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How do I get better grades on exams in chemistry and remember the materials that are taught?

Advice on getting better grades on exams in chemistry and remember the materials that are taught

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Michel’s Answer

Major in Biology and Minor in Chemistry here. I believe that Chemistry is a lot about practicing and understanding the concepts. This makes it a class that falls between physics and biology which makes it very unique. Understanding math and why we do it in chemistry is going to give you a big leg up. So practice problems are going to be extremely helpful. Make sure you are learning how to perform the process and why you are doing it. If you are struggling with setting something up make sure to get help a lot of professors/teachers want you to succeed but they don’t know if you are struggling if you don’t ask for help. Don’t worry about sounding dumb the only people that sound dumb are the ones that pretend they know what they are doing when they don’t. In school you are learning and that is your job and it is important to find what works for you and during that time you can ask for help and find your path. Just sitting here asking for help is a big step in the right direction.
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Nafisa’s Answer

It can be difficult to retain information for exams. Try creating visuals to help you remember the material. Draw small sketches in your notes as a visual cue for your brain to recall the information. For example, if you're learning about the periodic table, for Helium, sketch a balloon next to the 'He' symbol for Helium. The process of drawing the sketches will also help you retain the information.

You can also try flashcards with information. Use color coding to help you associate relevant information. Repetition in writing the information will help you remember. So even the process of making the flashcards will be helpful.

Also speaking the information out loud while you study can help you recall the information better. Practice for your exams by testing yourself while you study. For example, cover the definitions of important terms and try to recall the information without using your notes. Many textbooks have sample questions at the end of chapters as well. Try to answer them without using your notes. This will help you recall information better once you are in your actual exam.
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Amalya’s Answer

Hello Christina,

To be good at your exams, you need to understand the subject better. I mean not focusing on so to speak mechanical memory, but trying to deal the chemical lesson at a practical level. For instance, you can watch YouTube videos about various chemical experiments regarding to your exam materials. When you see how something is done, you will remember it better.
Also, keep the balance of sleeping well, taking everyday walks, exercising since it all (healthy lifestyle) will positively contribute to your learning abilities as well.
I wish you great exam results!
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SAMATA’s Answer

Hello Christina,
The ultimate goal of mastering any subject is to focus. Simply put I would break everything down to easy steps, the way you think your brain can register. I do better with MY own notes, pictures and concise note cards, songs, mnemonics, mix in interesting facts.
Practice daily and use study clubs when possible.
I hope this helps.
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Mandi’s Answer

Hey Christina, this is going to boil down to good study habits and what works best for you. Not all people study alike. Some are good note takers and can review and retain. Others need more time to review and study to help retain that information, maybe even adding in flash cards and assistance from parents or siblings for practice. I would also suggest if you are good with listening, to maybe record your notes and play it back, as some people are good with audio as opposed to physical note taking and can retain what they hear better than writing it down and reviewing. You really have to figure out what works best for you, think about when you are in your other classes, how do you study for those classes? This may help you in finding your best study habits that you can apply to your chemistry class. And remember some classes will need more attention because they contain more information being taught. Also, you need to dedicate a certain amount of time to your studies. Chemistry is one of those classes that may take more time, so take the time to sit down and read the material, be sure you are resting enough so that you can be attentive in class so you aren't missing portions of what is being taught.
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Jacob’s Answer

Improving your grades in chemistry and retaining the material taught involves a combination of effective study strategies and good learning habits. Here are some valuable tips to help you excel in your chemistry exams:

1. **Active Learning**: Instead of passively reading or listening to lectures, engage with the material actively. Take notes, ask questions, and participate in class discussions.

2. **Consistent Study Schedule**: Create a study schedule that allocates regular, focused study time for chemistry. Consistency is key to retaining information.

3. **Understand Fundamentals**: Ensure you have a strong grasp of the fundamental concepts before moving on to more complex topics. Chemistry builds on foundational knowledge.

4. **Practice Problems**: Chemistry involves problem-solving. Practice solving a variety of problems to reinforce your understanding and develop problem-solving skills.

5. **Use Resources**: Take advantage of textbooks, online resources, and chemistry-related apps. These can provide additional explanations and practice problems.

6. **Group Study**: Collaborate with classmates for group study sessions. Teaching and explaining concepts to others can help solidify your understanding.

7. **Flashcards**: Create flashcards to review key terms, equations, and reactions. Regularly reviewing flashcards can improve memory retention.

8. **Teach Yourself**: Pretend you're the teacher and explain complex topics to yourself. This method forces you to articulate your understanding clearly.

9. **Break it Down**: Divide your study sessions into manageable chunks. Focus on one topic or concept at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

10. **Seek Help Early**: If you're struggling with certain concepts, don't wait until the last minute to seek help. Talk to your teacher, join study groups, or consider hiring a tutor.

11. **Practice Past Exams**: If past exams or practice exams are available, use them to simulate exam conditions. This can help you get a feel for the types of questions that may be asked.

12. **Healthy Lifestyle**: Ensure you're getting enough sleep, eating well, and managing stress. A healthy body and mind are crucial for effective learning and concentration.

13. **Stay Organized**: Keep your study materials, notes, and assignments organized. This will help you access information quickly when you need it.

14. **Review Regularly**: Periodically review previously learned material to reinforce your memory and prevent forgetting.

Remember, improving your performance in chemistry, or any subject, takes time and dedication. Don't get discouraged by initial challenges. Stay persistent, adapt your study methods as needed, and seek help when necessary. With consistent effort, you can improve your grades and retain the material more effectively.
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Robert’s Answer

I've taught chemistry for many years and I regret to say that it is often one of the worst-taught subjects, if not the very worst. Too often chemistry teachers give up on getting students to a point of understanding what is going on and have them memorize everything instead. That works for a few students, but not for most. I would have failed chemistry if that were how I had been taught! The key to succeeding in - and enjoying! - chemistry is to understand it. There are few things that have to be memorized (like some nomenclature and the symbols of the elements), but most things can be figured out from only a few remembered facts and an understanding of how they fit together. For example, the structure of the periodic table and the electronic shell structure of atoms are closely related. If your teacher is having you memorize 2-8-18 rather than read electronic structures off the periodic table, they are not doing you any favors. Most of general chemistry makes sense: there is a coherent story behind it that makes it all fit together. If you are not getting that story, not getting the big picture, it becomes a bunch of incoherent memorization that falls out of your head shortly after you pack it in there (if you can stomach doing so at all). If you are not feeling the "light bulb" come on in your head (often!) as you learn chemistry, as well as connecting it to things in your "real world," you need to find ways to make those things happen. Unfortunately, you probably don't have the latitude to change teachers (unless you are at a large college), so here are some other ideas. (See next steps, below.)

Robert recommends the following next steps:

Outside of class, ask your teacher for help putting the pieces together: why is this the way it is? (If the answer is "it just is, memorize it" then even one-on-one this teacher will not help you understand.)
Try reading a good book on the subject: the LibreText series (https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/General_Chemistry) is free and quite good.
See if you can find tutoring help (sometimes good free help is available) that helps you understand (rather than just giving you answers and not explaining how things are connected/make sense).
Try watching videos online on a subject that is giving you trouble. Some will probably confuse you more, but there are some good ones out there as well.
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