Chemistry is one of those classes you either love or dread. Most reputable colleges require their undergraduate students to take at least one chemistry course as a prerequisite to graduation. If you plan on pursuing a career in medicine, engineering, or a field of natural science, then you're likely going to be required to take at least one chemistry course before you graduate.
Continually focusing on your grade takes focus away from learning chemistry. If you focus on learning chemistry, your grade will follow.
Chemistry is a challenging subject for most people, but it doesn't have to be. The number one reason people struggle with chemistry is that they don't approach it the right way. In this article, Superprof explores a few proven strategies and techniques that will, if applied, improve your ability to study and learn chemistry. Learning chemistry requires total concentration. There are no shortcuts. At the end of the day, what you learn is important. And if you learn chemistry, you'll get a good grade.
Check out how you can ace class 12 chemistry.
CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Syllabus
The new and updated curriculum is based on a disciplinary approach with rigor and depth, taking care that the syllabus is not heavy and, at the same time, it is comparable to the international level. The knowledge related to Chemistry has undergone tremendous changes during the past decade. Many new areas like synthetic materials, biomolecules, natural resources, and industrial chemistry have come in.
At the international level, new formulations and nomenclature of elements and compounds, symbols, and units of physical quantities floated by scientific bodies like IUPAC and CGPM are of immense importance. They need to be incorporated into the updated syllabus. The revised CBSE Class 12 chemistry syllabus takes care of all these aspects.
Greater emphasis has been laid on the use of new nomenclature, symbols, and formulations, the teaching of fundamental concepts, the application of concepts in chemistry to industry/ technology, logical sequencing of units, removal of obsolete content and repetition, etc. CBSE Chemistry Class 12 syllabus includes:
- Electrochemistry
- Chemical Kinetics
- d- and f -Block Elements
- Coordination Compounds
- Haloalkanes and Haloarenes
- Alcohols, Phenols, and Ethers
- Aldehydes, Ketones, and Carboxylic Acids
- Amines
- Biomolecules
Check out these friendly tips to prepare for the chemistry exam.
Tips to Ace Chemistry Lessons
Let's start with a list of common mistakes students make that sabotage their chemistry success. Engaging in one or two of these may not break you, but these are dangerous practices. Avoid them if you want to pass chemistry!
- Thinking you can learn the math prerequisites at the same time as chemistry.
- Procrastinating! Putting off studying for a test until the night before, writing up labs the night before they are due, and 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.
- Expecting the instructor to offer extra credit or to drop a low grade.
- Copying the answers to the problems from someone else or from the text (for books that give the answers).
- Thinking a good grade early on means the class will remain at the same difficulty level, or you won't need to study later.
Review and Study Material Before Class
In a traditional learning model, students arrive at class, the instructor introduces the material, expounds on relevant concepts, assigns follow-up readings and assignments, and ends class. Students are then expected to go home, review their class notes, attempt to complete assigned readings and assignments, actually learn what was taught in class (which doesn't always happen), come to class the following week with any questions they have from the previous lecture, and be ready to move on and explore new material and concepts. The problem with this model is that it's ineffective, especially with subjects and materials that are challenging to learn.
Studying your chemistry assignments, readings, and material before going to each class is one of the most effective strategies for learning chemistry.
The best way to learn chemistry is to come to each lecture after reading and studying the material presented that day. This learning method is known as the 'Flipped Classroom,' sometimes referred to as 'Class Reversed,' and it is a growing trend for teaching many subjects in schools and colleges nationwide. This model is especially effective for learning (and teaching) chemistry for several reasons. First, it gets students to come to class having already studied the material to be presented. Second, arriving at class already familiar with the subject matter, students can follow along and understand what is being taught. If students do not understand concepts from their studies, they can ask questions during the relevant lecture. Finally, classroom time is used more effectively as a learning tool. Students leave each lecture with a much better understanding of course concepts and fewer questions.
Get ahead in your chemistry classes with a private tutor on Superprof.
Focus on Understanding
As with any science, chemistry has much new information to learn and memorize. In fact, there is so much new information you'll be presented with as you begin to study chemistry that you'll get bogged down quickly if you get caught up trying to memorize all the details. First, focus on gaining an understanding of fundamental concepts. Once you have a sound understanding of the fundamentals, you can spend time memorizing the details. Also, as you master the fundamentals of chemistry and understand the concepts, you'll find it much easier to memorize everything else.
Take Notes
Attending class regularly and paying attention are important, but it's not enough. Taking copious, intelligible notes that further your understanding of the concepts discussed is necessary as you study chemistry. Note-taking is particularly important to the study of chemistry for the following reasons.
- 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.
- Taking good notes and then reviewing those notes will help you to determine what you do and don't understand.
- Make sure your note-taking is organized. Taking organized notes will help you review lectures effectively and prepare for exams.
- Note-taking will enable you to participate in study groups. The better your notes, the better you'll be able to participate and contribute to your study group.
Don't just focus on what your instructor writes on the board when taking notes. Listen and copy down all key verbal points and concepts discussed during the lecture. After each lecture, take a few minutes to review your notes. Make sure you understand all the concepts covered in the lecture. Use your textbook to improve your notes and understanding of the key concepts.
Take help from the best websites to find chemistry learning resources.
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 of your game. Test your understanding and knowledge of chemistry by reviewing and working on the practice problems found on sample chemistry tests and problems found on previous chemistry tests (if you can get your hands on them.)
When working on chemistry problems, don't look at the answer key unless you've been able to work out the answer or 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 instructor. Re-read your textbook to gain understanding and clarification. If you get a problem wrong, work it again on paper until you can get it correct. Ensure you understand each step of the problem and why it is necessary. Once you've figured out the problem, find another problem of the same type and work on it. Continue to do so until you thoroughly understand the concept being taught.
Get extra help with your courses with a qualified chemistry teacher on Superprof.
Study Groups
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, exchange ideas, explain difficult concepts, teach what they've learned, share notes, study for exams, and cover more material. The following are tips for forming effective study groups.
- Keep groups between 3 and 6 people.
- All members must come prepared for group study sessions.
- Include members who are dedicated to their individual success as well as the success of the other group members.
- Schedule group study sessions at the same time and place each week.
- Keep study sessions between 2 to 3 hours.
- Keep study sessions focused. Don't let them turn into social events.
- Study as a group in an environment free from distractions.
Here are the top chemistry courses to pursue after class 12.
The Lab is Your Friend!
When it comes to understanding and learning chemistry, there is no substitute for hands-on experience. There is no better way to get this experience than by attending chemistry labs. Take every opportunity presented to work in the lab. Working through chemistry problems and conducting chemistry experiments in a practical environment will strengthen your understanding and knowledge of chemistry.
Flashcards
Flashcards are nothing new, but they work. They are particularly useful for studying chemistry. Chemistry contains scientific symbols, formulas, and vocabulary that must be memorized and interpreted correctly. Flashcards are ideal for organizing and studying chemical symbols, formulas, and vocabulary – including the periodic table of elements. Once you've created an organized set of flashcards, you'll find memorization must be easier.
Get all the information on the top chemistry schools in the world.
When studying chemistry, break the material into smaller pieces you can master. Even though this may seem at times to be slow and tedious, it will help you actually learn what you're studying. Once you've mastered one concept, move on to the next. You'll be surprised to find that it will become much easier to learn and master larger concepts after you really understand a few of the smaller ones.
Learn everything you need to know about this fascinating subject with a chemistry class online on Superprof.
Summarise with AI:
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
