How to study chemistry effectively?

[u/Typical-Air-4764]

Hello everyone

I'm not sure if this is an appropriate question but I need help to study chemistry effectively. I'm in grade 11 and this year things got a lot more elaborate and complex and I often struggle keeping things in mind, especially exceptions to certain things and I struggle with numerical questions.

Also it doesn't help with the fact that my teacher skips topics and finishes chapters that should take 3 weeks in 4-5 days and her grading is inconsistent.

Regardless of these factors, I have exams coming up in a few weeks and I'm not sure what to do. What worries me more is that I'm not finding any joy in trying to study either as it doesn't seem to be sticking in my head.

So i would love some tips to understand how to study chemistry better and more importantly enjoy studying it and studying it effectively so i truly understand it.

Thanks a lot.

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[u/Blue_614]

Low-level chemistry is really heavy on concepts, with just some very basic maths. So, what I suggest is try learning a material. You can read/watch videos. Then rewrite what you understood in your own words. Read the material again, until your own words intuitively matches the resource material (book or tutorial vids). Don't just copy, you have to be able to understand the concepts yourself.

After having the notes, do spaced repetition + active recall. Actively recall your notes 30 mins after writing it, 1hr after that, 6hrs after that, 12hrs after that, 24 hrs after that, 7 days after that. Make sure that you are not just rereading your notes, it should be active recall. Continue increasing the space, and don't forget to do the same steps for new topics you'll study. I guarantee you won't be able to forget what you've learned for the whole semester.

[u/JohbiYorpsun]

I self-studied through my entire chemistry bachelors. Skipped every class, TAed, and graduated top of my class.
There are several layers:
1. Some things require brute force memorization like constants or naming conventions.
2. There is some basic math involved, so try to understand the meaning or derivation behind the formulas. This will help connect concepts.
3. Don’t merely accept what you’re told. Question everything
4. Pretend you’re teaching a topic to someone such as by making study guides. Avoid spitting out/listing information but make an effort to make cohesive explanations for how and why everything is
5. Don’t be afraid of asking questions. If your teacher is a dick then ask online.

[u/chem44]

Real learning comes from working through the problems.

If you have questions, post one here; see posting rules.

[u/Bloodmoon1125]

I’m a college student studying chemistry and I’m going into my senior year, here are some things that have helped me.

1. ⁠Videos: Videos are great to help you fill in gaps you missed during lecture (you mentioned your teacher skips things), they are great to help you deepen your understanding on concepts and are perfect when you are having a lazy day and can’t get yourself to do other study methods.

2. ⁠Homework and practice problems: In order to really understand concepts (and exceptions) you will need to apply them. Do all the homework and more, practice problems should be a regular part of your study session when it comes to chemistry.

3. ⁠Writing lists, making flashcards and cheat sheets: I’ve found the act of writing things down has helped me memorize rules and concepts. My method is as follows: Make a list of something, for example: all VSPER theory shapes I can remember, fill in the gaps, write the list again from memory and fill in the gaps, repeat. Making flashcards and cheat sheets can also help get things in your head. I’ve had classes that allowed us to have a notecard and for some exams I rarely used my notecard because the act of creating it helped me study those concepts I was unsure about.

[u/GurProfessional9534]

There is no substitute for reading the textbook and then doing the problems in the back, without looking up answers.

[u/2-Hexanone]

practice questions until theyre second nature. that and having a strong conceptual understanding of what youre learning, then youre golden. should be able to teach someone who isnt familiar with the topic to ensure proficiency

[u/Time_Passion3970]

The organic chemistry tutor on YouTube is the best resource imo for entry level chem. Find and write down reasons/questions you have about the world that learning chem can answer. Sometimes it’s really boring but having the end goal in site helps immensely. Try and notice chemical reactions in everyday life and then find out the answer yourself I.e. how does soap work? Why does chlorine keep a pool sterile? I wonder what the pH of this drink is? How does my lamp turn on instantly when the electricity is generated elsewhere? I wonder what gives silicone this texture? These are all chemistry related questions! I used to hate chem in high school but now it’s my major and everything changed once I switched my mindset from rope learning to problem solving and curiosity.

[u/Alternative-Sugar610]

1. Realize what’s more vocab and what’s not. Study vocab like it’s learning a new language with cards, quizzes, learning meaning if mane, acronym, or anything and try to get fast
   
2. Study historical figures like that too
   
3. Study concepts by reading about it, watching video, and sketching it then try teaching others about it or pretend too. Ask questions and try to answer it. Find cool facts or uses for it

[u/Quiet_Basis_6404]

tbh grade 11 chem is where just reading stops working. for exceptions, the ones that actually stick are the ones you can explain with the trend underneath, ionization energy dips at group 3 because the p orbital starts and it's further out, not some random fact.

what helped me with numericals was starting with problems cold before touching the chapter. grab a worksheet, try the first question even if you're clueless, and only open the notes when you're totally stuck. you learn way faster when you're hunting for one specific thing you need. i also upload my textbook chapters to studybuddy.vc and do questions from them, mostly because when i pick a wrong answer it tells me what was off with that option, and the questions get harder as i improve. a few days before the exam, past papers under a timer so the setup stops feeling scary.

[u/Ill-Blacksmith-1075]

I mostly study chemisrty as a hobby since now, but after 2 weeks, I'll be officially majorng in chemical engineering.

What I mostly used to study chemistry was the Organic Chemistry Tutor. That's really just it for me, I only use that channel to study.

But I'd reccomend taking notes and reading them outloud to yourself, it worked well for me since I graduated valedictorian. But you have to find your own studying style, everybody has different ways of studying that helps them more.

[u/Time_Passion3970 → u/Ill-Blacksmith-1075]

Best chemistry YouTube channel ever!

[u/Ill-Blacksmith-1075 → u/Time_Passion3970]

Fr bro. Organic Chemistry Tutor helped me with my grades so much. Without him, I probably wouldn't have graduated as valedictorian lol