Chemistry, like other math-heavy fields in the sciences, is a subject which requires hard work and effort to master. Chemistry entails equations, formulas, and diagrams; some of these may have to be memorized, while others require a complex understanding of chemical structures and math equations.
To excel in chemistry, you’ll need good study habits and pay attention during the lecture, lab, and while doing homework. Chemistry demands a lot of patience, enthusiasm and most importantly, a good relationship with the subject.
Focus on the essentials
For example, when it comes to organic reactions – pay attention to how the functional groups react and practice the reaction mechanisms. It helps to write them out. For many people, writing sheets of reactions with the name of the reaction, reaction conditions, and highlighting which functional group is converted to the other (e.g. “alkyl halide to ether”) helps with studying. Depending on the test, an A4-sized paper would have anywhere from 5 to 20 reactions on each side.
Look out for patterns. Patterns are your best friends. Once you identify a group of reactions that are similar enough, you only have to remember one. This also ties back to rule number 1 and being familiar with functional groups. It also helps to know common reagents and what they’re used for. That way if they pop up in a question you’d know what kind of reaction you’re most likely dealing with.
The reaction conditions (catalysts, pressure, temperature) also do not vary much within functional groups, so it helps to memorize these with regard to specific examples (which are easier to remember)—and then reverse the understanding to apply it to the functional group at large.
Read More : How to Learn Chemical Reactions
Get your concepts right
This means knowing your Constants, Equations, and Definitions perfectly—and then applying them to more complex concepts. Since Chemistry is seldom as intuitive as physics (although tips on improving your physics apply to Chemistry too), it helps to revise with reference to specific questions. Which brings the focus to the next step…
Practice, practice, practice
With Chemistry there’s no getting around this. You must essentially practice each area of your syllabus. And yes, because Chemistry is inherently so vast, it’s understandable why that would appear exhausting. That’s why it helps to plan much in advance before your exams and make sure no section of your syllabus is forgotten!
But don’t worry: if you’re short on time, highlight the areas you’re having the most problems with and practice those the most. This should, however, never come at the expense of becoming overly confident on your strongest areas: it’s far better to ace 80% of the concepts and do poorly in the last 20% than to sacrifice your strengths and get only somewhat better in your weaker areas.
Read More : The Power of Practice
Striking this balance is key to a long-term improvement in your Chemistry Performance. Based on a solid foundation of concepts from your syllabus and held together by your observational skills, your knowledge is certain to improve if you give it consistent, organized effort.
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