Student Orientation

Chemistry Study/Test Tips

Do not miss lecture or lab class - you will miss important information that you cannot get through the text or notes alone.

Use the recitation times to ask questions and review concepts that you are struggling with!

Utilize the office hours that the TAs have posted. NOTE: You don't have to visit YOUR TA's office. All TA's are qualified to help you! Visit another TA, sometimes a different perspective is all you need.

Read the lecture notes that were purchased from the bookstore prior to coming to class and once again after the lecture.

Re-write your notes soon after class, to retain some of the extra information given during lecture and to organize the notes for clarity and understanding. This also puts the information through your mind a second time.

Arrange study groups of 2-3 people, as three heads are better than one. Another student may have heard information you are missing, or understand a concept better. Also, teaching a topic to another student is a great way to learn.

Take a few deep breaths as the test is handed out.

Finish the questions that you can answer first, skipping those you do not know right away. This ensures that you do not get stuck on one question and miss possible points later in the test.

Eliminate answers that you know are wrong, or don’t seem feasible. This includes terms that you do not remember seeing before but “sound right”- the professor could have made them up.

Go with your gut reaction- do not change an answer until you can convince yourself it is correct.

There is no relation to how quickly students finish a test and their success on the test. Both high and low grade students finish in 20 minutes, and both high and low are still finishing the test at the last minute. Do not let people getting up before you cause panic- go at the pace you need.

For All or None of the Above Questions:
You only have to find one right answer to not be “none of the above”
You only have to find one wrong answer to not be “all of the above”

Ask the professor or TA for help- that is what they are here for!