How do you work around a part you dont understand?

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Specializes in Maternal Child, Home Health, Med/Surg.

I'm in general chemistry and thermodynamics is like German to me. My exam is next week and I am so confused. I understand some of calorimetry, and Hess's law - but am lost in most of the harder aspects of calorimetry.

Just wondering some advice, suggestions. I have a 93 in the class so far(we are on week 5). I just don't want to fail :(

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Suggest you take advantage of any tutoring available. It's risky to just press ahead and try to skip/omit some concepts. While you may get lucky and not have to face them on a test, they may prevent you from understanding higher-level concepts as the course goes on.

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I also would get a tutor. Try and back it up to where you were last doing well. In the area you are confused in, look a little bit earlier. Read that area very slowly, practicing and clarifying what you don't understand. It is important to define the words, and get a concept of what you are working with before moving on inch by inch. I also use the online studies that go with the book. They give quizzes and sometimes interactive examples. For me, I like youtubing what I don't understand. If I can see it it really helps.

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Sometimes you can find a great lecturer on a topic. There use to be this great chemguy that would break everything down, and I would watch his videos.

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Look online and see if there are youtube videos. Don't remember if these concepts are covered, but I borrowed "Chemistry for Dummies" from the library and it really helped me do well in the class.

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Specializes in Maternal Child, Home Health, Med/Surg.

Thanks everyone! I'm going to try looking up videos. I have to exhaust options prior to tutoring, because I drive an hour one way as it is, and have two kids. But I will not let myself remain confused if it doesn't stop. I'm not ashamed to ask for help! Lol

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http://Www.KhanAcademy.org (I think that's right) This guy has several thousand videos on a whole host of topics. If your struggling with a subject, definitely worth browsing his free site. I may have got the link above wrong, if so, just google Khan Academy. He does an awesome job breaking down biology, chemistry, math, etc...
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Yes! Khan Academy, all the way

(Thermodynamics part 1)
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I'm in an online chemistry course this summer.. When I tell you YouTube is saving my life, I MEAN IT! Seriously! Look up a tutorial for anything you need. Going to school for tutoring can be time consuming, but a 10-20 minute video that you can pause and stop is equally as effective. Goodluck! :)

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If you could not get a topic, the professors have office hours, and also I use to post my questions on forums. This way you have a support system to get through.

Also, my school had free tutoring for chemistry on campus. We had several organizations that did the free tutoring:tutor center, honors students tutoring, chemistry floor tutoring, and private free tutoring in the students activities building. Each campus had it's own center so you may look at various campus sites also.

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Yes! Khan Academy, all the way

(Thermodynamics part 1)

I discovered yesterday that Khan has a whole host of free phone Apps as well. I down loaded one last night..... good stuff :-)

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Specializes in Maternal Child, Home Health, Med/Surg.

We do have free tutors, it's just hard for me to get into it. I'm going to analyze my knowledge over the weekend(we just started quantum theory..yuck), then go to tutoring on Monday if I'm still uncomfortable.

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