CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

hi guys!

my question is about what you all seem to find is the best studying strategy for this class.
so far i've been watching youtube videos along with just taking notes during lecture and reading/doing hw problems from the textbook, but i'm curious to see what other methods people use to study

thank you!

I feel that looking over the modules posted on the website after having a lecture on the topic also helps to strengthen my knowledge of the material.

It really depends on what you are used to and what you find as most effective through trial and error. I personally will do more practice problems than assigned, go over YouTube videos, modules, and the post assignment quizzes. Still trying to better improve my strategies as times goes on but I think this is a good place to start when studying for Chemistry!

I definitely would suggest watching the modules and doing the pre and post assessments)

Actually in preparation for this course i went over all the notes i took during AP Chemistry and reviewed them because it has been a while since ive done chemistry. Im also a pretty visual learner so i would suggest looking at the modules and reading the textbook who explains the problems pretty well. you can also look at videos on youtubes such as Tyler DeWitt who helped me throughout AP Chem.

I definitely think the modules are a great way to preview the material from the textbook and to test yourself! I personally like to take notes on the specific topic from the textbook and make mind maps to see how well I've retained the information. Hope that helps!

For me, reading the textbook definitely helps clarify the concepts that Professor Lavelle goes over in class. The practice problems are also great review and pretty much solidify the material.

I read the textbook for sections we cover in class as a way to supplement lectures and clear up anything I don't completely understand during lecture. Aside from watching his audio-visual focus modules, Khan Academy can be a great resource.

I think the best way to study is to jump right in. Attend peer review sessions/ office hours because just being around the material more will make you more familiar with it so you can understand it more. Another thing I think that is good to do is just practice. Do all the listed homework problems and challenge yourself by doing the harder ones. This is what has worked for me so far and I think in general just jumping right in is the best way to learn.

I find personally that the best way to study is to complete the modules before anything, they are a great introduction and really help me grasp the concept that is being presented. Next I'll give a go at the homework problems that were assigned and if I have any problems with those I will do more problems like it, and review the relevant lectures. If that still doesn't help I review the modules, and usually I am able to complete and understand what I am learning.

I study best by doing all the problems in the syllabus (or at least run through them so I know how to do them). I also suggest going through the book or watching the modules and taking the most important notes (like a 1 page cram sheet).

Doing a lot of practice problems in the textbook and doing the post module assessments really helps me get comfortable with the concepts.

Watching the learning modules along with Youtube videos which help me better understand how to apply the concepts discussed in Lectures. Also do plenty of practice problems from the textbook!

Personally, doing the online modules, reading the book, and doing all of the homework problems listed in the outline have helped me the best.

I think the most useful way to study is to first complete the modules and then work on the homework problems that go over the questions you encountered throughout the module.

Doing practice problems and lessons on Khan Academy has helped me so far! I also find that explaining concepts to others or having others explain to me, whether it be here or in person, really helps me to truly understand the concepts. Discussing each other's confusion and seeing things from another person's POV can be really useful.

I attended a step-up session and it really helped reinforce important topics that will appear on tests and midterms. I highly recommend it!

I use the modules to review class material, which is pretty helpful if you prefer learning at a slower pace (since you can pause the video and take notes), I also recommend attending step-up sessions to review and be able to ask questions in a small group setting and doing all of the listed homework problems for each section in order to prepare for the tests!

Hi! I've found it very helpful to take lecture notes on a notepad, then the following day condensing the notes into a separate notebook. I've found it really useful in helping the information stick and it makes referring to my notes so much easier. It'll also help having a notebook full of notes for Chem 14A that I can refer to in 14B, 14C, and beyond.

Hey there! I think watching the modules online and then doing the post assessments as a form of self evaluation is really helpful. After doing that, I do all of the textbook practice problems and ensure that I understand how to work through literally all of them. The textbook excerpts can also be helpful if you like to read. Hope this helps!

I like to go through each homework problem and make sure I understand how to do every one of them! I also watch the modules.

I prefer to take handwritten knotes during lecture because I find that for classes like chem/math it is the most practical to see the problems and equations in front of you while you are studying. Also, if Dr. Lavelle ever covers anything that you don't fully understand I recommend reviewing it that same day in the textbook so you don't leave the topic to try to understand right before the midterm.

I usually look at the outline and make sure I know every topic on there.

It tends to depend on personal preferences and through trying different strategies to see which one clicks the most. Personally, what really helps me is going over youtube videos/his modules and doing many practice problems to get the routines down and know when to use which formula depending on what the question is asking. I also go over the notes that I take during class and discussion since sometimes they go a little fast, so I will write and try to get as much information down as I can during class and recap what I learned later in the day.

First, I like to go through practice problems and make a list of topics I am confused about. Sometimes I also rewrite my notes from lecture and try to explain it to others since it helps to talk through it out loud.

2 words...

KAHN. ACADEMY.

especially for equilibrium and acids and bases!!

I always find it easy to do as many practice problems as I can. Be sure to expose yourself to different kinds of problems. It is always helpful to go to worshops or step-ups.

I would try to go over all the homework problems and take notes on parts of the textbook that were a little more challenging conceptually. Also, I think it's really helpful to go to the workshops since they give out worksheets with more challenging questions that may come up on tests.

I usually just review my notes until I understand the concepts. Then go through the suggested problems in the syllabus and make sure I can do all of them.

I read the textbook after the lectures to make sure I really grasp what he wants us to know and then I do the homework problems. The modules are also extremely helpful because you can pause/slow down the video lecture to make you understand the concepts.

I recommend completing the practice problems listed on the syllabus. Even though we are only require to complete 5 per week, I find that doing as many as possible ensures a well rounded understanding and preparation for potential exam questions.

I use khan academy as another resource when I feel like I did not grasp the concept fully. It provides extra support and practice problems !

I was going over the chapters in the textbook and I realized that Dr. Lavelle didn't go over some topics. Do we still need to know these or will only the content he introduces us in class be on the tests?

Read the textbook and find other people in the class! Office hours help too!

Practice problems and retaking the notes you took during lecture, to really grasp the content

I look over lecture notes + read through the textbook and do practice problems.

I find that going through all the suggested practice problems on the syllabus works best for me. I work through as many problems as I can and also go to some of the workshops provided.

So far, I've been reviewing the modules on Lavelle's website and worked on all of the homework problems listed on the class syllabus.

I like doing as many of the practice problems as I can and reviewing the modules. Practice makes perfect! As a side note, perfection is ultimately unobtainable. But practice is still always a good time.

Adding on to most of these replies, I am honestly still figuring out on the approach to study and truly learn the material. The biggest thing that has helped me is making flash cards (for me I have one flash cards) of putting down formulas, what their variables, and experiment means. It has helped on flipping through pages, and it's better for me to memorize instead of going back through my notes or the textbook. While learning the fundamentals, I watch the module, and then did the post module assessment (honestly I did not bother going through the pre-assessment because I got lazy to press more buttons, and I did not bother putting in the work for the pre module assessment), then I went straight into the textbook and do all of the exercises and the homework problems that show up on the syllabus that correspond to the textbook exercises. I am not big on Youtube videos because I get distracted easily on Youtube.

Hi!
I read and take textbook notes in advance before Dr. Lavelle’s lectures. It helps me reinforce the topics while he is talking about them. During textbook notes and lecture I write down possible questions or confusing topics for my TA’s office hours. Throughout the week I also look at every assigned homework question and do the ones that are more complicated. The modules are also great if there is a certain topic you just can’t seem to grasp. My biggest tip is to study and review consistently even if the midterm seems far away. :)

When studying by doing practice problems from the textbook, how do you guys check if your answers are correct? For me many times I may think I got the correct answer when I really didn't.

Kennedi3K wrote:When studying by doing practice problems from the textbook, how do you guys check if your answers are correct? For me many times I may think I got the correct answer when I really didn't.

There is a solution manual for the textbook questions so you can check if you did the work correctly that way! It is very helpful

Oh wow I had no idea there was solution manual. Thanks!

I would really suggest watching the video modules and then doing the post module assessment. The videos explain the concepts really clearly and you can pause them to take notes or think through concepts. They also have clear examples of worked problems and then the assessments are really great to see how well you understood the information. I barely understand anything in lecture and then after watching the videos I am able to do all of the assessment questions!

Go to the workshops offered too!! I go to a few every week and have found that they're super helpful

I think the modules are one of the most helpful tools for me because I am able to strengthen my understanding of the topics taught in lectures. It is easy to pause or rewind the video when you are confused, and the post-assessment questions are really helpful to make sure you know how to apply the concepts.

i think attending lecture and taking good notes is a good way to study. After, review the textbook and consolidate the information into a more cohesive "cheat sheet" in order to highlight the specific topics.

I think that doing the modules before lecture, going to lecture, doing ALL homework problems, going to discussion, and then going to workshop for any remaining questions if a really good way to study. Also there are great youtube and khan academy videos on more challenging topics! Best of luck :)

Going to the review sessions is saving me!! In class I find it hard to fully understand topics sometimes because it's so fast and the class is so big. So being in a smaller review or step-up session really helps me because I get more one-on-one help and feel much less intimidated asking questions. Everyone there is there for help too so its a positive and encouraging environment. Sometimes lecture makes me feel clueless because everyone seems to get it and I don't. So being in a helpful learning environment, like the reviews, makes me feel safe, welcome and less clueless because I am not alone(:

Going to the review sessions is saving me!! In class I find it hard to fully understand topics sometimes because it's so fast and the class is so big. So being in a smaller review or step-up session really helps me because I get more one-on-one help and feel much less intimidated asking questions. Everyone there is there for help too so its a positive and encouraging environment. Sometimes lecture makes me feel clueless because everyone seems to get it and I don't. So being in a helpful learning environment, like the reviews, makes me feel safe, welcome and less clueless because I am not alone(:

currently has a 13-15 paged google doc I typed up as a study guide for our chem midterm in preparation, anyone willing to look over and add to it?

Doing all the homework definitely helped me prepare for the midterm.

Read the textbook in order to fill in gaps in your knowledge from the lecture. Once you think you know the information, then attempt the HW problems to get an accurate representation of how well you know the material.

Do every homework problem introduced, and the practice problems Dr. Lavelle posts are really good too.

The best way to study is first go through your lecture notes, read the corresponding chapters in the textbook. After all these, just practice as many problems as you can depending on what grades you want to get. Hope this helps!

I think that doing the homework problems assigned and going to the review sessions before midterms and tests are the most helpful