Final

[StephanieIb]

Does anyone have tips to do well on the final/study efficiently for it? I studied a lot for the 14A final but ended up not doing too well and found it to be really difficult

[Nick Pascua 2L]

Hi!

I too didn't do well on my 14A final but after talking too many people, I would say redoing the textbook problems is absolutely necessary as there are many diverse problems that will help you master the topics. By understanding and learning how to approach every problem, you'll increase the likeliness of knowing how to answer similar questions on the exam.

[lauren_tran_1L]

I believe its cumulative so I think the best thing to do is start studying the earlier material as soon as possible! You got this!

[Alex Mele 2A]

I reviewed sapling and textbook questions, the outlines, my notes, and new questions on chemistry community. I also found the review sessions helpful!

[Lauren Mungo 1K]

I think going over the textbook and sapling problems is a great way to start and then make sure you go through your lecture notes and textbook notes and maybe make a study guide of the material to help answer the conceptual based questions!

[Sahaj Patel Lec3DisK]

Redoing the textbook problems, looking at the sapling problems, and attending as many review sessions/ TA Office Hours during Finals Week will go a long way. Just try your best, and work hard. Everything else falls into place after that. Hope this helps!

[shevanti_kumar_1E]

I think starting to study a week before the final is helpful. It'll help you spread everything out. Also I find the review sessions and workshops that the UA's do really helpful.

[Bailey Giovanoli 1L]

I'd agree with going over the textbook problems. Although every topic we cover will be on the exam, I would recommend paying the most attention to the topics we spent the most time on when you study. These topics will likely pop up the most on the final.

[Emily Jacobo 1C]

I agree, I think the textbook problems are probably going to be your best friend as they really give a good idea of the type of questions that are going to be on the exams and they get you used to the wording used. I also recommend attending UA review sessions that go over certain topics you don’t feel super confident on, as they help to prepare you.

[OmarArafat_2K]

Redoing various textbook questions, sapling questions, and timing yourself to do questions that you normally struggle on. If you have any questions, attend office hours and ensure you go to any review session.

[Blake Ballew 1H]

UA sessions honestly work wonders as they teach whole lecture topics all over again but more slow paced and interactively. Definitely recommend at least one or two a week to make sure you really understand the concepts from lecture.

[Uyen Trinh 3C]

I've noticed that going to UA sessions really helps me feel confident in my knowledge of all the topics. I call it fun studying because technically you are studying for the final, but you are doing it with others who are also on the same boat.

[Katelyn_Ortega_1D]

Textbook problems are the way to go. I would even do them more than once as he bases a lot of his exam questions on them.

[jasmineculilap_3F]

Textbook problems and attending UA sessions are probably the best way to review.

[Karen Zheng_2K]

From what I've seen, I'm planning on going to as many Step-Up sessions as possible as well as redoing all the textbook problems.

[SophiaJenny3I]

Hi! I also didn't do as well as I wanted to on the final in 14A. I did all the textbook problems for the recent units, but I didn't re-visist the old textbook problems as much. That was definitely where I messed up. While I remembered the past problems to a certain extent, it wasn't as fresh in my mind. This caused my to spend way too much time on some of the easier problems from past units. Definitely go through ALL the textbook problems again! And attend workshops if you can, because they do an awesome job of going over cumulative problems.

[Bhuvan Kommineni 3L]

I didn't take 14A with lavelle but I would just recommend doing the old practice problems from the textbook as he frequently pulls from there.

[Hana Sigsbee 3B]

I personally did not do great either and I reviewed sapling, textbook, outlines, lecture notes, and went to review sessions but I feel I would have done better if I was more engaged with the studying and not just doing it like I am going through the motions.

[Truman Chong Dis 3G]

I would definitely try to do as many textbook questions as possible especially as Dr. Lavelle may put questions that he assigned on the exam. If you don't have a firm understanding on the topics or you want more practice, I would definitely go to the UA and Step-Up Sessions. Additionally, get to know your equipment like your calculator, and the equation sheets so you know where and how to use the things that you are allowed to the best of your ability and you won't be slowed down on the test trying to find things.

[Lorraine Medina 3E]

i would review textbook problems and make sure you really understand why certain steps are taken in solving. also youtube videos are really helpful for review!

[Namratha Gujje]

Hi!

I honestly was hoping to do a lot better on the final as well so I would suggest for the both of us to study earlier for the final. As well as starting to study earlier, we should also start reviewing/redoing the assigned textbook problems. Also going to office hours to get help on concepts that you may find somewhat confusing. These are just some things that might help. I hope you found them useful.

[Giselle_zamora_1L]

Hey, I also found 14A really really difficult. I barely passed even though I felt strongly in most of the topics. However, what I discovered too late were the textbook problems. I thought that the sampling homework was enough to review but nope. Do the self-help problems and the textbook problems and you should improve! Heads up those they are very time-consuming so plan to start at least a week and a half in advance. They were all I did for a week straight before the exam and I did not have enough time.

[Akriti Ratti 1H]

I felt the same way in 14A, but doing the textbook problems this quarter has helped me a lot!

[Sachi Sengupta 2C]

I'd say redo the outlines until you've mastered every problem. Try to go to as many UA sessions as possible especially during the week before finals because they generally have topic specific sessions which are nice for reviewing.

[Vivian Chang 3L]

I'd definitely say do all the textbook problems and understand the concepts behind them! The textbook problems teach you a lot of concepts that weren't explicitly stated in lecture so I think it's super important to make sure you do them. Also, UA sessions are great for extra review and reinforcing conceptual understanding, so I'd definitely recommend attending at least one a week if you can!

[SamayaJoshi1A]

I remember the fine last quarter being brutal. Do the textbook problems again. The nice thing is that Lavelle understands when the finals are too hard and will adjust points for that.

[Veronica Macias 3K]

The best thing for cumulative tests is to give yourself enough study time to review the material ahead of time. I recommend doing the textbook problems again and making sure you can do them without the solution manual steps. I think the sapling problems are also useful and they give explanations if you need a refresher.

[Margaret Wang 2D]

I didn't do as well as I hoped either, and I fault that on myself for not redoing all the textbook problems, so I will be doing that.

[Pierce Newman 1A]

my strategy is always centered around practice, practice, practice. I think it is a good system to learn the basics from the lectures, then learn how to apply the basics onto practice problems from discussion. If there is any topic particularly confusing, going to step up sessions or workshops is important as well. Then, when the exam rolls around start doing practice problems from every outline.

[AHUNT_1A]

work consistently on the homework problems and attending UA sessions really helped me I struggled a bit on the 14a final but I felt a bit more comfortable knowing I had studied and did my UA sessions.

[Hannah Alltucker 3L]

Do the textbook problems! He puts some on all of the tests, so at least its a good way to get some points. Also, go to the extra sessions and ask questions on topics you're confused about!

[Melody Wu 2L]

Definitely focus most of your time on textbook questions and really understanding every single question + then studying the concepts you aren't too comfortable with. Beyond that, attend as many of the final review sessions by TAs/UAs during week 10 to get familiar with solving all types of questions! The more you practice, the more second nature it becomes. To see if you actually know the material, I suggest trying to explain the concepts on the outlines to a family member/friend/yourself out loud and seeing which points you're less comfortable explaining :)

[Norah Gidanian 3D]

I would just try doing as many practice problems as you can and attending the step up sessions because they do problems you haven't seen before!

[Katie Phan 1K]

The amount of time you spend studying a topic should correlate with how much time we spent on it in class since that's how the distribution of questions will be like on the final. Don't waste your energy!

[Anna Martin 2l]

It's definitely about prioritizing your time to attend workshops and complete textbook problems. I would also recommend reaching out to TA's or UA's if you're confused about a problem, because they're super helpful in conceptually understanding the problem or subject. Good luck everyone!

[jasmineculilap_3F]

I would go do the textbook problems.

[Brandon Gruender 3F]

The textbook problems help a lot. By doing those and reviewing past notes I think you will do just fine!

[AHUNT_1A]

Reviewing textbook problems are practicing some of the homework questions help. UA sessions and office hours also help.

[Hana Sigsbee 3B]

I try and find the hardest most complicated problems in the book to practice before the final.

[John_Tran_3J]

Honestly, just feeling good about the material you studied is the best! I recommend just studying and having fun while youre at it and then it will all come to you during the exam!

[LexyDenaburg_3A]

These are great tips, thank you!!

[FrancescaHawkins2H]

I would definitely recommend reviewing the textbook problems listed on the syllabus as this is closest to the format for the questions on the exam, and some questions are even pulled directly from the textbook. I find it especially helpful to study with a friend, or to go over problems that are especially confusing with a TA in office hours or a review session. This helps me work through the problem so that I can better understand the process, rather than just looking at the answer in the back of the textbook.

[705512695]

Awesome tips ! I really got into those textbook questions more this week.

[Sarah Huh 1K]

Thank you for these great tips!

[LexyDenaburg_3A]

The textbook problems are very helpful for me!!

[Brianne Conway 1D]

What seems to work the best for me personally is redoing textbook problems, going over homework problems, watching Khan Academy videos as review, and rewatching Lavelle's lectures and/or rereading the textbook for certain topics I don't feel too confident on. Hope this helps and good luck on the final!

[Levon Grigoryan]

Textbook Problems are essential, but what also helps is printing out tests from the previous years and doing them, maybe time yourself and try to be fast and efficient. Maybe even rewatch lectures on topics you are struggling with. The final will be easier in my opinion because we have a longer time to complete it.

[305614361]

My tip would be to watch a lot of review videos like on youtube or Khan academy

[Kyla Villarama 1E]

Like everyone else said, textbook problems are important to review! If I don't understand something I tend to rewatch a lecture or videos on youtube. Good luck to everyone on their finals :)