1 Notes on a successful college experience and college chemistry course College Success Key Point College courses are much different from high school courses Students are expected to learn on their own Learning takes place outside of class Only 20 to 30 learning occurs in class Preparation for class is essential You must read the texts You must do the homework To learn effectively use multiple sources Read the book Attend lecture Do the homework Reread the book Ask classmates See instructor Use computer programs Use Internet Use other chemistry texts How to attend lecture 1 Read the book first Take notes about your readings Write down questions about the reading 2 Attend lecture Missing lecture is always a bad idea You are paying for this time with your instructor Use it 3 Be an active note taker Write down what the instructor puts on the board Write down what your instructor says Write down questions about the material 4 Note the major points covered in lecture a How do ideas presented in the lecture fit into material already covered b Try to think ahead What are the consequences of ideas presented at the moment 5 Ask questions In a class of 80 at least 10 other people have the exact same question 2 How to use your instructor s office hours effectively 1 See instructor with questions Keep in mind that your instructor wants to help you Don t be shy Have a list of questions ready Be clear about what you want to ask Don t be unorganized 2 Communication is important Don t be shy give your instructor feedback One professor s gene ral attitude about courses You need to learn everything I e Don t ask What do we need to know for the test Learning is more than rote memorization Thinking applying the concepts you learn to new situations is the goal of education Sometimes memorization is important All classes have definitions and vocabulary Basic skills such as math speaking and writing are important in all classes Raise your threshold of frustration Don t be afraid to take chances Don t be afraid to be wrong Know the general rules and then concentrate on exceptions Look for the big picture Why are we studying this Find connections with course material within chapters and between chapters Try to differentiate between major concepts details of the concepts and exceptions Sometimes exceptions are very important In general scholarship they lead to areas that need further investigation Take classes outside your field and enjoy them Widen your view of the world Don t be afraid to question your instructor s point of view Though always be polite and respectful Never surprise your instructor If you need to make special arrangements with your instructor make them as soon as you find out your need 3 CHEM 1180 Success 1 Chemistry involves a large amount of new vocabulary Use flash cards flip through while shaving fixing hair 2 Don t try to guess what will be on the test 3 Practice exams are not review sheets 4 Study for the quizzes 5 Homework homework homework 6 Lab and lecture are separate classes 7 Schedule time to study chemistry every day Some days one hour other days three hours 8 Find people to study with you 9 You must be proficient in mathematics Seeking tutoring help early if your mathematics is weak