How to Learn Chemistry

Chemistry can be a difficult subject to learn, especially when you learn this complex science the wrong way. While there’s no secret shortcut to becoming good at Chemistry overnight, you can still master it by studying it the right way. Once you know how to study and prepare, you can focus on understanding concepts better.

Table of Contents

Preparing for Chemistry

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Review math knowledge. In Chemistry you will need to apply many formulas and solve equations. If you don’t remember how to solve a functional or quadratic equation, you should review your algebraic knowledge. These knowledge will help you solve similar math problems when learning chemistry. Some math concepts you need to know are: ^{[1] X Research Sources}

Algebraic equations (write equations and solve exercises)
Index number
Negative
Scientific notation
Fraction
Logarithmic function

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Learn to read and understand the periodic table and its arrangement. To get good at chemistry, you need to learn about the elements. Just as learning math is about knowing how to read numbers, vital in chemistry is the ability to read and understand the periodic table. You will need to understand the arrangement of the periodic table to learn more complex concepts in Chemistry. Some important sorting directions you need to know:

Electronegativity
Ionization Energy
Atomic Radius
Electron affinity

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Learn core concepts and learn how to solve math step by step. This starts with understanding measurement systems, scientific methods, chemical nomenclature, and atomic structure. The reason many people often find chemistry difficult is because they don’t understand the fundamental concepts before entering more advanced learning.

Many of the basic chemistry concepts can be learned through the free resources available on the school’s website. ^{[2] X Research Source}
You can also read helpful guidebooks such as the “For Dummies” series or SparkNotes, which can be purchased at your local bookstore.
Handwrite concepts to learn. ^{[3] X Research Source} Studies have shown that writing by hand makes it easier to memorize concepts. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Make flashcards . Every time you learn a new word or concept, make flashcards for it. This is useful for learning the periodic table as well as other principles. Go through flashcards several times a week to keep the information in mind.

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Apply mnemonic techniques. Try to think of elements with a symbol, such as an apple or a ball. It could be anything you can imagine when you mention that element. It may sound counter-intuitive, but this helps create strong links and makes it easier for you to remember information. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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3D thinking. Use visual aids to help understand the lesson. ^{[6] X Research Resources} We are often taught with textbooks with 2D images of molecules, but remember chemistry exists in a 3D world. Use 3D modeling or train your brain to visualize molecular structures in 3D.

Liverpop University has a website called ChemTube 3D with free interactive animations that simulate chemical concepts and structures. This website is available on both phones and tablets. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Read textbooks

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Choose a good textbook that covers all the important concepts. Do not read non-pedagogical books because they are written in a very easy to understand style. You will think that you understand chemistry when you really don’t have a solid grasp of any of the basic principles. ^{[8] X Research Resources} To find good study books, visit a university bookstore and see which books are recommended by professors.

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Solve all the exercises you come across. Practice your problem-solving skills by solving the exercises in the book every time you come across them. Exercises in the textbook are often added to reinforce your knowledge of the lesson. Work through the exercises until you get the correct answer and understand each step of the solution. ^{[9] X Research Source}

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Don’t skip any paragraphs. You need to understand all the principles. If something is confusing, take the time to figure it out. Look up the table of contents to find the answer to something you don’t understand.

If you still can’t find a clue, ask a tutor or a better friend to help you. You can also ask the teacher or professor. Write down questions that arise while reading and ask your teacher or professor the next day.

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Ask yourself questions about the formulas. Every time you learn a new formula, ask yourself questions to make sure you fully understand the concept. Memorizing formulas won’t help you apply them properly in the lab or test. Ask yourself the following questions as you learn a new recipe: ^{[10] X Research Source}

What system or reaction does this formula describe?
What do the variants and their units mean? (The units help you understand what to do next).
When and how to apply this formula?
Its importance?

Do experiments in the lab

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Practice concepts. Look for opportunities to be able to turn abstract chemistry concepts into reality in the lab, which helps you understand them better. ^{[11] X Research Sources} Many people find that they absorb a lesson better by practicing it instead of simply reading it.

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Try to see connections between what you find in the lab and what you read and learn from books. If you sign up for Chemistry, the lab is the place to support the content and lectures. Pay close attention to the exercises before and after the test, because you will probably come across what you have learned in the test.

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Practice the scientific method. Chemistry is an experimental science. Seize every opportunity to learn through hands-on experiments. It gives you the opportunity to review your knowledge of measurement and equations. Experimenting will also be fun.

Build good study habits

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Study at least 1 hour a day. Reviewing what you have learned every day will help reinforce your knowledge. Studying for a short time each day of the week will give better results than studying all day before the exam. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Just as athletes practice their sport every day to get better, you need to do the same for learning and excelling at chemistry.
These chemistry concepts are built on top of each other, so if you don’t understand one, you won’t be able to understand another that builds on the previous one.

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Complete all exercises. Exercises are important in helping you understand concepts and pass the course, and they can also affect your overall ranking. If you don’t complete all the exercises, you will have a hard time understanding the concepts and may fail the exam. Be sure to complete and submit all assignments on time.

If you don’t know how to do your homework, schedule a time to meet your teacher and ask for help.

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Go to school fully. While enough schooling may seem unnecessary in undergraduate chemistry, skipping even one class can affect your ability to understand concepts. Make sure to attend class regularly and do not miss any class unless there is an emergency or serious illness.

If you miss a class, arrange to take notes from those who attended that day. Exchange phone numbers or emails with a few classmates to make sure someone can be reached.
Also, be sure to get the professor’s email to report your absence that day. They will gladly let you retake the test that day during business hours. You can also stop by their office during business hours to get extra help if needed.

Advice

Don’t stress when you make a mistake. Mistakes are only part of the learning process. Everyone makes mistakes.
Plan to study 15 hours a week if Chemistry is your main subject.
Know how to rest! Chemistry requires a lot of thought. Make sure to get enough sleep and rest before you start studying.
When taking the test, start with the top questions and give yourself more time to solve these.

Steps

Preparing for Chemistry

Read textbooks

Do experiments in the lab

Build good study habits

Advice

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