anything online about him. Maybe I don't know the best websites or something, but he wasn't on ratemyprofessor.

I guess I'm just feeling kind of stupid, because I probably could have figured it out if I hadn't been so taken aback by the whole thing. I saw, for example 6x/x + 2(3x + 3)= 22 (or something to that effect) and my mind just went blank. Oh...and then I couldn't remember how to do 300 x .40 by hand. :banghead:

I've got to stop obsessing and just move on...I know part of this is just my perfectionist tendencies. I hate being bad at stuff, not to mention I want to be a nurse sooo badly that the thought of this negatively effecting that end goal is making me a bit crazy...:clown:

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