General Chemistry I
Course ID: 01:160:161
Learning from Classroom Instruction
• Prepare notes prior to each class to serve as an outline to follow when you don’t understand a concept.
• Complete textbook problems assigned by the lecturer. Pre-read information before class to integrate the new information presented. After completing textbook problems, complete posted lecture problems.
• To help jog your memory, write down notes that represent the overarching concepts from each textbook.
Learning for and from Assignments
• The professor assigns homework problems for each chapter. To avoid falling behind on material, annotate the homework with step-by-step instructions on how to solve the problem. This will be helpful for revisions in the future.
• This course focuses on testing students with weekly homeworks. To prepare for these, students should practice the lecture and textbook problems ahead of time. The homework assignments are released each week, and answers are released immediately after completing an assignment. It is crucial that students fix their mistakes during this time and ask the instructors for supplemental information.
Preparing and Studying for Exams
• The most advantageous way to study for exams is to look back at in-class problems and homework questions. It is important to understand why a certain step was taken to get to the end result.
• Revising concepts are also very important as it allows students to have a better comprehension on what mathematical approaches need to be used. Start preparing for the exams as soon as possible as it will allow you to attend more office hours and see where the topics are the most difficult.
Helpful External Resources
• Attending recitations are extremely important for the students.
• There are lecture videos posted on canvas that go over material throughout the course as well as office hours provided by TIs weekly (PPS – practice problem solving sessions)
• Organic Chemistry Tutor and the Learning Center study groups are helpful. Use the textbook to get a more comprehensive understanding of the material. (Note from Faculty: External online video resources often present material and concepts at a level below what we expect Rutgers students to achieve. Therefore, we recommend such resources be used cautiously and as a small part of a broader set of resources.)