[capfroggy2k]

I am a undergraduate taking chemistry classes. What is a good way to study chemistry so that when I get to the problems I remember all of the concepts. It seems like there is a lot to remember. What techniques do you use?

[JGK]

The methods of "studying" chemistry are many and varied and different methods suit different people.

You say you are now studying (undergraduate) chemistry, what methods did you apply to your studies at lower levels of schooling? Can you apply these methods to your current studies?

There are some methods you can't use without help from other sources. For example, I found my University's use of "Keller Plan" learning for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry very useful.  "Keller Plan" learning involves the assignment of small reading assignments followed by a short comprehension test. If you successfully completed the test you progress to the next reading assignment or you had to retake the unit.  This ran independently of lecture courses but progress backed up the lecture course material.

[capfroggy2k]

Well I would simply learn something by drilling it into my head. The reason I ask this question is that sometimes I find it difficult to remember the concepts when I am trying to solve a problem, as if everything just flew out the window. Thus, obviously it is hard to interpret problems when you don;t have any knowledge of the concepts in your head. Anyway, I wanted to know things like if people used flashcards for equations, read their notes a bunch of time, etc..

[JGK]

Well I would simply learn something by drilling it into my head. The reason I ask this question is that sometimes I find it difficult to remember the concepts when I am trying to solve a problem, as if everything just flew out the window. Thus, obviously it is hard to interpret problems when you don;t have any knowledge of the concepts in your head. Anyway, I wanted to know things like if people used flashcards for equations, read their notes a bunch of time, etc..

It's like I said there are thousands of different methods and they don't suit everyone. I suggested you rely on the methods that got you into university as a base. By all means try other methods but you may find that they don't help or they don't suit the subject matter. Study methods are a personal thing and you need to find a system that suits you, just because someone elseuses a method doesn't mean it's better or that it will work for you.

[macman104]

I find the best practice for me is doing the problems in the back of chapters.  That will usually help you understand, but only if you take the time to understand why you are solving it the way you are (if that makes sense).  If you simply copy an example problem that is similar without the basic understanding, it's a waste of your time.

[capfroggy2k]

I find the best practice for me is doing the problems in the back of chapters.  That will usually help you understand, but only if you take the time to understand why you are solving it the way you are (if that makes sense).  If you simply copy an example problem that is similar without the basic understanding, it's a waste of your time.

yeah it makes sense