Advice for Study Success

Study Strategies for your Chemistry Class

Before lecture:

• Read the relevant textbook chapter. This should be a relaxed reading, a mere perusal. The idea here is to gain a rough idea of what to expect in lecture. Even just flipping through the chapter and reading a few headings, intro paragraphs and picture captions can help a lot.
• Review your notes from the last lecture. What were the main points from the last lecture? Where did we leave off? Where were we headed?
• Lecture should never be a surprise! Use your schedule, your notes and your text to determine the next lecture’s content. If in doubt, ask! You need to be prepared for lecture.

During lecture:

• Take notes. Don't focus only on what is written on the board/screen.
• Ask questions. If something is unclear to you, it's likely that other students are also confused. Also, make note of any questions that occur to you during lecture but are not directly relevant to the lecture material. Always ask your questions at some point.

After lecture:

• As soon as possible after each lecture, re-work and expand your notes in consultation with your textbook, study partners, tutors, etc.
• Read the relevant chapter of the textbook again! This reading should be a detailed reading. Make sure to read the sample problems and answer the 'Study Checks' provided for each section.
• Use the homework problems to take you through the chapter. Do several homework problems daily.

Other tips:

• Studying is a skill. Work on it. Lots of excellent studying advice can be found online at http://www.studygs.net/.
• Avoid frustration. Don't work too long on one problem. Work on something else until you can get help – use my office hours, talk with your lab instructor, seek help from peers and tutors. (This is only useful if you don't leave everything until the last minute).
• Recognize the learning value of laboratory time. You are in a smaller group and in a question-friendly environment. Make use of this time.
• Form study groups. Exchange phone numbers/email addresses with classmates.
• Ask for help if you need it! Office hours, tutors, peers …
• Remind yourself that this information will be needed in the future.
• Take one day at a time. Do something for this class everyday.
• Remember that this can be done, others have done it, others thought it was hard, others hated it at times, and others have been SUCCESSFUL!