So Frustrated Chem. Related

[my4helpers]

I just DO NOT get chemistry at all! I took it last semester because our prof. was horrible and now I am retaking it. In fact, our school has two horrible professors and one easy prof. Tons and tons of students either dropped or failed it and are now taking it with this easy prof. It's so frustrating because I am in week two and I hear people say how much easier this guy is, but I am still lost. I tried to get a tutor last semester and I still didn't understand it. She new her stuff and also charged $25 hr, but I still didn't understand. If I do not pass chem this semester, my shot at entering NS this fall will be shot! Does anyone have any advise!

[karamarie91]

I understand how you feel... I had the same problem and fears with Math. However, I learned to utlilize my learning style to its fullest. For example, I am a visual learner(which helps alot with Chem I, which I am taking right now). Anything I read or hear about Chem or Math, I just write it down or draw diagrams, tables, images, etc(anything that I can look at and get the point). Another thing is that I commit a bit of time to Chem. Its a 2 1/2 class per week but I study for it before class as well as on my off days. I'm learning Chem is alot about word problems and understanding that concepts build on top of each other. So, before moving on to another concept make sure you understand the concept that precedes it.

This website has alot of threads about chemistry. My favorite one is about conversions(which I am now beginning to understand). I practice alot of problems with online sites and read tutorials. Finding links between concepts also help. I also learned that there are a lot of shortcuts to finding the answers in many chem problems.

So, I think practice makes perfect.

Good luck to the both of us!!!

[Sart45]

I'm with you on not understanding Chemistry. The math was my downfall; the subject itself was interesting. I took it Online last semester...you want to talk about hard! You are teaching everything to yourself. I failed my first exam horribly and almost dropped the class. I muddled through the class and managed a B! The labs and discussion board saved me. Look on www.khanacademy.com ; look up Chemistry and the topic you are on. Very helpful and makes sense! Good luck. I know how you feel.

[NewSN13]

I wanted to ditto the khanacademy.com suggestion. I loved my professor but there were some concepts that I just couldn't quite grasp after lecture and reading the book. I don't know if it was having it explained in a different way or just repeated exposure to the same thing but usually khanacademy helped it to finally click.

[_firefly, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

The only think I can suggest is keep trying different sources. I think you are on the right track with getting a tutor since one-on-one is probably the most effective use of time. But see your professor at office hours, buddy up with students who are doing well in class and might be willing to help explain things, search the web (often online class notes and well written web sites), and maybe find a chemistry discussion board online to post questions.

One more thing. Some school will actually allow you to take other, probably similar courses instead if you fail one three times. So if your dream is NS, I think the only true barrier is your own persistence. Everyone has classes that they really struggle with. I think I took five different organic chemistry classes to finally get through the year long series and literally shed a small tear when it was the last class holding me from graduation, I was on the border of not passing, and the professor called over break to tell me I passed.

Like much of college, this is just a test of whether you can work through to the system and not give up.