Advanced Placement Chemistry Study Skills How to succeed in AP chemistry (or at least pass) Obtained from Brian P. Hogan, PhD, Assistant Professor, UNC Chemistry Modified by Iris Payan, PhD, AP Chem Teacher, Hollywood Hills High School, Hollywood, Florida Step 1: Be a scholar Need to accept the academic challenge of learning chemistry Requires persistence, concentration, discipline, patience, and lots of practice Someday your high school knowledge will run out…then what? Accept the fact that you are wholly responsible for the learning adventure Step 2: Know the course structure Know how the instructor structures the course (chapters, grading, office hours, problem sets, free help, etc) Are lecture notes provided or do you have to take notes? Is the text relied upon heavily? Where do the in-class examples come from? Step 3: Look over the forest before the trees from the start Look over: Topics in course syllabus Table of contents in your text The preface of your book to see how chapters are organized The learning objectives—tables, graphs, word lists, terminology, appendices, etc Step 4: Become a “mathaholic” All chemistry is quantitative—we like to put numbers (and units) on things Review basic math and algebra before and during your class. Refresh ideas like: Addition, subtraction, mult., div., fractions, percent, exponents, algebra and logarithms Be honest with yourself about any math deficiencies—seek help…fast! Step 5: Master the basics early • • • • • • Metric system (length, mass, volume, SI units) Sig figs Temperature (F, C, and K) Scientific notation Dimensional analysis Chemical symbols and names of ~40 most commonly used elements • Common ions and ionic/molecular substances Example A one degree of temperature difference is smallest on the _______scale Step 6: Learn and practice the terminology and symbols of chemistry Write out definitions in your own words. Recite them. Do same with symbols. Use index cards if this helps. Learn the names and chemical formulas of the examples used frequently as examples as you go through each chapter. Build on these to create a personal “lexicon of familiarity” Learn to love the PERIODIC TABLE Step 7: Memorize only what is needed “Never memorize anything you can look up” Ask instructor what will be provided on an exam. Which formulas? Periodic table? Common ions? Enthalpies of formation? This does not override your duty to familiarize yourself with common molecules, etc. Step 8: Problem solving • Make problem solving part of every study session. Work at least 10 problems/session. • Work assigned problems and the solved problems in the chapter. Work problems everyday (or at least 5 days/week) • Do the problem to the best of your ability, then go to the resource/solution manual • Familiarity with how to attack problems is critical to taking an exam like a champ. • Know how to use your calculator!!!! Step 9: Launch the assault with purpose and a plan Don’t try to do 3 chapters of problems, then read the 3 chapters, then review 3 chapters of notes. Chip away at the iceberg of knowledge Pick a section of a chapter, 2.1-2.3, then read your notes, then the text, then do the corresponding problems Step 10: Use outside resources • • • • • • Study Guide The internet Local library After school in room 152 (Dr. Payan) Peer tutoring with other AP Students Another chemistry text—it hasn’t changed much in 20 years. Step 11: Do not fear the “hairy equation”—look for the concept D = m/V, PV = nRT, E = mC2: not so bad 1 Hairy: 18 1 E Ef Ei hν 2.18 x10 J 2 2 n n i f A= Her age at time of marriage E=Current combined years of post-high-school education K= Number of kids from this marriage R= How religious is the couple (1-10 with 10 being “the Pope”) D= Combined number of divorces of couple’s parents P= Combined previous marriages T= Years at which you are computing the chances Step 12: Be an active reader Read each chapter slowly and actively. This requires making notes in the margins and looking at figures and tables. Reading 20 pages of chemistry is ≠ 20 pages of poetry Work the problems in the chapter and the examples. Read, write, be active Step 13: Come to class Despite all attempts to predict academic performance based on SAT scores, ACT, race, sex, etc…all have failed except ATTENDANCE. Come to class and be an active listener and notetaker. If that means waking up at 6:30 and going to bed at 10:30, then so be it. Do not fall behind. Missing class and not working problems will haunt you, and will almost guarantee failure. Step 14: Schedule your time • You are responsible for your education—it’s the one thing people want to pay more for and get less of. • Prioritize your studying. If chem is the most difficult course for you, study it first. • Pick a time when you are fresh and devote 20-30 mins to chem before a break. • Make a calendar of your studying. Stick to it. You may miss the Heels, but you’ll still be a Heel at the end of the semester. Step 15: Take the exam like a champ • Get at least 6 hours of sleep the night before. Organize your studying so this is a reality (no cramming) • Be confident, calm, clear, alert and positive on exams. Identify concepts and problems you can easily solve and move on. • Remember: 1 exam does not a college course or career make. You can recover from one bad day. REMEMBER…. • …We are all average in our own special way! • The grade you make in chemistry does not define your intellectual ability or you as a person. • Do not think your professor thinks less of you because you scored below average on the exam. • Look over what you got wrong and make sure you can get it right…you’ll see it again on the final. • STUDENTS WHO TAKE AN AP LEVEL COURSE ARE BETTER PREPARE FOR COLLEGE CLASSES THAN THOSE WHO DO NOT, EVEN IF THEY DO NOT PASS THE AP EXAM.