what is the best way to study chemestry and calculus?

Answer 1

I had the worst time with chemistry. So I studied in two ways: the first was the problems, you know, how many mols of what is in whatever? and that type of thing. Write out these questions with the answers and keep in your notebook. There are lots of workbooks out there and they are invaluable eg Chemistry for Dummies; but my favorite was the Schaum's Outline of Inorganic Chemistry, I think that was the title; go to the Schaum's web page or order it from Amazon for dirt cheap.
The other type of chemistry problem is the reaction formulation: H20 <-->2H + 0, or some damn thing like that. You have to memorize this. Here is where the 3x5 cards come in. Now you will have them for review for the final.

Calculus studying is similar. First you have to know the proofs. I have a PhD in physics and still have to go back to the limit problems in Schaum's Outline of Calculus, Advanced Calculus, Differential and Integral Calculus. There is a great book called Word Problems in Calculus; buy it at Border's or Amazon for cheap. Work the problems and know the proofs.

In both cases, no matter what the explanation in a book or your notes, you will find a brick wall to your understanding. Go to your professor and tell him where you have a failed to understand. Bring paper and pencil so he can write on it to help you.
And, never give up. Work a problem until you sweat blood. You will learn from your mistakes as well as your triumphs.

One last tip: take notes in your notebook but only on the right hand side of the open notebook. Use your textbook to fill in the blanks when you go over your notes as soon after class as possible, and do this on the left hand,facing, side; use colored pencils/pens generously. Go over your notes this way before beginning your homework. Be diligent even when your friends are calling.

Answer 2

It really depends you. Everyone has a different study style that works best for them. Sometimes, the techniques that work in one area of study are different from those that work best in another area.

For instance, for me studying Calculus was a matter of rote memory. I had to go over formulas again and again until it was drilled into my brain. Whereas, in Chemistry I had to be able to *see* it. I made models and diagrams and charts as study aids for myself.

You may also be an audio learner - making recordings of the material you are studying and playing it back while you study may help you. Or you may be a kinetic learner. You study best when you have an activity to contect the material to (I may be partly a kinetic learner since the actions of drawing helped me learn Chemistry).

Try different methods. See what works best for you and that will be "the best way to study chemistry and calculus."