Atoms and Molecules

Tips - How to Succeed

• Read this unit guide. Repay my effort in writing it.

• Plan your week in advance. Keep up-to-date with the lectures, the background reading and the example problems.

• Attend all lectures, tutorials and test sessions; they are compulsory and have attendance lists. Sit up front in the lectures and tutorials. Be punctual. If material is unavoidably missed, catch up before you are next able to attend by writing your own notes based on the directed reading and attempting the associated problems; copying inferior notes from another student is a sure way to failure. Let your personal tutor know if you have any problems preventing your attendance.

• Use time efficiently. Time is the limiting factor. Listen and learn while in lectures. Take notes. If the lecturer speaks too quickly so that you cannot take notes, ask him to slow down or provide notes, or (desperation time) tape his lectures.

• Record clues given by lecturer about what is or is not important. Learn from the fortnightly tests and their feedback sessions. The textbook contains much material that should be read to give background and a 'feel' for the subject but need NOT be learnt by heart. Make use of the CD-ROM.

• Review the same day as your lectures. Review everything again on weekends.

Repetition is the basis of memory

Study:

Learn as you go along. There is not time enough for everything just before the exam. Look at any associated learning aids. Switch subjects every half-hour or so (find your own limit) or exercise briefly. Fresh starts are efficient. Don't just read. Stop reading after each paragraph - close your eyes - ask yourself what are the highlights of that paragraph. Have paper and pencil available, but don't try to rewrite all your lecture notes. (There is not enough time). Use colours, underline and/or highlight. For key facts that are difficult but important such as a molecular structure, put on 3 x 5 inch cards. Carry these in your pocket and review between classes or during otherwise 'wasted' time. Some students find it helpful to be part of a study group. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you have difficulties.

Repetition is the basis of memory

Self-evaluation:

Try to answer all the study problems without looking up the answers too quickly. Check that you understand how to do all the test questions.

Taking the tests and examination:

Revise your notes and the worked example problems for at least 15 hours, spread over five days, before the final examination. Go to sleep at your regular hour the night before your tests. Set your alarm to get up early and do a last minute review for short-term memory. Eat a carbohydrate breakfast such as cereal before the exam. Carry sugary sweets with you. First, answer the easy questions. Then, go back and answer the difficult ones. Don't get upset about them; you have to get 40% not 100%. Keep track of time during the exam and tests.

The Examination and tests are multiple choice. Read each question carefully. Make sure that you understand what is being asked. There is only one correct answer for each question (i.e. row on the answer sheet). If you get stuck on a question, move quickly on to the next and go back to it at the end.

Make sure that you answer all the questions as it is worth being fairly bold.

If you do not know the correct answer, but know some wrong answers, then you should guess between the remainder.

Completely randomly chosen answers gain no credit, but it is to your advantage if you attempt all the questions.

Post-test and post-exam:

Look up topics you answered wrong, even if you have passed. Learn from your mistakes. You will need the knowledge later in your course. Some test questions may be asked again in the examination and/or later tests.

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This page was last updated by Martin Chaplin
on 29 August, 2003