Question for anyone who just passed chem w/an "A"...

RN1263 · Dec 18, 2005

well, i took excellerated inorganic & organic chem. last semester and got an "A" ...don't ask me to remember it now, cuz it's a blur, but i did so well, because i used flash cards...they are the key in my opinion!!! (i just made my own...oohh, and you can buy chem for dummies)

DrugReptoNurse · Dec 18, 2005

The only way to pass chemistry with an A is to do every single problem your instructor gives you and then do it again 10 more times.

There is a little memorization in chemistry with polyatomic ions and nomenclature but the majority of chem is just doing problems. If you fall behind.....don't! Go find a tutor to help you learn what maybe you didnt understand in lecture.

Falling behind just one lecture can hinder your progress as everything you learn on chemistry builds upon itself.

Good Luck!

PS In high school I made a D in chemistry. That was over 20 years ago. This time I made an A. If I can do it anybody can do it.

BunnyRN · Dec 18, 2005

im taking either intro chem or biochem next semester, any tips or pointers for thoses who took it and did well?? i'd appreciate any advice!
-jasmine

i took chem i, and in hs i had such a horrible teacher, that i ended up teaching myself the subject. in college it became much much more easier. after class, try to sit down and look over the lesson's notes to see if you understood the class. at home, read the book and practice chem problems, even if your prof. doesn't give you hw, practice them.

check these sites out:

http://www.chemistrycoach.com/tutorials-0.htm#naming

http://wine1.sb.fsu.edu/chm1045/chm1045.htm

http://www.shodor.org/unchem/basic/index.html

my favorite sites:

http://www.chem.vt.edu/rvgs/act/notes/act-notes.html

http://chemistry.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3a%2f%2fwww.karentimberlake.com%2fquizzes.htm

hope these help!!!

good luck!!!:)

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 19, 2005

I didn't earn an A ( the only class I have not ), but it was the toughest B+ I have earned. The course was intense with organic and inorganic Chem and lab. The best thing that helped me was making flashcards and practicing the questions at the back of the textbook.

Good luck

bbrown1 · Dec 19, 2005

Everyone has a different way of learning do what helps you most. My way was making flash-cards like others have said, but don't be afraid to go to the professor. It helps. Chemistry is also alot of math so be sure to review your math skills. Good luck

brittany

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2005

I made an A in Chemistry. I agree that practicing the problems and becoming very familiar with them helps. I also agree it helps not to fall behind.

Good luck.

casi, ASN, RN · Dec 20, 2005

Practice problems, lots and lots of practice problems, over and over again. Also sketching things out works well too. Sketch out molecules and atoms, if you can see it, it's easier to understand what is going on.

A lot of Chem is math, so if you are comfortable with math and algebra, you shouldn't have to much of a problem. Another large part of chemistry is visualization. Chemistry is something you can't physically see. You can mix two chemicals together and see a reaction, but you don't know how many of each is reacting with what. So you have to beable to visualize or draw it at a basic molecular level.

I'm not a note card person, so note cards rarely work for me unless I am doing pure memorization (Like in A&P)

lalajenn · Dec 20, 2005

I just found out I made and 'A' and it helps to get study groups together with fellow classmates and going to tutoring. What really helped me though was the study group. Each one of us had a strength and we taught each other. Also going to class helped too because it seemed like the people who was never there didn't do really well in the class. Good luck!

December716 · Dec 22, 2005

I did well and I didn't spend all my time doing all the problems in the book. I just studied the underlying concepts, why the problem is solved that way, and such so that I could apply my knowledge to any problem I might encounter on a test or exam. Just put in the time to understand the concepts and you should do fine. It does require some math ability, so brush up on that if you are lacking.

CRNAhopefulguy · Dec 24, 2005

i want to say that chem is by far the easiest science i took. haha. i actually took chem 1 and i also took chem for nursing majors and both got A's. Its very easy and the second teacher I had, had no clue but i already knew practically everything from chem 1. The class is quite easy if ur good at math and make sure u kno how to do all the equations, especially balancing, stoichiometry, and also the periodic table. It was also easy too cuz the teacher gave us a review that had every answer that was on the test on it haha.

Maisie · Dec 24, 2005

I did a lot of practise problems. I would suggest purchasing the answer book if possible. It will give you the answer to all of the problems in the book worked out. Then work the problems out before looking at the answers in the book. Do this everyday.

My book also came with online tutors. I used this whenever I had problems understanding. Never fall behind. Get help immediately.