CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

Does anyone have any advice on how I should prepare for the midterm?

The review sessions held by TAs and UAs are very helpful. Doing all the homework assigned is also another good way to prepare.

Step ups are really good.

Definitely doing all the homework problems assigned, because I know sometimes textbook problems are put on the midterm / final verbatim.

HW problems are a good way of preparing and practicing similar types of problems for the midterm. Also I believe that Dr Lavelle always puts 1 question from the hw on the exams.

In my experience the best way to prepare for professor Lavelle's exams is the practice problems that are assigned. It might sound a bit arbitrary but what I like to do is actually repeat and quickly jot down the steps to each problem after I've completed it. It's worked well for me and I also think the review sessions are really helpful.

I would say the homework problems, and the extra study guides some of the UA's post like I know Lyndon usually does one.

Professor Lavelle provides many resources such as Step up, Workshop, and Drop in Sessions for students to use. If you are confused about the topics and feel like you need more practice, I would recommend going to a Step up or Workshop session, since they teach the basics and provide worksheets to help you too. If you have a question about a specific homework problem, drop in sessions are convenient as well. Before tests, going to TA office hours are useful since they give you specific topics to focus on that are definitely going to be on the test since they are the ones that make it. Of course, the homework problems are always a useful tool too since it is the best form of practice and you will see many challenging problems from the homework problems. Professor Lavelle also provides Midterm Review Sessions which can be helpful if you struggle on certain topics, and UA Lyndon's review session and worksheets are also extremely helpful to go to before the midterm.

Review all your notes to make sure you've grasped the material conceptually. If there's anything you don't understand you can check the textbook to clear things up. Then after you've done that do the assigned homework - it's really good practice.

Looking up and doing extra practice problems online also helps reinforce key concepts.

Completing homework problems and attending office hours if needed.

I would definitely do all the homework problems, as well as going over any old tests. The review sessions are helpful, especially going to the ones that are on topics you're having trouble with

I would say definitely doing the homework problems and reading the textbook as well as class notes are the best way to prepare.

The best way to prepare in my opinion is reading the concepts in the book, understanding the sample problems and finally doing ALL homework problems assigned to us. Practice is key.

LYNDON BUI WILL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND. Make sure you go to all of the review sessions that you can make. They will cover the most important topics and give you example questions that will prepare you well for the major tests.

In my opinion it would be doing the homework and being able to understand the concepts. Also if you can go to the review sessions/ step-up sessions you should definitely do it because they're super helpful.

I've never had Lavelle before and I was wondering whether the questions on midterms/finals are mostly math based/problem solving or are there conceptual questions asked as well?

Also never had Lavelle before and am not sure how conceptual the questions will be. Or will it be more calculations? Also are midterms and finals similar to the test we've already taken?

This Wednesday Professor Lavelle is going to announce various workshops and review sessions located around campus at various times to fit your schedule. I recommend going to those as well as doing some practice problems and finding videos online that relate to the course.

Homework problems are the BEST preparation.
Also one of the eight questions will come directly from the homework.

This review session is confirmed:

Wed Feb 6, 2-2:50pm, Dodd 147, Joyce, Equilibrium

The rest I will announce Wednesday in class.

practice problems! review sessions! covel study sessions!!!!!

I have found it helpful to do all the homework problems and attend peer learning sessions.

Homework problems as well as watching youtube videos on certain concepts has worked well for me. Professor Dave Explains on youtube has some good videos that explains concepts pretty clearly.

Between going over notes, the modules, the homework problems you should be good to go. If you have any doubts utilize the normal weekly sessions and even the midterm review sessions.

I also recommend watching Youtube videos in order to review major concepts. In addition, I like doing the worksheets Karen posts on Chemistry Community. I also like to take notes down while reading the textbook. Reviewing my notes, doing as many problems I can, and attending the reviews sessions has worked for me

Some UA's and LA's provide worksheets for more practice problems. These sometimes come with walkthroughs. Linden's reviews are usually pretty good.

Doing homework problems, attending any step up sessions, and going to the review sessions that will be happening throughout the week. Also there are practice problems that may be posted.

A great way to prepare is doing all the homework problems, attending UA/TA sessions and office hours, as well as watching youtube videos to clarify anything else.

I recommend doing all the homework problems, review the problems that your TA went over, and go over your notes. Also, review session are an amazing way of covering all topics in a short period of time.

Would anyone mind posting some of the help that the TA's and UA's had during this week? I'd greatly appreciate it! the fact that I couldn't go to some is because I commute and its not worth wasting 4 hours of commute only for a 1 hour help. Thanks again!

The workshops are so so helpful!! Definitely go to Lyndon's, but make sure you go early to save yourself a seat!

I feel that the HW and Review Sessions are the best ways to prepare!

Go to tomorrow's review session that starts at 12pm at CS50. The TA will review Thermochem and Thermodynamics if you are having trouble with that.
Doing all the assigned homework questions is also a great way to study!

In my opinion, the best way to prepare is doing the practice midterms that are given out during review sessions.

I would say review notes, read textbook for unfamiliar concepts, do lots of homework problems, and go to review sessions! Lavelle has so many resources!

Does anyone know the structure of what the midterm will consist of? Does anyone have an idea if it will be heavily weighed on material from before the first test, after the first test or half and half ? I would appreciate it if anyone has an idea. Thanks.

Are the homework problems a good indicator of what the midterm will be like?

From past experience, his test tend to be conceptual. He wants you to really understand the concepts and know how to apply them. Also be able to denote when and how to use the formulas that he gives in class. The homework should be very similar to his test.

Do you guys know if the TAs or UAs are going to have some type of midterm review.

If you go to any TA office hour, they will tell you what topics are on the midterm and generally help with any questions you have for the midterm.

Do we have to know how to derive equations?

Personally, what really helps me prepping for exams attending UA workshops. There are a variety of selections (i.e., drop-in, workshops, step-up) for you to choose from depending on your mastery.

The notes area also extremely important. If you can, try to memorize even the small details that might seem arbitrary. I remember in 14a Lavelle put some questions on the test that were briefly mentioned in class.

Melody P 2B wrote:I've never had Lavelle before and I was wondering whether the questions on midterms/finals are mostly math based/problem solving or are there conceptual questions asked as well?

They're mostly math based/problem solving but there are still conceptual questions, they're just worth less points./A lot of the questions have multiple parts (like a, b, c...) and combine conceptual with math

highly recommend youtube videos too, sometimes just watching someone do the problem and seeing how they lay it out really helps

It can also be a good idea to practice doing math problems slowly and methodically. If you make one mistake on the wrong question, it can cost you severely.

Reading other people's questions on Chemistry Community about homework problems while I'm doing them helps me a lot because I can see how else to approach the problem

alanaarchbold wrote:

Melody P 2B wrote:I've never had Lavelle before and I was wondering whether the questions on midterms/finals are mostly math based/problem solving or are there conceptual questions asked as well?

They're mostly math based/problem solving but there are still conceptual questions, they're just worth less points./A lot of the questions have multiple parts (like a, b, c...) and combine conceptual with math

Thank you so much!

If you can find a course reader (or a scan of one) there are very helpful past paper questions included inside.

Attending the workshops is honestly one of the most helpful things you can do for yourself in preparing for the midterm