How to Succeed in First Year Chemistry by Dr. Wendy Keeney-Kennicutt Associate Director, First Year Chemistry Program

Keeney-Kennicutt, Department of Chemistry, TAMU 2 1. School is your job. The old axiom: study 3 hours outside of class for every 1 credit hour. Therefore, 12 hour courseload = 36 hour study time/week Total school time per week = = 48 hours (This isn’t high school anymore.)

Keeney-Kennicutt, Department of Chemistry, TAMU 3 2. GO TO CLASS! Nothing can replace the experience of “being” there – o The explanations o The demos o The in-class quizzes o Announcements o Hints for the exams You can get the notes from friends, the web or go to tutors, but it’s not the same. Read before class

Keeney-Kennicutt, Department of Chemistry, TAMU 4 3. Don’t be afraid of your professor Ask questions in class – sit in the “magic T” (the front middle section) to minimize the “fear” factor Visit your prof before or after class and during office hours Send her/him s Get to know your prof – you may be asking for letters of recommendation in the future!

Keeney-Kennicutt, Department of Chemistry, TAMU 5 4. Take advantage of all FREE help. TA Office Hours in Rm 116 HELD (8:30-12:30 & 1:30-4:30 daily Friday closes at 12:30pm) SI Sessions Prof Office Hours & Review Sessions All info on the web page:

Keeney-Kennicutt, Department of Chemistry, TAMU 6 5. The Web Pages You will find on your prof’s page: o Sample exam questions (generic) (Some profs put their old exams on) o A way to check grades on the web o Math Review o Class notes, syllabi, good info (my page has notes for both Chem 101 and 102) o Links to tutorials/help

Keeney-Kennicutt, Department of Chemistry, TAMU 7 6. Lab Web Page On the lab web page for each prof: o Hints on doing well in lab o List of the TAs and addresses o Make-Up Policy & form o AGAIN – link to the math review – all TAs deduct points for incorrect significant figures

Keeney-Kennicutt, Department of Chemistry, TAMU 8 7. How to do well in lab (1/4 of grade) Give yourself enough time to read the lab, complete the prelab, report form and postlab so you can get help. Don’t wait until the hour before lab starts! Come prepared to lab – Remember safety goggles and correct attire. Do your own work – Academic dishonesty is a serious offense. It’s OK to work together, just use your own data and your own words.

Keeney-Kennicutt, Department of Chemistry, TAMU 9 7. (cont.) How to do well in lab Listen to your TA during recitation & ask questions Visit your TA during office hours Make copies of prelabs, report forms and postlabs. You may not get them back in time to study for quizzes. Lab quizzes do reflect the theory and calculations done in lab. Some profs also include lecture material.

Keeney-Kennicutt, Department of Chemistry, TAMU What Else? Try to recognize EARLY if you are having trouble with Chemistry. There is lots of help available – but you have to know that you need it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you are having personal problems, visit with your prof and/or see me (I’m a TAMU Mentor) ASAP in Room 116C HELD.