Chemistry; the study of the very building blocks of the universe around us. It’s a complex, fascinating subject, but one we tend to fail to appreciate if we tend to fail our exams. Instead, let’s attempt to do both the subject and your report book justice with these tips for studying chemistry.
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Read the subject before you go to class
Hit the books, kids. They don’t hit back. Teachers always advise us to read ahead of their lessons so that when they explain it in class we’d be better able to understand it. Instead of scratching your head at your teacher’s explanation and vowing to re-read your notes at home, why not give your notes a look before class begins so you’ll have a clearer idea of what to clarify with the teacher?
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Give yourself time to practice
Chemistry is not a subject you can cram for solely by memorizing key words and equations. Like any science, to truly understand how to solve a problem you’ve got to practice doing it. Avoid rushing through notes the night before an exam; it won’t work for this subject. A helpful strategy for revision is to attempt a Ten Year Series early to properly gauge how much you’ve understood. That being said, you have to remember a lot of definitions and formulae, which is where the next step comes in…
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Use study tools
Some students have found that due to the sheer thickness of chemistry notes, it’s helpful to write out certain terms, definition, chemical formulae and diagrams on post-its, flashcards or a mind map so as to make sure they’re not skimmed over when revising the whole stack of notes. Writing out these bits of information separately also help when you quiz yourself about specific definitions or diagrams.
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Try studying in groups
There’s a lot of content to cover in chemistry, some of which are easier to understand than others. Everyone has their strengths in different topics, so why not put that to use? If you study in a group, you could ask questions about topics you’re personally weaker in and you could teach your friends about topics you’re more familiar with. It’s a win-win situation, and definitely worth a try.
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Don’t be afraid to ask your teacher questions
At times they appear to be strict disciplinarians, but every teacher is there for one purpose only; to help you grow as a person. This, of course, includes helping you out when you don’t completely comprehend what’s in your textbook or if you’re unsure about how to carry out an experiment. Always voice out your confusion so the teacher doesn’t leave you behind when he’s going on at a million miles an hour. Everyone learns at a different pace, so you shouldn’t be afraid to show that you don’t understand something by raising your hand to ask a question. Allow your teacher to help you out and you’ll be acing chemistry in no time.
