CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

Posted: **Thu Oct 03, 2019 10:47 am**

Does anyone have any good advice for studying for this class besides practice problems? Right now I simply read the textbook and work on problems, but I haven't taken chemistry since my freshmen year of high school, so I am not exactly sure how well I know the material. If there are any tips or advice that you think would be helpful just let me know. All comments are appreciated!

Posted: **Thu Oct 03, 2019 11:06 am**

You can check out the class website and you'll see there are a lot of discussion sections, peer learning sessions, exam review sessions, and Step-Up Sessions you can attend. Online learning modules are also a great help!

Posted: **Thu Oct 03, 2019 11:10 am**

Outside the practice problems and resources Dr. Lavelle has, I (and my TA) think it'd be a big help to start familiarizing yourself with the different polyatomic ions because they make the "naming" section of the course easier, plus it'll help make work easier now esp when you have to write chemical equations!!

Posted: **Thu Oct 03, 2019 11:05 pm**

I find it best to work in groups and to quiz yourself and others too. Honestly I haven't taken chem in a LONG TIME and I struggle a lot with the problems (especially numbers) so working in groups and testing yourself works for me! Khan academy is great and youtube too! Hope that helps a bit!

Posted: **Fri Oct 04, 2019 12:34 am**

Dr. Lavelle and his TA's have set aside many study hours outside of lectures and discussions!! They're almost daily, both on campus and on the hill, how convenient!! Thank you Dr. Lavelle!

Posted: **Fri Oct 04, 2019 12:40 am**

I too have not taken a chemistry class in years but I found the Video Modules and Post-Assessments helpful in keeping me on the right track without being overwhelmed by the amount of content I believed I had forgotten completely.

Posted: **Fri Oct 04, 2019 11:45 am**

Is it a good idea to review online modules before lectures so that I can be familiar with what is going to be lectured on? Or should I review after I have had the lecture? Thank you :)

Posted: **Sun Oct 06, 2019 10:00 am**

Personally, I think it is a good idea to review the online modules first, then attend lecture so you have a basic understanding of what is going to be taught. If you still don't understand the topic that well after lecture, or want to go over something that was said in lecture, you can watch the modules again.

Posted: **Fri Oct 11, 2019 10:37 am**

Aside from the lectures, what's helped me understand the material most has been the video modules posted and doing extra homework problems. When I do the problems, however, I try not to use my notes or the textbook as help to see if I've really grasped what I need to do. Reviewing notes is definitely helpful, but knowing how to do it on your own is a good way to test how much you know.

Posted: **Fri Oct 11, 2019 2:47 pm**

I personally read the textbook and take notes before lectures so the ideas will be explained again in different rooms. Whenever I have other questions I come to chemistry community and there are usually people who are having the same questions!

Posted: **Fri Oct 11, 2019 3:26 pm**

I'm really in need of tips for how to stay disciplined while studying rather than getting distracted after five minutes and giving up!!!

Posted: **Fri Oct 11, 2019 3:27 pm**

Drake Choi_1I wrote:Is it a good idea to review online modules before lectures so that I can be familiar with what is going to be lectured on? Or should I review after I have had the lecture? Thank you :)

YES this is what helps me the most!

Posted: **Fri Oct 11, 2019 3:35 pm**

Besides reviewing my notes and going over practice problems, I like to talk through problems and explain the solution to others.

Posted: **Fri Oct 11, 2019 7:37 pm**

Personally, I think the videos on Professor Lavelle's website are a great way to review the content we went over in class. I also like to study in groups to avoid procrastination, as well as do practice problems from the textbook to improve my problem-solving skills.

Posted: **Fri Oct 11, 2019 7:54 pm**

I personally watch videos on Youtube whenever I don't understand a topic or need a quick refresher on the fundamentals (Khan Academy, Professor Dave Explains, and Bozeman Science are my favorites!). Aside from that, I find that solving many textbook problems with a study buddy and going back to re-solve the ones I found particularly difficult helps me a lot.

Posted: **Sun Oct 13, 2019 11:43 pm**

I also try to review my notes for the class and try to find relevant sections in the textbook and take notes on that as well.

Posted: **Sun Oct 13, 2019 11:52 pm**

Kyle Harvey 4F wrote:Does anyone have any good advice for studying for this class besides practice problems? Right now I simply read the textbook and work on problems, but I haven't taken chemistry since my freshmen year of high school, so I am not exactly sure how well I know the material. If there are any tips or advice that you think would be helpful just let me know. All comments are appreciated!

I would say to watch youtube videos on the topics you are having the most trouble on.

Posted: **Sat Oct 26, 2019 1:29 pm**

Watching youtube videos from Crash Course helped me a lot in high school when reviewing concepts. When I was looking for more specific review, I would search for certain topics on Khan academy.

Posted: **Sun Oct 27, 2019 11:37 am**

I'm on the same page, I also need some good review and I've been using youtube as extra learning.

Posted: **Sun Oct 27, 2019 1:21 pm**

For any doubts I have with fundamental concepts, khan academy is a great resource! I definitely think that reviewing my lecture notes after class is a really useful way of solidifying the material Dr. Lavelle teaches.

Posted: **Sun Oct 27, 2019 1:26 pm**

I've been watching youtube videos that pertain to specific topics I'm confused about. Sometimes it's tricky to find really good ones but I find it really helpful to see someone else explain specific topics I need review on since you can rewatch them.

Posted: **Sun Oct 27, 2019 4:36 pm**

Find a lounge with a white board and work things out on there, it really helps to have everything larger and in front of you.

Posted: **Sun Oct 27, 2019 4:40 pm**

You may also go to the test bank and see what Lavelle's previous tests consisted of so you have a general idea of what our's may possibly look like :)

Posted: **Sun Oct 27, 2019 4:41 pm**

Besides doing practice problems, I like to retake my notes again even though it is time consuming. This way, I can understand and remember the conceptual parts of the topics better.

Posted: **Sun Oct 27, 2019 5:03 pm**

I would personally focus on exposing myself to as many problems as possible to get used to applying the information we've learned in lectures in multitudes of ways. External resources (Professor Lavelle's webpage, Youtube, Khanacademy) can help clarify information, but the true essence of understanding Chemistry is understanding every little step of your thought process as you tackle problems (at least for me). Hope this helps!

Posted: **Sun Oct 27, 2019 5:07 pm**

Studying chemistry is really just practice. I find it best to do practice problems. Lavelle's Step Up Program is also really helpful if you're struggling with the material in general.

Posted: **Sun Oct 27, 2019 11:12 pm**

Does anyone have any advice on how to take really good notes during lecture? I usually copy the slides but I always feel like he says some important things, I just never catch them on time since I'm too busying copying what the slides say

Posted: **Sun Oct 27, 2019 11:21 pm**

plopezcordon_4C wrote:Does anyone have any advice on how to take really good notes during lecture? I usually copy the slides but I always feel like he says some important things, I just never catch them on time since I'm too busying copying what the slides say

I would say you should try to listen more to his lecturing because what he says is very relevant to the Hw and tests. (at least from what I have noticed) However don't fully ignore the slides as well. Try taking photos of them and then incorporating them into your notes after lecture. Hope this helps.

Posted: **Sun Oct 27, 2019 11:49 pm**

Are the old tests in the Student Activity Center a good resource for studying for midterms?

Posted: **Sun Oct 27, 2019 11:51 pm**

I like the compile my notes into one big study guide on google docs and also do (redo) practice problems from the homework.

Posted: **Sun Oct 27, 2019 11:59 pm**

I have been working through textbook problems and the learning modules to study

Posted: **Thu Oct 31, 2019 11:14 am**

Personally I have found YouTube to be very resourceful because the videos provide extra material in addition to lectures which helps me understand the concepts better and relate them to the practice problems we go over. I would also suggest taking notes while you're watching the video because it's helpful to look back onto the notes for when you begin to practice problems

Posted: **Sat Nov 02, 2019 3:09 pm**

All these tips were actually really helpful, thank you!!

Posted: **Sun Nov 03, 2019 9:52 pm**

304976622 wrote:
plopezcordon_4C wrote:Does anyone have any advice on how to take really good notes during lecture? I usually copy the slides but I always feel like he says some important things, I just never catch them on time since I'm too busying copying what the slides say

I would say you should try to listen more to his lecturing because what he says is very relevant to the Hw and tests. (at least from what I have noticed) However don't fully ignore the slides as well. Try taking photos of them and then incorporating them into your notes after lecture. Hope this helps.

Amazing! thank you so much! I'll keep that in mind when I take notes from now on :)

Posted: **Sun Nov 03, 2019 10:23 pm**

Does anyone have some creative tips for memorizing certain things that are not on the constants and equation sheets?

Posted: **Sun Nov 03, 2019 11:35 pm**

Watch YouTube videos and go through the homework problems.

Posted: **Sun Nov 03, 2019 11:45 pm**

The online modules and assessments are so helpful for this class you can really see if you understand the material. I have found youtube videos helpful as well for more knowledge on sections I do not understand.

Posted: **Sun Nov 03, 2019 11:59 pm**

I would also highly recommend Khan Academy to study for material, because it explains concepts and reinforces ideas in your mind.

Posted: **Mon Nov 04, 2019 12:00 am**

KayleyW_3L wrote:I would also highly recommend Khan Academy to study for material, because it explains concepts and reinforces ideas in your mind.

Which chemistry course has majority of the topics we are covering? Or do you just search around for the topics we are discussing?

Posted: **Sat Nov 09, 2019 4:07 pm**

Jessica Tran_3K wrote:I personally watch videos on Youtube whenever I don't understand a topic or need a quick refresher on the fundamentals (Khan Academy, Professor Dave Explains, and Bozeman Science are my favorites!). Aside from that, I find that solving many textbook problems with a study buddy and going back to re-solve the ones I found particularly difficult helps me a lot.

this is also one of my favorite ways of studying!!

Posted: **Sun Nov 10, 2019 9:25 pm**

plopezcordon_4C wrote:Does anyone have any advice on how to take really good notes during lecture? I usually copy the slides but I always feel like he says some important things, I just never catch them on time since I'm too busying copying what the slides say

The first few weeks I would focus too much on taking notes and not enough on what he was actually implying/explaining, however what works best for me is to take quick notes and focus more on lecture and then later recopy my notes and try to understand the concepts a bit more.

Posted: **Sun Nov 10, 2019 9:53 pm**

At the test bank do they only give you five minutes to find what you're looking for?

Posted: **Sun Nov 10, 2019 10:01 pm**

What i would recommend doing is reading ur notes from lecture. Then attempting the hw problems for that section. And when u get stuck on a question write down the topics that correspond to it. Review those topics and reattempt the problem. This is a good way to assess your mastery of the material

Posted: **Sun Nov 10, 2019 10:11 pm**

I would do all of the homework problems that are assigned, as I found that very helpful for preparing for tests. Additionally, the review sessions and step-up workshops are always a great resource and provide a different perspective on the material to be learned. Hope this helps!

Posted: **Sat Nov 16, 2019 5:22 pm**

KBELTRAMI_4I wrote:
Drake Choi_1I wrote:Is it a good idea to review online modules before lectures so that I can be familiar with what is going to be lectured on? Or should I review after I have had the lecture? Thank you :)

YES this is what helps me the most!

I think you can definitely try it both ways and see which works best for you!, For me, I like listening to modules after lecture, but it definitely depends on your preferene and how you learn best!

Posted: **Sun Nov 17, 2019 9:26 pm**

Jessica Tran_3K wrote:I personally watch videos on Youtube whenever I don't understand a topic or need a quick refresher on the fundamentals (Khan Academy, Professor Dave Explains, and Bozeman Science are my favorites!). Aside from that, I find that solving many textbook problems with a study buddy and going back to re-solve the ones I found particularly difficult helps me a lot.

That's a great idea! thank you for naming specific online sites/videos to use for studying

Posted: **Sun Nov 17, 2019 9:39 pm**

What most people have told me is to learn using the solutions manual and go from there if you cant exactly focus on all the material in the book.

Posted: **Sun Nov 17, 2019 11:13 pm**

Has anyone found the peer learning sessions to be helpful?

Posted: **Sun Nov 17, 2019 11:17 pm**

Khan academy videos are super helpful! I also go to the Step Up programs that are taught by the TAs as well as office hours which are really beneficial as well. I've also found that just reading through the posts on chemistry community provides a lot of insight on topics that I don't understand or need a little more detailed explanation

Posted: **Sun Nov 17, 2019 11:18 pm**

For the current VSEPR material, I found that flashcards were helpful in learning the various molecule configurations and shapes, so I'd have to recommend those

Posted: **Sun Nov 17, 2019 11:28 pm**

For the upcoming tests, a good way to memorize all the shapes, angles, and generla information would be to make a chart or study the pre-made charts that already exist on google.

Posted: **Thu Nov 21, 2019 10:04 pm**

Rich Zodda 4B wrote:Has anyone found the peer learning sessions to be helpful?

I've only been to a few peer learning sessions so far, but in my experience they've been helpful because they go over and reinforce key concepts. If you have any questions about concepts they will explain them in-depth. This is my experience in the step-up sessions, at least.

Posted: **Fri Nov 22, 2019 11:42 am**

I know that watching videos might not always replace other study methods but I would recommend watching Professor Dave Explains on Youtube. This channel is very helpful, topics may be oversimplified sometimes but its a good start.

Posted: **Fri Nov 22, 2019 12:27 pm**

Flash Cards (especially with things that require memorization such as molecular shape) and I like making outlines of sections so I know what I need to know and can test myself to find out what I need to focus on (I pull a lot from Lavelle's outlines and my own notes)

Posted: **Sun Nov 24, 2019 7:32 pm**

KayleyW_3L wrote:
Rich Zodda 4B wrote:Has anyone found the peer learning sessions to be helpful?

I've only been to a few peer learning sessions so far, but in my experience they've been helpful because they go over and reinforce key concepts. If you have any questions about concepts they will explain them in-depth. This is my experience in the step-up sessions, at least.

Thanks! I really appreciate it. I might give it a shot

Posted: **Sat Nov 30, 2019 6:57 pm**

Not having a strong foundation in chemistry coming into this class (I took chem sophomore year of high school and forgot much of it), I find it most useful to break things down a lot. I start from the very basics and work up. It can be discouraging when a good number of people are just relearning topics from AP Chem and seem to instantly get the material, but I promise just starting slowly and working up, though time consuming, is very useful (especially when it comes to the test and you need to be systematic about doing problems).

Posted: **Sat Nov 30, 2019 6:59 pm**

I have a question about what we need to memorize, however. I know we need to memorize VSEPR geometries and angles, but what else are we expected to know? i.e. the chromium and copper electron configuration exceptions, etc.

Posted: **Sun Dec 08, 2019 8:06 pm**

Joanna Mendoza 3J wrote:I've been watching youtube videos that pertain to specific topics I'm confused about. Sometimes it's tricky to find really good ones but I find it really helpful to see someone else explain specific topics I need review on since you can rewatch them.

this is what helped me the most!! Kaplan videos were the best ones to watch too

Posted: **Sun Dec 08, 2019 8:10 pm**

I like to get into a study group and go over key concepts that are addressed throughout the year. I also make flashcards to ensure I know the concepts

CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

Study Tips

Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips

Re: Study Tips