How to Ace First Year Chemistry (or at least make a high B) : Dr. Saundra Y. McGuire
Director, Center for Academic Success
Adjunct Professor of Chemistry
Louisiana State University
How to Ace First Year Chemistry (or at least make a high B)
Requirements for Acing Chemistry 101/102 : Requirements for Acing Chemistry 101/102 Mastery of Chem Concepts
(not rote memorization!)
Realistic Study Schedule
Effective Use of Resources (office hours, Help Desk, etc.)
Managing Anxiety
Why 101/102 is Harder Than HS Chemistry : Why 101/102 is Harder Than HS Chemistry The course moves a lot faster
The material is conceptually more difficult and cumulative
The problems are more involved
The tests are less straightforward and require you to apply concepts
Slide4 : Judgment: the ability to
make decisions and support
views; requires understanding of values Synthesis Analysis Identification of component parts; determination of
arrangement, logic, semantics Application Use of information to solve problems; transfer of abstract
or theoretical ideas to practical situations. Interpretation Identification of connections and relationships Translation Restatement in your own words; paraphrase; summary Recall Verbatim information; memorization with no evidence of understanding Evaluation Combination of information to form a unique
product; requires creativity and originality
Slide5 : STUDENTS WITH GPA OF 3.7 OR HIGHER Studied over 30 hours per week outside of class
Reviewed material prior to class
Stayed 1-2 chapters ahead in the text
Reviewed notes after class
Visited professor/instructor/tutor regularly
Studied in small groups (3-5 people) several times per week
Asked questions, asked questions, asked questions!!!
Slide6 : STUDENTS WITH A GPA OF 2.0 OR LESS Studied 8-12 hours per week out of class
Did not review material prior to class
Stayed 1-2 chapters behind in reading
Rarely asked questions
Rarely discussed information with instructors/classmates/friends
In effect, were still in high school FOUR YEAR STUDY, R. B. LANDIS, CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, 1995
So, What Can You Do Now? : So, What Can You Do Now? Spend more time studying chemistry
(at least 9 hours per week)
Aim for 100% understanding
Use the Help Desk and office hours
Use the Continuous Process of Learning and Intense Study Sessions
Study Smarter for Chemistry
Use Efficient Study Strategies When You Study Chemistry ! : Use Efficient Study Strategies When You Study Chemistry ! Study SMARTER, not HARDER
Slide9 : Continuous Process of Learning Phase One: Read or preview chapters to be covered in class… before class (Create chapter maps)
Phase Two: Go to Class. Listen actively, take notes, participate in class
Phase Three: Review and process class notes as soon as possible after class
Phase Four: Incorporate Intense Study Sessions
Repeat
Slide10 :
Intense Study Sessions 5 minutes: Set goals for next 40 min.
40 minutes: Read text more selectively/highlight
Make doodles/notes in margins
Create mnemonics, work examples
Create maps
5 minutes Review what you have just studied
10 minutes Take a break
Repeat
Get the Most Out of Lecture : Get the Most Out of Lecture
Arrive early
Actively participate
Review notes soon after class
Rework all example problems done in class
Slide12 : Average Retention for Learning Activities
(Source: National Training Laboratories, Bethel, ME) 20%
Audio-Visual 30%
Demonstration 50%
Discussion Group
75%
Practice by Doing
90%
Teach Others/Immediate Use of Learning
5%
Lecture 10%
Reading
Get the Most Out of Homework : Get the Most Out of Homework Start the problems early--the day they are assigned
Do not flip back to see example problems; work them yourself!
Don’t give up too soon (<15 min.)
Don’t spend too much time (>30 min.)
Get the Most from the Help Desk and Office Hours : Get the Most from the Help Desk and Office Hours Try to understand the concept or work the problem by yourself first
Come prepared to ask questions
Explain the material to the tutor or professor or study group members
Slide15 : Some other important tips - Start homework problems ONLY after reviewing, notes, working class problems, reading text.
-Work extra problems!!!
To prepare for tests, go over all problems,
especially those problems you could not solve.
-Review examples from class, and do chapter reviews.
- Keep old quizzes/tests, and ALWAYS correct returned tests.
Special Problem Solving Tips : Special Problem Solving Tips Work extra problems!!!
When working homework problems, DO NOT
flip back to look at examples in the text. Spend at least 15 minutes, but no longer than 25 minutes trying a problem before you seek assistance.
Visualize the problem situation. Draw diagrams.
Use front end – back end problem solving:
“What can I get from what I am given?”
“What do I need to get what I am trying to find?”
- Estimate the answer, if possible. Check you answer to make sure it is in the “ballpark”.
Slide17 : Chemistry 101/102 HELP DESK
At TAMU
Room 116 HELD
Mon – Thurs: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Fri: 8:30am – 12:30pm
Slide18 : ON-LINE STUDY STRATEGIES WORKSHOPS at LSU
Time Management
College Reading and NoteTaking
Managing Test Anxiety
Test Taking Strategies
Concept Mapping
Slide19 : FABULOUS WEB SITE AT Louisiana State University
WWW.CAS.LSU.EDU Study Smarter Workshops On Line
Weekly and Semester Planners
GPA Calculator
Great Links
Web Page Development
Study Strategies Sites
Graduate Exam Links (GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT)