How to Succeed
in
First Year Chemistry
by
Dr. Wendy Keeney-Kennicutt
Associate Director,
First Year Chemistry Program
1. School is your job.
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The old axiom: study 3 hours
outside of class for every 1 credit
hour.
Therefore,
12 hour courseload
= 36 hour study time/week
Total school time per week
= 12 + 36 = 48 hours
(This isn’t high school anymore.)
2
Keeney-Kennicutt,
Department of
Chemistry, TAMU
2. GO TO CLASS!
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Nothing can replace the
experience of “being” there –
o
o
o
o
o
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The explanations
The demos
The in-class quizzes
Announcements
Hints for the exams
You can get the notes from
friends, the web or go to tutors,
but it’s not the same.
Read before class
Keeney-Kennicutt,
Department of
Chemistry, TAMU
3. Don’t be afraid of your
professor
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Ask questions in class – sit in the
“magic T” (the front middle
section) to minimize the “fear”
factor
Visit your prof before or after class
and during office hours
Send her/him e-mails
Get to know your prof – you may
be asking for letters of
recommendation in the future!
Keeney-Kennicutt,
Department of
Chemistry, TAMU
4. Take advantage of all
FREE help.
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TA Office Hours in Rm 116 HELD
(8:30-12:30 & 1:30-4:30 daily
Friday closes at 12:30pm)
SI Sessions
Prof Office Hours & Review
Sessions
All info on the web page:
www.chem.tamu.edu/class/fyp
Keeney-Kennicutt,
Department of
Chemistry, TAMU
5. The Web Pages
You will find on your prof’s page:
o
o
o
o
o
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Sample exam questions (generic)
(Some profs put their old exams
on)
A way to check grades on the web
Math Review
Class notes, syllabi, good info (my
page has notes for both Chem
101 and 102)
Links to tutorials/help
Keeney-Kennicutt,
Department of
Chemistry, TAMU
6. Lab Web Page
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On the lab web page for each
prof:
o Hints on doing well in lab
o List of the TAs and e-mail
addresses
o Make-Up Policy & form
o AGAIN – link to the math review
– all TAs deduct points for
incorrect significant figures
Keeney-Kennicutt,
Department of
Chemistry, TAMU
7. How to do well in lab
(1/4 of grade)
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Give yourself enough time to
read the lab, complete the prelab,
report form and postlab so you
can get help. Don’t wait until the
hour before lab starts!
Come prepared to lab –
Remember safety goggles and
correct attire.
Do your own work – Academic
dishonesty is a serious offense.
It’s OK to work together, just use
your own data and your own
words.
Keeney-Kennicutt,
Department of
Chemistry, TAMU
7. (cont.) How to do well in
lab
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9
Listen to your TA during
recitation & ask questions
Visit your TA during office hours
Make copies of prelabs, report
forms and postlabs. You may not
get them back in time to study for
quizzes.
Lab quizzes do reflect the theory
and calculations done in lab.
Some profs also include lecture
material.
Keeney-Kennicutt,
Department of
Chemistry, TAMU
8. What Else?
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Try to recognize EARLY if you are
having trouble with Chemistry.
There is lots of help available –
but you have to know that you
need it. Don’t be afraid to ask for
help.
If you are having personal
problems, visit with your prof
and/or see me (I’m a TAMU
Mentor) ASAP in Room 116C
HELD.
Keeney-Kennicutt,
Department of
Chemistry, TAMU