Frustrated with chem

[raDiOnut]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hey All,

Just wondering how many of you have had a LOT of problems with chemistry (inorganic/organic) in undergrad. I'm having a heck of a time with it... I was homeschooled through high school, and I really disliked the one chem class I took. There was no lab and my Mom was my teacher...she really didn't have much of a background in chem. In freshman yr of undergrad, I took an intro chem class, did fine grade-wise, but otherwise didn't really learn much. Then, I took Inorganic chem I and I had an awful professor...his teaching style consisted of giving us crazy homework problems and asking us to do them; again, my grade was fine, but that was due mainly to take-home exams and quizzes that I could work on in groups. Now I'm finishing my sophomore yr and Inorganic II and I STILL feel like I don't know any chem. It just doesn't seem to be clicking and that's really bothering me.

I'm a bio major, spanish minor and love these areas but I just do not like chem... Anyone have any ideas on how I can get all this info to start making any sense?

raDiOnut.

 

[doctorperez]

The truth is you will have to start from the beginning, I recomend a book called "Chemistry made easy". That ought to help. best wishes.

 

[futuredo32]

First of all, I bet you learned more than you think you did. If you're worried about knowing chemistry for the MCAT, I would either suggest taking a Kaplan or TPR review course or buying onr of their test prep books. I took Kaplan's course several years after I took my last chemistry course and it really helped to refresh my memory and also it taught the basics, from the beginning. Alternatively, if you feel that isn't the option you want to pursue, how about taking a really basic chemistry course from a local community college?
Good Luck!🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

 

[Blackstars]

raDiOnut, try the website www.thinkwell.com and purchase their Chemistry lecture CD, I admit is a bit expensive. It will make you want to switch your major to chemistry, I used it and my chem I and II classes and aced both of them. my $0.2

 

[raDiOnut]

Thanks for the input. I think I might look into the thinkwell chemistry program. I think I know what I'll be doing this Summer...

raDiOnut

 

[phar]

here is a tip......chemistry is not tough at all.....

1)Study at least 2hrs a day for your chemistry
2)do every freaken problem at the end of chapter
3)Make frequent visits to your porfessor(they are paid for thier office hours)...ask him/her all the questions that you have difficulty in. Sometimes, ask him questions(that you already know the answer) because he/she may have an easier way of knowing the answer.
4)Chemistry builds up upon the basic concepts(so make sure you know them like drinking water.,..how many ways can you drink water?...so how many ways can you answer the basic chemistry concept?)
5)Chemistry also needs memory work...so work on achieving great memory skills.
6)Try to study with your chemistry classmates..don't be hesistant in answering a question that you do not know...always answer even if it is wrong and stupid answer.....that is learning
7) Make fun of chemistry topics.....you will always remember fun things..right?

hope that helps.

 

[Blackstars]

Hey Phar, I wouldn't say chemistry is easy. It is hard, but a learnable subject. I agree with you on the 2 hour daily study routine, and doing all the problems in the back of the book.

 

[raDiOnut]

WELL,

2 hrs a day....yep, that would be fantastic. I really am going to try.

As far as making fun of the topics goes -- well, I can handle that alright. I'm infamous in bio for my *ahem* interesting ways of studying, like comparing spliceosomes to a lyposuction. I've found over the years that I learn best when I can see diagrams and resketch them -- that's easy to do with biology, but there really aren't quite so many interesting things to sketch in chem. Perhaps that is partially why it doesn't hold my interest.

I have pretty good memorization skills...no prob there.

I do visit with my professor frequently, but assuredly not enough. I hear there's also such a thing as a chem tutor who's usually bored because no one talks to him...

Anyway, I know I have a lot of work to do, and I guess all I can do is buckle down and get to it -- with a regular study schedule. thanks and keep the comments coming, por favor.

raDiOnut