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
Requirements for Acing
Chemistry 101/102
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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
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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
Combination of
information to form a
unique
product; requires
creativity and originality
Use of information
to solve problems;
transfer of abstract
or theoretical ideas
to practical
situations.
Restatement in your
own words;
paraphrase; summary
Evaluation
Judgment: the ability to
make decisions and support
views; requires
understanding of values
Synthesis
Identification of
component parts;
determination of
arrangement, logic,
semantics
Analysis
Application
Interpretation
Translation
Recall
Identification of
connections and
relationships
Verbatim information;
memorization with no
evidence of understanding
STUDENTS WITH
GPA OF 3.7 OR
HIGHER
 Studied over 30 hours per week outside of class
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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!!!
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?
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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 !
Study SMARTER, not HARDER
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:
Repeat
Incorporate Intense Study Sessions
Intense Study Sessions
 5 minutes:
 40 minutes:
Set goals for next 40 min.
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
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Arrive early
Actively participate
Review notes soon after class
Rework all example problems
done in class
Average Retention for
Learning Activities
5%
Lecture
(Source: National Training
Laboratories, Bethel, ME)
10%
Reading
20%
Audio-Visual
30%
Demonstration
50%
Discussion Group
75%
Practice by Doing
90%
Teach Others/Immediate Use of Learning
Get the Most Out of Homework
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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
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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
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
- Work extra problems!!!
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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.
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Visualize the problem situation. Draw diagrams.
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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?”
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Estimate the answer, if possible. Check you answer
to make sure it is in the “ballpark”.
Chemistry 101/102 HELP DESK
At TAMU
Room 116 HELD
Mon – Thurs: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Fri:
8:30am – 12:30pm
ON-LINE STUDY STRATEGIES
WORKSHOPS at LSU
Time Management
College Reading and NoteTaking
Managing Test Anxiety
Test Taking Strategies
Concept Mapping
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)