Are you struggling with chemistry lately? Wondering what would make you stronger in the subject? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you are just in the right place.
Chemistry is a subject that either has a huge fan following or a large number of people who simply hate it. The lab works, numerical, and theories, a lot of things go into it. So, students might find it complex to understand at first.
However, with the right strategies, you can ace the subject like class toppers. Here are the things that you can try out:
Understanding is the Key
Just as in the case of any practical subject, Chemistry needs a thorough understanding of the concepts rather than plain memorising. This is especially applicable to organic chemistry.
In the majority of cases, students struggle with organic chemistry and try the easy path, where they learn everything. But that’s the wrong way to deal with the subject. Learning would make things tough and complex as the days goes by.
Focus more on how things are derived rather than choosing the rote part.
Never Miss the Lab Practicals
The last thing you should do while studying chemistry is miss lab practicals. Period. When you perform experiments in labs, you are doing things manually and not theoretically. And you must remember it.
That’s why it’s recommended to stay dedicated to your practical classes and practice what you learn. The best thing about lab practicals is that it helps you know about chemical properties and stay familiarised with chemical substances. When you learn chemistry in such a way, you are likely to understand things clearly.
So, make a schedule for your lab classes, and be regular with the same.
Stay Concentrated
Chemistry is a subject that needs dedication and concentration. It has plenty of formulas, derivations, and equations to understand, which wouldn’t be possible to grasp if you were not focused. So, the worst thing to do with chemistry is to study it when you are tired or sleepy.
We would recommend you to start the subject when you are fresh-minded. Go through your notes the first thing in the morning. Also, whenever you think you are not able to understand certain things related to the subject, give it a break. Read it later when your mind is calm and focused.
You should also take small breaks when studying chemistry. The more you take it, the better your concentration. This will help you resume the subject with more confidence. For extra help, you can also try chemistry tutoring from professional teachers.
Mind Mapping
Mind mapping is one of the crucial aspects of clearing chemistry concepts. That’s why, whenever you study the subject, go through all the topics and create a strategy. Based on your level of understanding, you must sort the topics with the most to least complex.
Make two separate sections, and decide the topics that you think requires more focus. On the other hand, you can list the ones that are fairly easy for you to understand.
Now, your plan should be to cover the complex topics first. Once you are done with it, you can check out the easy ones or the topics that you have already covered.
Regular Revision
Regardless of Chemistry being easy or complex, your goal should be to revise the notes regularly. This isn’t just applicable to the theories but also to practical portions included in your subject. For example, the periodic table is like the basics of chemistry.
So, if you plan to learn the periodic table, you must recall it every day. You can also paste a picture of the periodic table, so whenever you see it, you can give a quick revision.
Just like that, you should also practice the equations and write the formulas that you have studied. Revision is also important to keep hard and lengthy topics in mind. If you dedicate just one hour of revision every day for chemistry, it would be more than enough. You can also learn tips to master the basics of chemistry.
Make Good Notes
One thing that most students often forget is making good chemistry notes. It’s just as important as attending class and focusing on concepts in chemistry.
When we say notes, we do not mean lengthy paragraphs featuring the whole lecture. Rather, we mean making detailed and intelligent notes that are easier to grasp.
If you want to know about some good note-making tactics, then you can try out the below tips:
- Write down the specifics instead of the whole paragraphs. Note down all the formulas and equations in one place.
- It would be best if you wouldn’t just copy and paste the information. Try to understand and recall the things you have learned. That way, your brain retention power will increase, and you will understand the concepts faster.
- You can also participate in group studies to make the notes more diverse. The stronger your notes are, the better will be your preparation.
- You must keep your notes organized and review them thoroughly so things can be easier during exam preparation.
- Try to make good-quality notes. It wouldn’t just be helpful for you but also for other participants who are in your group. So, it’s recommended to prioritize quality over wordy writeups.
- Lastly, it’s recommended to review the notes after the lecture so you can properly understand the concepts that are covered in the class.
Break Large Tasks into Small Ones
You might think it’s too time-consuming, but trust us, it’s the best way to understand chemistry. The thumb rule is simple. Whenever you find any large and complex topic, give 15 minutes to each portion. You can cover the topic each day step by step, or you can divide the topic for the entire day.
In the case of numerical, it’s best to practice them as much as you can. Look for any silly mistakes that you make and correct them instantly.
These were some of the easy yet effective ways to study chemistry. Try it out, and we are sure you will perform great in your class.