How can I improve my chemistry grade?

Question

I have a C+ right now in my honors placement chemistry class. I wish to have an A. How can I raise it?

Answer 1

This is meant for math, but a lot of it applies for other subjects too:

Top 10 Study Tips

# 1. Try your homework on your own first!
The first step is figuring out where your problems are. No one else can figure that out for you, and if you don't honestly attempt your homework, you'll never know what you can or can't do. Someone else can help you learn the material, but this process is much more efficient if you already have a list of questions or topics that you need help with.

# 2. Learn the way your teacher wants you to do the questions!
Many teachers want you to do things "their way" so it's important to have clear, complete examples in your notes from which to study. We have all had a teacher who refuses to give credit for having the right answer, but the wrong form, or method. Instead of getting into a power struggle, and getting on your teacher's bad side, learn what is expected of you and use that as your model.

# 3. Learn the "vocabulary" of your math class!
Many students struggle on tests because they learn to just look at the "math part" of the question and go on instinct. They do not actually read the question, often because they wouldn't really understand the words in the question anyway. When studying, pay particular attention to the wording of questions. Learn what is of expected of you when the question says, "Simplify" or "Evaluate." Most students don't realize that sometimes half the questions actually tell you exactly what to do, if you just understood what the instructions said!

# 4. Don't think that just doing the assigned homework is always enough practice!
One of the biggest mistakes math students make is thinking that they should be fine because they did the assigned homework. Most students are not adequately prepared for tests if all they've done is keep up with the homework. You may be glad at first if you find yourself with a teacher that only assigns a handful of homework questions per night, but these are exactly the students who wonder why their marks aren't higher! You must continue to do questions -- even the ones your teacher didn't assign -- until you know you understand it. Otherwise, you're just fooling yourself.

# 5. Review questions from many different days' homework at the same time!
It's easy to focus on one kind of question at a time, but you have to learn how to do questions when they appear in any order. One helpful strategy is to write out several different kinds of questions on separate index cards. On the back, work out a full solution. When studying, reach into the pile and pick a card at random. When you can successfully complete any question you pull out, then you know you're ready for a test!

# 6.Be clear about which material is fair game for tests!
Will tests be based on questions from the text book only? Which topics will be covered on the test? If you don't know, ask! Warning, you do run the risk of sounding like one of those annoying students who isn't interested in something that isn't on the test. Unfortunately, though, you have to do whatever it takes to get the best marks possible, and studying the right material is a part of earning the highest marks possible.

# 7.Try to answer questions in class, don't just ask them!
It's good to ask questions, but you should also try to give answers. It's good practice, and teachers will appreciate your efforts.

# 8. Let your teacher know when you have problems!
Often teachers know which topics are hard for students, and they might have extra handouts or resources for just such an occasion! This feedback can also help the teacher see which topics she might need to spend more time on in class, or might need to explain in more detail. If no one speaks up, then the teacher won't know there are problems!

# 9. Go for extra help!
Many teachers are happy to offer extra help, and are happy that you care enough to spend extra time outside of class. Sometimes you might learn even more, such as which are likely test questions, because teachers can let extra information slip (often without realizing it) in extra help sessions. Subconsciously, the teacher may give out helpful information. And, when it comes time to marking your test, your teacher may also be subconsciously "pulling for you" because of your efforts outside of class, and she might give you the benefit of the doubt when marking. Every little bit helps!

# 10. Start working right from Day One!
The first few days of class can seem so easy that you might think that you don't need to get serious just yet. But, this is your opportunity to get into good habits, when they're easy enough to keep! You might even try reading ahead a bit. Make good use of your time in the beginning because you'll be wishing you had it back later in the semester! Of course, if you didn't get off to a good start, decide to get back on track right now! Better late than never.


One more thing . . .

If you're not writing anything down, you're not really studying! We always say that to prepare for a test, you should practice doing exactly what you'll be asked to do on the test. If you had a piano exam, you would practice your pieces over and over again, not just stare at the sheet music saying, "Yeah, I know that." The same goes with math studying.


Specific Tips: Before, During and After Class


Before class:
# Review the last day's notes and homework questions. Next day's lesson will make more sense if you have a solid understanding of the work that came before.
# Read over the new material you expect to be covering in class ahead of time. Try to figure out just a little bit of the next lesson on your own before class. High school students are typically not taught to do this, but this is an absolutely essential university skill. Why not get in the habit now?
# Get a good night's sleep.
# Tell your teacher if you know you will be missing a class. Ask what the homework will be and whether you can get copies of the lesson notes or come in for a make up session.

During class:
# Pay attention! As tough as it may be to concentrate some days, being attentive is essential if you want to understand what's going on.
# Sit where you can see the board. (Or wear your glasses, even if you think they look bad!)
# Avoid Distractions. If you need to sit away from your friends or away from the window, then do it.
# Don't ask people sitting next to you questions while the lesson is going on. You may mean well, and want to just get a little point clarified, but if you stop focusing on the lesson while the teacher is still going, you'll only get further behind. If you think it's appropriate, ask the teacher. This way, you (and the person you're asking!) won't miss more information and set you further behind.
# Copy the homework down before leaving class.

After class:
# Do your homework right away. Often, students understand the lesson in class, but then wait too long to attempt the homework. By that time, you may have forgotten too much. Doing the homework right after class makes a huge difference in how well you remember the material! This also gives you more time to get extra help if you need it.
# Attempt every question in your textbook (unless your teacher specifically said to avoid certain questions). Teachers often only assign "even" or "odd" questions for homework. Do you really think one set of questions is better than the other? Do you really think that your teacher picked the "evens" instead of the "odds" for a special reason? No, it's just usually convenient. In fact, teachers know that most students don't even look at the other questions in the textbook, and that's why test questions often come right from the book --they're the questions that the teacher didn't assign!
# Organize your binder. Recopy your notes if they are too messy. Punch and file loose sheets of paper before they get crumpled or lost.

Answer 2

I'm in AP Chemistry, and I understand that Honors can get very difficult. I suggest paying attention in class and doing well on your labs. You could also ask your teacher if she could assign some extra-credit.

Try going to a University library and reading other books. I tried that! The textbook I was using did not adequately describe what I was being taught in class so that really helped!

I know that Sparknotes also has Chemistry study guides, so look into that online...they put the lessons into "simple words" so it's easy to follow along.

Basically you should do your homework, pay attention in class and spend some extra time studying on the weekend, this will help you pass your tests! If you succeed this year, I suggest signing up for AP.

Answer 3

Here are a few chemistry specific tips:

1. Make sure you understand how to cancel units. I've gotten so many problems right that I wasn't really sure about by just using units.

2. Spend time doing problems. This is directly correlated to success.

3. Read your book! I've tutored so many students who never opened their book. I got one girl to get her grade from an F to an A because she started reading and doing problems.

4. Look into buying a cheap used textbook if yours doesn't have good examples. Zumbdal is very good.

5. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Chemistry is a tough subject, so take advantage of tutors and the teacher.

Answer 4

A few comments:

1. If you haven't already, learn to cancel units. It's an important way to verify your answers on tests.

2. Focus on the "why" questions. For example, don't just memorize the periodic trends for ionization energy. Learn why hydrogen has a higher ionization energy than lithium (hint: it has to do with shielding from the 1s electrons).

3. In chemistry lab, do extra research for your lab reports. One of the main things that high school chemistry students seem to struggle with is coming up with possible improvements in their lab report conclusions. You're not actually expected to invent a new method. Just go down to your local university library and look up another method for what you did in class (hint: a reference to spectroscopic methods would really impress your teacher).

4. Start your problem sets early, and go to office hours to get help on questions you don't understand.

5. Life is about more than just grades. Focus on learning chemistry, not getting higher grades. I recommend that you approach your teacher by saying that you don't really understand the material and you want his/her help to clarify it. This will get a much better response.

Answer 5

Study harder, ask for extra credit, haggle with the teacher and see if you can somehow work out a way for your final to be your overall grade. So if you get an A on your final you get an A in the class. Talk to your teacher and be sincere about how much you want an A and why

Answer 6

The real trick a lot of chemistry majors do not pick up, is learn how to understand reactions at an atomic level. Don't memorize reactions, understand why they react and you'll be able to explain reactions you've never seen before.

Answer 7

Mychemistry

Answer 8

I would take the time to ask the teacher questions and get any help you need if you are having difficulty understanding. You also can't go wrong studying.

Answer 9

i take chem class honors also. make sure to look over labs a lot and have someone else look over them. the 2 biggest things are exams and labs. if u focus in class (participation should be an easy A) then u can achieve your goal.

Answer 10

I find the easiest way is make sure you do all your homework, and ask for help teachers can be pretty flexible when it comes to students out do to illnesses..

Answer 11

Do better in exams. If you have questions on a SPECIFIC homework problem, post it in the homework sub-section here or the chemistry sub-section in Science.