How to Pass General Chemistry In College?

When students are introduced to general chemistry, they perceive it as an easy subject through basic definitions and memorizing the names of atoms. However, when they delve deeper into generating products through complex reactions and balancing equations, that’s where they face challenges.

Yet it’s essential to overcome these hurdles by clearing your concepts to succeed in general chemistry. This article delivers practical tips and tricks on how to pass general chemistry in college.

Understanding the Basics of General Chemistry

General chemistry entails the arrangement, organization, and characteristics of matter that constitute atoms and their sub-atomic particles. From introducing you to foundation topics of differentiating atoms based on atomic numbers to performing reactions using stoichiometric concepts, chemistry is a huge study of these small particles.

To have a deep comprehension of chemistry, it is necessary to form a strong foundation on molecules, their structures, and the chemical bonds they form and then move to advanced concepts such as different types of chemical reactions.

Common Challenges Faced in General Chemistry

Before exploring the tips to pass chemistry in college, let’s take a look at issues encountered by students while studying chemistry.

• Complex concepts and formulas: From remembering the chemical names of substances along with their complex formulas to memorizing empirical, molecular, structural, and condensed formulas of hundreds of compounds, chemistry confuses students with so much material to learn which makes it hard to succeed in general chemistry.

• Time management issues: With extensive coursework and tons of detail in each chapter, students with busy routines due to attending labs, making assignments, and completing homework are unable to manage time for chemistry.

The little time they are left with goes into fulfilling personal commitments and they might feel backward during exams resulting in cramming the course one night before the exam.

Managing time for chemistry requires consistent effort and time, if time is a hurdle, consider looking for assistance such as ‘’pay someone to take my online chemistry class’’

• Difficulty understanding lectures and textbooks: Chemistry material in textbooks involves calculating moles, balancing equations, and also converting these answers into the required units. The majority of these actions come under maths and students weak at maths face problems during calculating answers.

At the advanced level chemistry also comprises algebra and graphs which can be a daunting effort to put on.  

Different terminologies on substances and numerous formulas contribute to making the lectures boring and, students attend chemistry classes in a tedious state. 

Effective Study Strategies for General Chemistry

Let’s now come to the information you have been waiting to discover. Executing these study strategies for chemistry can help you overcome the challenges mentioned above. 

Develop a Consistent Study Schedule

• To ace your chemistry classes you need to treat chemistry as your priority. In your daily routine try incorporating study sessions covering at least two chapters. But make sure not to start with advanced chapters, and avoid selecting chapters that have no linkage between them.
• For instance, when you select from initial topics such as measurement, choose the second chapter of basic empirical formulas. In this way, you won’t get stuck wasting your energy on a difficult chapter in the beginning.

But here is the thing, these two chapters can’t be completed at a single time and we completely know that! So take your time, divide study sessions into manageable chunks, and give your best efforts. 

• A consistent study schedule will protect you from last-minute cramming and stressful conditions before exams.

Master the Periodic Table

Periodic table plays a vital role in your exams whether it is a multiple choice question asking you to identify any element or a calculation that requires you to remember the atomic mass. 

These college chemistry study tips can help you master the periodic table. 

• Memorization: Remembering the 118 elements almost seems impossible but not in the conditions where your study strategy includes rote memorization techniques. 

Divide the components row-wise, start memorizing 1 row daily, and keep adding more rows when you become a pro at the previous one. The color present in the rows makes the process easier but make sure to practice consistently and the periodic table will be on your fingertips! 

• Mnemonics: Mnemonics are the best way to learn something lengthy. Try to create a sentence that makes sense to you from the initials of each element. 
• Hearing songs: If you are a good listener and things that you hear from other people stay in your mind, then start listening to this song on YouTube known as ‘’We Just Crammed The Table’’ and the elements will automatically start residing in your mind!

Focus on Understanding, Not Just Memorizing

• Memorizing might work in the case of the periodic table but when it comes to complex chemical reactions, rote memorization won’t work. This is because chemistry consists of numerous chemical reactions plus there are high chances of getting different equations with different values in your exams. 

Even if you rote memorize a reaction, is it necessary that you will get the same question during your exams? No, right? 

So try to understand what is happening in the question and increase your knowledge about why each step is taking place.

• Reactions aren’t visible to us and this makes the process of learning them more complicated. Try to use real-life examples and connect them with the reactions.

Utilize Visual Learning Tools

Utilizing visual learning tools such as diagrams to demonstrate the atomic structure, flow charts for reaction steps, or steps involved in balancing an equation.

Apps like ChemistryPro and Periodic Table Chemistry offer features like a list of chemical reactions to practice along with their solutions, specified information regarding each atom, a molar mass calculator, and various tables and charts. 

Best Practices for Taking Notes in Chemistry

Some of the college chemistry study tips that you can apply during your classes are:

Active Listening During Lectures

Don’t just hear the lectures, actively listen to them. Active listening involves understanding, interpreting, and absorbing information that your lecturer has conveyed.

There are several points a chapter doesn’t contain, try to identify those by reviewing your book chapters after the class ends and note them ASAP.

Also, the slides provided by your lecturer don’t always contain the material they shared verbally during your lecture.

That’s the key point you need to collect! So always try to note down what your lecturer tells including the tips and tricks to solve questions as well. 

Try to use colored markers while writing different topics, this makes your work more organized and neat and assists in understanding each detail. 

Reviewing and Revising Notes Regularly

Chemistry consists of a vast amount of topics and lecturers, try to cover it up in a short period by teaching things quickly. You might note down every detail they share in a hurry to ensure that no point is missed.

But while studying some of it may not be clear to you. Always review your notes after the class and ask them to repeat any concepts that are not understandable to you. 

Reviewing these notes regularly will strengthen your memory regarding certain topics leading to ease during exams. 

Tips for Chemistry Lab Success

Labs are one of the crucial aspects of chemistry. They offer you practical experience and hands-on practice with handling chemicals. Here are a few tips on how to ace general chemistry labs. 

Prepare for Labs in Advance

Before your labs, read the lab manual to have a brief understanding of the objectives and the chemicals being used. Knowledge regarding what’s happening will help you perform better during labs. 

Knowing the safety measures will also ensure safe practices and your competency in lab skills. 

Record Observations Accurately

Conducting lab experiments requires a lot of accuracy and precision in your observation. Observations ensure that your whole experiment was performed the right way and the correct results are generated.

Preparing for Chemistry Exams

We know that chemistry is the main reason for your academic stress. So let’s highlight some chemistry exam preparation tips we have gathered for you. 

Practice with Past Papers and Sample Questions

Going through past papers is one of the best study strategies for chemistry. Past papers help you with acknowledging the paper pattern, question lengths, and most importantly an idea of what kind of questions are you going to encounter. 

Practicing sample questions, especially from chapters like stoichiometric calculations and chemical kinetics can increase your speed of solving lengthy questions which is beneficial during exams.

Use Flashcards for Key Terms and Equations

Flashcards are a useful source for end-moment revisions. Try creating flashcards for definitions, chemical names,  and units for conversion-related questions. 

Apps like The Element Flashcard allow you to test your periodic table memory. Besides that, Quizlet is another app that provides you with effective chemistry study guides, flashcards, and practice tests to succeed in general chemistry.

How to Seek Help When Struggling

Attend Office Hours and Study Groups

Struggling while studying chemistry is a very common thing that occurs because of its intricate concepts. 

There is no need to be shy or feel less of yourself if you are stuck on a question. Be confident with your questions and address your queries during office hours. Individual explanations often serve as a great way of getting your concepts clear. 

Forming study groups with your peers can also result in a more productive environment where you can teach each other along with finding solutions to questions together. Watching others study will also motivate you to bring out the best in yourself.

Utilize Online Resources and Tutorials

While implementing the above-mentioned study strategies for chemistry, numerous online resources and tutorials can assist you as well. These include: 

YouTube channels: Almost all chemistry professors have now created their own YouTube channels. So if in-class lectures are difficult for you to understand, just search the topic you feel stuck in and you will get a list of lecturers providing you explanations along with chemistry exam preparation tips as well. 

Khan Academy: Websites like Khan Academy are the best help to get while struggling in chemistry. They offer you a refined search option that allows you to select the content from which it is more convenient for you to learn such as articles, exercises, videos, or, lessons.

Staying Motivated and Managing Stress

Set Achievable Goals and Rewards

Studying subjects like chemistry can put you under immense pressure when trying to cover every aspect. After setting a proper study schedule, make sure to tick off the chapters you get done with and consider these as your daily goal.

Watching yourself achieve goals will encourage you to work more hard to reach your desired grades. Grant yourself rewards such as long breaks and more screen time when you get done with your tasks to ensure a fresh active mind. 

Balance Studies with Self-Care

Burdening yourself with an extra study load will leave you exhausted at the end of the day without the will to do more the next day. It is necessary to take care of your physical and mental health to ensure a balanced and healthy life.

Sleeping on time, having proper meals, spending time with friends and family, and the addition of other fun activities in your routine along with studies boost your endorphins and stimulate you to perform well with an energetic mind. 

Conclusion

Passing general chemistry classes may feel very complicated due to the complex concepts of chemical reactions and reactions but remember there is a solution to every problem. Applying study strategies for chemistry like the inclusion of a study timetable in your routine, revising your notes, attentively listening to lectures, and asking for help can make you pass your chemistry classes.

Mastering the periodic table through mnemonics, songs or memorization is the most important tip to succeed in general chemistry.

By focusing on your labs and with the assistance of online resources you can be the next highest achiever of your class! However, if your busy routine doesn’t allow you to make use of these college chemistry study tips and you are unable to prioritize your preparation, you can always consider services such as Take A Class For Me to get your academic burden handled by experts.