WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED

Often we find that students fail because no one ever told them what it takes to succeed. They may become discouraged because no one ever defined for them how hard they are supposed to try. So here it is.

---Spend AT LEAST 12 hours weekly on Chemistry, including class time. Preferably, this should be divided evenly ---2 hours daily, six days a week. Work in comfortable, quiet surroundings, but SIT UP! Assuming you had 5 courses, each as demanding as this one, that would amount to a 60-hour work week. You may as well get used to this; not too many successful people do the standard 40-hour week anymore. Some students find it helpful to leave one day (say, Sunday or Saturday) completely open for relaxation/recreation. More than this should not be required.

---Scan the book BEFORE the lecture. See if the lecture answers points about which you were uncertain. Then, try the problems. If you can’t do them, read the book and try again.

---Don't wait to ask questions, especially "stupid" ones. An exalted chemist I knew used to say "you have to be willing to look stupid if you are ever to be smart."

---Learn from others. You certainly learn from your own mistakes, but learning from the mistakes of others is much less painful. Watch who succeeds and ask how. Be available for them to learn from you, too. It’s a class, not a contest.

---Work with friends or family outside your study group. Often your friends are better teachers than anyone else, because they see the problems much as you do, rather than from an "expert" viewpoint.

--When talking to others about Chemistry, sometimes it becomes easy to slip into "jargon"--a shorthand, abbreviated language. Try instead to express your ideas in COMPLETE SENTENCES. Talking about Chemistry will help as much as listening to others talk about it. Try to talk to someone who doesn't know any chemistry at all, and tell them what you're learning.

---Use the Center for Academic Success.

---Try different books, available in Middleton library.

---Try sitting in on Chem1201 . We usually have excellent teachers in several sections. It may help to hear the material in a slightly different presentation, lecture style, etc. 

---SEE ME. You may just breeze in unannounced. If at all possible, I will provide immediate help.

---Don't worry about how others in the class are doing. Some will have strong Chemistry backgrounds already. Obviously, this helps! Do your personal best.

---Don't despair. Despite its large size, the Chemistry Department will bend over backwards to ensure your success, if you just keep asking (politely) and keep trying.

---Don't give up!!! Persistence really does pay. Endure!

Ganbatte!  Click the Japanese script for reference. 

January 15, 2007