How to Ace First Year Chemistry (or at least make a high B)Requirements for Acing Chemistry 101/102Why 101/102 is Harder Than HS ChemistrySlide 4Slide 5Slide 6So, What Can You Do Now?Use Efficient Study Strategies When You Study Chemistry !Slide 9Slide 10Get the Most Out of LectureSlide 12Get the Most Out of HomeworkGet the Most from the Help Desk and Office HoursSlide 15Special Problem Solving TipsSlide 17Slide 18Slide 19Dr. Saundra Y. McGuireDirector, Center for Academic SuccessAdjunct Professor of ChemistryLouisiana State UniversityHow to Ace First Year Chemistry (or at least make a high B)Requirements for Acing Chemistry 101/102Mastery of Chem Concepts(not rote memorization!)Realistic Study ScheduleEffective Use of Resources (office hours, Help Desk, etc.)Managing AnxietyWhy 101/102 is Harder Than HS ChemistryThe course moves a lot fasterThe material is conceptually more difficult and cumulativeThe problems are more involvedThe tests are less straightforward and require you to apply conceptsJudgment: the ability tomake decisions and supportviews; requires understanding of valuesSynthesisAnalysisIdentification of component parts; determination ofarrangement, logic, semanticsApplicationUse of information to solve problems; transfer of abstract or theoretical ideas to practical situations.InterpretationIdentification of connections and relationshipsTranslationRestatement in your own words; paraphrase; summaryRecallVerbatim information; memorization with no evidence of understandingEvaluationCombination of information to form a uniqueproduct; requires creativity and originalitySTUDENTS WITH GPA OF 3.7 OR HIGHER Studied over 30 hours per week outside of class 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 schoolFOUR YEAR STUDY, R. B. LANDIS, CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, 1995So, What Can You Do Now?Spend more time studying chemistry(at least 9 hours per week)Aim for 100% understandingUse the Help Desk and office hoursUse the Continuous Process of Learning and Intense Study SessionsStudy Smarter for ChemistryUse Efficient Study Strategies When You Study Chemistry !Study SMARTER, not HARDERContinuous Process of LearningPhase One:Phase One: Read or preview chapters to be covered in Read or preview chapters to be covered in class… before class (Create chapter maps)class… before class (Create chapter maps)Phase Two:Phase Two: Go to Class. Listen actively, take notes, participate Go to Class. Listen actively, take notes, participate in classin classPhase Three:Phase Three:Review and process class notes as soon as Review and process class notes as soon as possible after classpossible after classPhase Four:Phase Four: Incorporate Intense Study SessionsIncorporate Intense Study SessionsRepeatRepeatIntense Study Sessions5 minutes:5 minutes:Set goals for next 40 min.Set goals for next 40 min.40 minutes:40 minutes:Read text more selectively/highlightRead text more selectively/highlightMake doodles/notes in marginsMake doodles/notes in marginsCreate mnemonics, work examplesCreate mnemonics, work examplesCreate mapsCreate maps5 minutes5 minutesReview what you have just studiedReview what you have just studied10 minutes10 minutesTake a breakTake a breakRepeatRepeatGet the Most Out of LectureArrive earlyActively participateReview notes soon after classRework all example problems done in classAverage Retention for Learning Activities(Source: National Training Laboratories, Bethel, ME)20%Audio-Visual30%Demonstration50%Discussion Group75%Practice by Doing90%Teach Others/Immediate Use of Learning5% Lecture10%ReadingGet the Most Out of HomeworkStart the problems early--the day they are assignedDo 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 Try to understand the concept or work the problem by yourself firstCome prepared to ask questionsExplain the material to the tutor or professor or study group membersSome 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!!!-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.-Visualize the problem situation. Draw diagrams.-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?”- Estimate the answer, if possible. Check you answer to make sure it is in the “ballpark”.Chemistry 101/102 HELP DESKChemistry 101/102 HELP DESKAt TAMUAt TAMURoom 116 HELDRoom 116 HELDMon – Thurs: 8:30am – 4:30pmFri: 8:30am – 12:30pmON-LINE STUDY STRATEGIES ON-LINE STUDY STRATEGIES WORKSHOPS at LSUWORKSHOPS at LSUTime Management College Reading and NoteTakingManaging Test AnxietyTest Taking StrategiesConcept MappingFABULOUS WEB SITE AT FABULOUS WEB SITE AT Louisiana State University Louisiana State University WWW.CAS.LSU.EDUWWW.CAS.LSU.EDU Study Smarter Workshops On LineStudy Smarter Workshops On Line Weekly and Semester PlannersWeekly and Semester Planners GPA CalculatorGPA Calculator Great LinksGreat LinksWeb Page DevelopmentWeb Page Development Study Strategies SitesStudy Strategies Sites Graduate Exam Links Graduate Exam Links (GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT)(GMAT, GRE, LSAT,
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