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Chemistry is a popular academic field with mass appeal for STEM students. Statistics show that a total of 21,238 chemistry degrees were awarded in the US. More than 1.12 million professionals with this major were in the workforce, indicating a growth of 2.38% from the previous year. The demand in the field will likely increase, with industries like chemical, nuclear energy, and pharmaceuticals growing rapidly.
Besides job security, chemistry graduates have excellent earning potential. The mean hourly wages are $ $ 43.53, while the mean annual wage is a whopping $ 90,530. As an aspiring STEM student, you have several valid reasons to explore a career in this field.
Before embarking on your dream career, you need to find the right academic direction. At some point, all chemistry students struggle with the complex concepts of the subject. While there aren’t any shortcuts, you can rely on these proven study strategies to overcome your challenges and master these concepts.
Table of Contents
Be Alert During Lectures
Paying attention during chemistry lectures is non-negotiable, whether you are a high-school beginner or a master’s student. Listen to each word of your professors, and take copious notes throughout the lectures. Focus beyond what the teacher writes on the board, and copy the verbal points for future reference.
Besides being attentive in class, read your textbooks to revise and reinforce the tricky concepts. Do not hesitate to ask questions and clear doubts by discussing these parts with peers and professors. Staying on top of class assignments and projects is another way to stay on top of the most complicated chemistry concepts.
Dig Deep Into the Mechanisms
Chemistry is a hands-on subject, with practical lab experiments being as critical as theoretical lectures. If you are keen to master the concepts, focus on digging deep into the mechanisms and reactions instead of cramming the theory. Trying to memorize everything will only make you feel overwhelmed.
Understand the reactions properly, from why to how and when they happen. You can simplify learning and understanding by organizing materials. Try using tools such as flashcards and interactive videos to retain the topics for the long haul. The goal should be to minimize memorization and rely on your knowledge.
Seek Additional Support
Even the sharpest and brightest chemistry students feel stumped at some points. Concepts such as chemical bonds, electron valency, and polarity are often the most challenging for students. You may fall short, no matter how much attention you pay in classes. Additional support is a game changer. Proprep recommends using an online platform with video tutorials for interactive learning.
Understanding the chemical structures of complex molecules like hydrogen cyanide is a lot easier with the help of video tutorials. They usually offer an interactive overview of the HCN Lewis structure for complete concept clarity. Beyond simplifying the concept, video tutorials make them easier to remember, regardless of their complexity.
Ace Time Management
Regularity and consistency are the secrets successful chemistry scholars swear by. You can achieve both these goals by acing time management so that you have enough to revise concepts daily. Experts recommend studying chemistry for at least one hour daily instead of piling up work for an extended weekend session.
Also, start studying early from the start of the semester. Seeking help early will put you ahead of the game. Once again, joining an online platform is beneficial in several ways. You can schedule your study hours according to your convenience and access content depending on your comfort level. The best part is that you can study from the comfort of your home after completing your classes at school.
Practice Problems and Solutions
Chemistry is a subject of problems and solutions. You cannot take a set-and-forget approach to solving them because things may slip out of your mind sooner than later. Rework your notes and practice problems after each lecture. Work through the notes and redraw the structures to make neat copies for referencing later.
Good practice is about trying to solve every problem in every chapter. It may sound unrealistic, but you can complete the task without experiencing burnout. Divide your goals into actionable milestones and timelines. You can even create “cycles” to practice problems and return to them later in the next cycle.
The Bottom Line
Studying chemistry can get on your nerves because of its countless complex concepts. You may feel burdened by them, even if you love the subject. Fortunately, there are ways to understand the most challenging parts of chemistry and retain these concepts for good. Try these simple steps to overcome your challenges and shine as a scholar.