Chemistry

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I've never taken chemistry and I'm really nervous about it. This is the class description: "Introductory course open to students without previous background in chemistry. Introduction to the nature of atoms and molecules, chemical notation, scientific reasoning and problem solving in the study of the theory and applications of inorganic chemistry."

I have 2 friends who have taken it at my school and have already offered to tutor me, so I definitely will be going to them for assistance once the quarter begins. Before the quarter begins, I plan to prepare by brushing up on my algebra skills. Should I also review biology?

I'd love to hear your favorite chemistry studying techniques, tips, and any advice! Thank you.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, emyaj:

Learn dimensional analysis. This will help you in your math for chemistry, dosage calculations (later on), and more.

is a good youtube.com video going over learning DA. https://www.open2study.com/courses/chemistry is a good, free class, to take to prepare one for doing well in chemistry. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/chemistry provides a lot of helpful information.

Thank you.

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You do not need to brush up on biology to pass chem. you will learn all that you need to know in class. Brushing up on algebra might help a bit but again you will learn what you need in your class I'm sure, especially since it sounds like a beginner chem course.

I second Khan Academy, they were so helpful! Also look up chemistNate and Johnny Cantrell (both on YT) they were so helpful...I learned so much more from those two individuals than I did in my actual class.

Good Luck!

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If you are strong at memorizing about 8 - 12 different mathematical formulas, you will do very well.

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It sounds like your class is pretty basic, probably an intro chem class. It's most likely geared toward students with little to no knowledge of chemistry - it will probably be similar to a high school chemistry class. You'll be fine, chemistry isn't really that hard until you get to O-Chem (which the vast majority of nursing programs do NOT require). Like others have said, brushing up on some basic math and learning dimensional analysis will be helpful. You don't need any knowledge of biology to do well in chem, they're 2 completely different topics that rarely (if ever) overlap at the intro and general levels. You got this! :)

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I too will have to take Chemistry next semester and I never took a chemistry course before either. I am pretty nervous and know exactly how you feel. I would take the advice of everyone on here but also have faith in yourself! As long as you study hard, maybe take some tutoring, and have confidence you will be fine! Good luck!

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I resent people who say intro Chem isn't hard... Lol. Please tell that to the five people who dropped the class last week. It takes a lot of diligence and extra work if you are not strong in calculating. I worked my butt off to maintain an A (so far), and it came from reading ahead and doing ALL of the problems in the book. You can do it!

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

Chemistry is hard. I have a BA degree in chemistry and it was hard, I even failed gen chem 1 the first time I took it. Best advice: work as many problems as you can and read multiple texts. if it's still not clicking find a tutor and camp out by the professor's office. Chem is one if those things that just doesn't make sense until something clicks in your brain and then you are good to go.

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I dropped out of high school at 16, took chemistry at 43 for first time, was difficult but passed with an A in lecture and an A+ in lab. Another poster mentioned dimensional analysis earlier, start practicing now for chemistry as well as nursing will need it for both. Did not enjoy the class,but it is doable if u do the homework and the practice in the book. You got this!

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I think you're stressing out, relax. Read your book /powerpoints before class starts, do many pratice problems and look for help when you first start having trouble. Go on the internet, talk to your professor, study with classmates who do well /understand the material. Utilize your resources! If you put in all your effort to study I think you will do great. Intro to chem will not be as daunting as it may seem at the moment.

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Check out Isaacs Teach playlists on Youtube. Looks pretty good. I only saw a few videos, so not completely sure . He is/was the science chair at his school. I took another subject taught by another science chair which I thought had very good lectures.

https://www.youtube.com/user/IsaacsTEACH/playlists

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Thank you to everyone for the helpful comments and great resources. I know that part of being able to succeed in this course is not psyching myself out and you've all helped with my confidence with chemistry. Thanks again!

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