help im not doing well in the chemistry course what do i do

by Mckenna Bednar 4 min read

Most general chemistry classes in college are the same way, though there may be less opportunity to make up for a bad beginning. Ask about extra work. Ask about extra credit. Ask if there is any chance to re-do past assignments. Teachers usually respect an honest effort, even if you made a late start of it.

How To Study for Chemistry
  1. Review and Study Material Before Going to Class. ...
  2. Seek Understanding. ...
  3. Take Good Notes. ...
  4. Practice Daily. ...
  5. Take Advantage of Lab Time. ...
  6. Use Flashcards. ...
  7. Use Study Groups. ...
  8. Break Large Tasks Into Smaller Ones.

Full Answer

What should I do if I fail chemistry?

Answer (1 of 3): I took chem in both high school and college. In both cases, I didn't enjoy those classes at all. I struggled hard just to pull out Cs. I was upset with my performance, but I figured only a small percent of my career in Robotics was going to include actual chemistry. It turned o...

What should I do if I am confused in chemistry class?

Make sure that you can apply the main concepts of each section before the next exam. A good way to see if you are applying concepts rather than memorizing them is by checking to see if you can explain WHY to every step you’re doing in a problem. Also make sure to finish any extra practice problems offered in section and on the lab-write-ups.

How do I get better at chemistry?

Add more time to your study session and the brain zones out and muscle memory takes over. When you are finished, reward yourself with a short break. Make sure to get up and move around a little bit, and maybe have a snack if you need a boost. When you return to studying choose a different topic to work on.

Should I look at the answer key when working chemistry problems?

A key to learning and studying chemistry is practice. Completing practice problems, solving equations, working formulas, etc. should be a core feature of your daily study routine. That's right, daily study routine. You should spend a little time each day (1 hour) studying chemistry if you want to learn it and stay at the top of your game.

What to do if you are struggling with chemistry?

Steps to TakeTalk to Your Instructor. This should be the very first thing you do because nearly all of the options for minimizing the damage involve your teacher. ... Keep Doing Your Homework. ... Keep Attending Lectures and Labs. ... Take Notes. ... Get Someone Else's Notes. ... Try a Different Text. ... Work Problems.

How do you pass well in chemistry?

Get to the exam early enough that you have time to get organized and relax.Write Down What You Know. Don't risk drawing a blank when confronted with a calculation! ... Read the Instructions. Read the instructions for the test! ... Preview the Test. ... Read Each Question Completely. ... Answer Questions You Know. ... Show Your Work.

Why is learning chemistry so hard?

The primary reason chemistry is so hard is because of the topic progression. You really have to fully understand several topics before you can fully understand other topics. It's important to keep in mind, memorization isn't the key here. There's a certain element of memorization.

How do you not fail chemistry?

Be Smart on TestsDon't cram for a test. Don't put yourself in a position where you have to stay up all night studying. ... Get sleep before a test. Eat breakfast. ... Read through the test before answering any questions. ... Be sure to answer the high-point questions. ... Review returned tests.

How can I teach myself chemistry?

You can self learn chemistry by reading a variety of chemistry books. The best chemistry books will help you understand the periodic table, chemical reactions, and chemical formulas. Additionally, you can learn the basic and advanced concepts of chemistry by taking online courses.

Is chemistry or biology harder?

Chemistry is more difficult than Biology because it requires critical thinking to solve complex problems. Chemistry is also more difficult than Biology because it requires more math and calculations to explain solutions to problems.

Which is harder physics or chemistry?

Physics is slightly harder than chemistry because it is more math-oriented and has more abstract concepts.

How can I study chemistry in one day?

2:395:53How to study Chemistry in one day - to score the maximum marks!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBe sure to know all the formulas. Exactly okay and commit them to memory. And not just that to lookMoreBe sure to know all the formulas. Exactly okay and commit them to memory. And not just that to look through the example of how they are calculated.

What is the hardest subject?

The hardest degree subjects are Chemistry, Medicine, Architecture, Physics, Biomedical Science, Law, Neuroscience, Fine Arts, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Education, Computer Science and Philosophy. Let's dive right in, and look at why these subjects are the hardest degree subjects.

Why do students fail chemistry?

Many students have a negative impression of chemistry and think that it pulls down their grade point averages. They also seem to have an inherent dislike for the subject. Therefore, even though they like science, they try their best to stay away from chemistry.

How can I pass my chemistry exam without studying?

12 Study Hacks to pass exams without studyingFind the right workplace.Make the most use of your time.Assemble your requirements properly to avoid distractions.Compile all your notes.Avoid cramming for long hours. Take breaks!Prioritize and work accordingly.Talk to someone around you.Plan as per your requirement.More items...

What percentage of college students fail chemistry?

Failure rates of 50% and more in general chemistry courses have been reported by certain institutions (Chambers, 2005; Gafney and Varma-Nelson, 2008).

How to learn chemistry?

Chemistry is not a class you cram for on the last day. Be prepared to study. Take responsibility for your learning. If you are confused, let your instructor know this. Don't be afraid to ask for help. View chemistry class as an opportunity rather than a chore. Find something you like about chemistry and focus on that.

How to be successful in chemistry class?

View chemistry class as an opportunity rather than a chore. Find something you like about chemistry and focus on that. Having a positive attitude can be a key to your success.

How to study for a test?

Be Smart on Tests. You need to know the information covered by tests, but it's also important to study for tests and take them the right way. Don't cram for a test. Don't put yourself in a position where you have to stay up all night studying. Keep up in class and study a little every day. Get sleep before a test.

What is the surest route to passing chemistry?

Working problems are the surest route to passing chemistry.

How to write down a problem?

Write down what you are trying to answer in a problem. Write down all the facts that you are given. Sometimes seeing what you know written down this way will help you recall the method for obtaining the solution.

How to perform better on a test?

Get sleep before a test. Eat breakfast. You'll perform better if you are energized.

What is the meaning of "putting off studying for a test until the night before"?

Putting off studying for a test until the night before, writing up labs the night before they are due, working problems the same day they are due. Skipping class. Only attending class on quiz days or leaving early. Relying on someone else to take notes.

Why do some people understand chemistry better than others?

However, one of the reasons why some people might understand more easily than others, might partly be because they are maths driven people. Since chemistry involves calculations, especially with stoichiometry and measurements it might be a little bit easier for them to get their head

Do hated subjects make you get good grades?

However, going on with subjects you hate is unlikely to result in good grades.

Is it easy to make grammatical mistakes?

Grammatical mistakes can be easy to make. But fear not! Our team at Grammarly has compiled a handy list of common grammatical errors to help make your writing accurate, clear, and(Continue reading)

Is chemistry a hard subject?

I have personally studied the subject as a major in both high school and in university and know some people who are good at the subject struggle getting their head around difficult concepts at first. So I would say that the subject is a hard subject for most people.

Why do we debrief on exams?

Debriefing the exam helps you indentify the conceptual gaps that you need to relearn versus errors that may have resulted from test stress or a misreading of a question.

How to get better at reviewing material?

Ask questions about the lecture and section material. If you are reviewing material on your own write these questions down. If you can answer them on your own, great! If you are stuck, then take them along with you to office hours or a study group. Then you won’t forget and you’ll make sure you get a more thorough understanding of everything.

Why do lab sections matter?

Lab Sections really do matter. Sections are constructed to highlight and guide you through particularly important concepts and chemical phenomena. Make sure that you can apply the main concepts of each section before the next exam.

What is the first step in coming up with an efficient study strategy?

One of the first steps in coming up with an efficient study strategy is to assess what - in all of the things you are doing to study - seems to help you the most? What gave you the most confidence? If there are some things that you are already comfortable with, perhaps spend less time reviewing those and more time on concepts that are still challenging.

What does it mean when you review problem sets together?

When you review problem sets together, instead of just understanding how to approach that specific problem, see if you can come up with several different ways we could have asked other questions about that system. Is there a different parameter we could ask you to solve for? How would the problem change under different conditions? This will help you to think about and practice different problem solving strategies.

Why aren't all the courses directed readings?

There is a reason these courses are not directed readings: all the parts – practice problems, reading, lecture, section, labs, office hours, studying on your own or with friends, tutoring– work best when you use them together.

Do practice problems make you a better problem solver?

Just doing lots of practice problems will not necessarily make you a better problem solver. You will never see an exam problem that looks exactly like a practice problem, so doing every problem possible is not a good strategy.

How to stay focused during a study session?

Avoid cramming! As humans, we cannot sustain focus for more than an hour. And if you force yourself into long study sessions, it will cause your brain to fatigue and you will end up wasting your time. Also, keep track of how much time you’re spending checking Facebook, halfheartedly going over your notes, and generally being unproductive, especially if it is a topic you already find a little boring. Those minutes add up quickly! It is better to keep study sessions short and intense. Break off an achievable amount of work, eliminate distractions from your study area, and attack your material for 30-45 minutes. This is the realistic amount of time that you can expect to stay mentally engaged on a single topic. Add more time to your study session and the brain zones out and muscle memory takes over.

How to prioritize assignments?

By simply listing and organizing all your assignments into a schedule will make them seem much more approachable and help you to prioritize how you spend your study time. If you are still having trouble finding a place to start, remember to give yourself more time for bigger projects and try to get the assignments that you want to do least out of the way early in the week.

Is it hard to know if you are studying chemistry?

It’s hard to tell from the outside how effectively a student is spending their time studying chemistry. The trouble is—that it’s easy to go through the motions of coming to class, reading assigned text, and doing homework without ever thinking deeply about why you are doing those things. It’s important to remember that if you are not engaged with the material while studying chemistry, you are wasting your time.

How to learn chemistry?

Practice Daily. A key to learning and studying chemistry is practice. Completing practice problems, solving equations, working formulas, etc. should be a core feature of your daily study routine. That's right, daily study routine. You should spend a little time each day (1 hour) studying chemistry if you want to learn it and stay at the top ...

What is the best way to learn chemistry?

Studying your chemistry assignments, readings, and material before going to each class is one of the most effective strategies for learning chemistry.

Why is it important to take notes when studying chemistry?

Note taking also forces you to write things down. The formulas and equations you'll be introduced to as you study chemistry will be far easier to remember and understand after you've written them down.

Why do we need study groups in chemistry?

Using a well-organized study group is a great way to tackle learning any challenging subject, including chemistry. Study groups allow chemistry students to share their insights with one another, exchange ideas, explain difficult concepts to one another, teach what they've learned, share notes, study for exams, and cover more material. The following are tips for forming effective study groups.

Why do people struggle with chemistry?

The number one reason people struggle with chemistry is that they don't approach it the right way. Below we'll explore proven strategies and techniques that will, if applied, improve your ability to study and learn chemistry.

What to do if you get a problem wrong?

If you get a problem wrong, work it again on paper until you're able to get it correct. Make sure you understand each step of the problem and why it is necessary. Once you've been able to figure out the problem, find another problem of the same type and work it. Continue to do so until you thoroughly understand the concept being taught.

When working chemistry problems, don't look at the answer key?

When working chemistry problems, don't look at the answer key unless (1) you've been able to work out the answer or (2) are completely stumped. Before looking at the answer, ask for help understanding how to work the problem from a study companion, teacher's aide or your instructor. Re-read your textbook to gain understanding and clarification.

How many semesters of chemistry before DAT?

Take the W. Realize though that normally chemistry is the rate limiting factor in DAT prep. 4 semesters of chemistry (concurrent with all your other science classes) before you take the DAT before you apply....so don't put off chemistry. Plan ahead a few years the summer that you'll apply to DS. It's probably best if you take the DAT soon after finishing Ochem II .

Will the F kill you?

Yes, they will. They like seeing upward trends. One F will not kill you. But in the grand scheme of things, a W is better than an F.

Does bumping it serve any purpose?

It is very likely that it does not need any further discussion and thus bumping it serves no purpose.

Is it just me or does college feel like a waiting room?

I know what I want to do in life. I know where I want to be. I know what to do to get there. College a lot of the time feels like jumping through hoops for the sake of hoops. Do you agree? and if so how have you combated this feeling? If you don't agree what makes college the best use of your time?

Online Classes are doing way too much in trying to prevent cheating

I generally enjoy online classes, even prefer them. However, over the past few semesters I've noticed the evolution of anti-cheat measures and they're just getting ridiculous.

Accidentally fell asleep way earlier than my bedtime and holy moly, I woke up feeling amazing

Usually I fall asleep at around 11:30 and wake up at 7; thought that was a decent night's sleep compared to other college students😂 but I always woke up kinda tired/groggy. Anyways, yesterday I went to sleep at 10, and my goodness I feel so energetic right now, definitely sleeping at that time lol

Super irritated

I am starting college later than the usual 17/18 year olds so I may be wrong here, but college feels more like high school THAN HIGH SCHOOL! I am constantly in communication with professors because they practically baby sit our work by requiring notes as a grade...

Someone in my class just died

I was just scrolling through my phone when I get an email from one of our deans. I saw the words "We are deeply saddened..."and at the point I just assumed an alum, or an old faculty member passed away. Then I click on the email and I see that a member of my class had apparently died on an off campus car accident. Gone. Just like that.

Failed my Chemistry Class, Am I doomed for Medical School?

I'm currently a Freshman, soon to be Sophomore, in college and I'm in a bit of a pickle. I didn't so very well in my general chemistry course and I believe I failed it. I've wanted to be a Doctor/Psychiatrist for as long as I can remember since I was a little girl...I've never wanted something so badly in my life.

Re: Failed my Chemistry Class, Am I doomed for Medical Schoo

Psychiccookie, I assume this was your first semester of chemistry. I am guessing that there are some people who managed to get into medical school having failed a science class early on in college. However, I think that is extremely rare. I think a lot depends on why you failed the class.

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