At the end of last year's class, I asked the students to write a sentence or two of advice to the next class. Here are their responses:

• I never knew chem could be so interesting. I was totally lost during my 2 1/2 years of high school chem, but somehow it all seemed to "click" here. Don't be intimidated - it's not that bad!! J
• Don't just do the homework or copy it -- make sure you understand it.
• For next years student, DON'T GIVE UP! I was down and out for awhile because I just couldn't seem to understand - no matter how hard I tried. It also takes a lot of attention and a desire to do well. It got worse for me before it got better, but I'm actually starting to develop an appreciation for chemistry, which I didn't think I'd say two months ago.
• Take the advice at the beginning of the year… don't slack off just because it's easy at first. You get way behind and it's hard to catch up.
• Do not get behind!
• Take responsibility for your learning. Don't expect the teacher to answer all your questions in class because that gets to be a waste of everyone else's time.
• Don't get behind if you do it is impossible to catch up.
• Stay on top of your homework. Learn each thing well, because it will be used later.
• Don't miss class, everything will be clearer if you go to every class.
• Study in a group. Set aside a certain time every night for just chem.
• Don't study too much information. At the start of the year I was studying by the book & should've paid more attention to just notes.
• Read the material before coming to class.
• Make note cards to memorize equations and changes.
• It's easy, don't worry about it.
• Don't fall behind right away, you'll never catch up.
• I wish I would have known some chemistry.
• Just do the assignments & listen in class.
• Advice #1: Just because you can do the homework doesn't mean you can do test problems.
• #2: Don't rely on even answers unless absolutely necessary.
• #3: Use old exams to study for new ones.
• Understand all of the homework questions.
• It's worth while.
• Study hard for tests and take advantage of study guides or extra assignments. It really does make a difference.
• Utilize the tutors - helps to get a different opinion sometimes
• Stay on top of things - don't do your assign. During lecture or you'll play catch up.
• Take good notes - pay particular attention to examples -- will help on tests.
• Study quizzes for test.
• Stay on top of things, it may seem easy on the first test, but the 2^nd & 3^rd tests each get harder, don't fall behind no matter how slow & easy you think it is, you will pay for it later.
• The first chapters seem easy, but don't underestimate the first test, it finds ways to get you if you're not prepared.
• That they know something about physics.
• Do all of the homework and if you have any questions ask them.
• Keep up with the daily assignments so you don't fall behind. Don't make the mistake of doing so well on the first test that you don't study for the second. They get harder!
• I would tell them to do their homework. Doing my homework helped me the most not only do you get credit for it, but if you do it, you don't need to cram for the tests.
• If you don't understand something in the beginning ask otherwise it will give you problems the rest of the year.
• Do the homework every day and by test time you'll know the stuff quite well.
• If it is at all possible, don't miss class and try to read as much of the text as possible. Both of these give you an advantage.
• Make sure you are ready for it - otherwise take the slower course - (111).
• Always keep up with homework and reading because if you get behind, it's really hard to catch up. Study a lot for exams too!
• Keep up w/homework - don't fall behind, know periodic properties & basic terms, as well as electron configurations.
• Read the text book & make sure & learn the info at the beginning - DON'T put it off, because it is cumulative!
• Ask questions when they come up or you will end up even more confused later.
• This course requires a lot of preparation outside of class. Plan your schedule well. You count to make sure you can devote as much time as possible to this class.
• I would say just go involve yourself, do the math and you'll be just fine.
• Keep up with the readings & homework. That way you will be better suited for class & what's going on. This is very important.
• Don't expect the class to be anywhere near as easy as high school chem. Make sure you get help as soon as you don't understand something, don't get behind.
• The homework load is much more than any other class I had. Be sure to have your assignments done before you get to class. Some people wouldn't have theirs done until the middle of class, which really would've restricted their learning. I'd think.
• Don't do chemistry at 2:00 in the morning, it becomes a different language. Don't fall asleep in class! Bring pop to try and stay alert and don't feel stupid if you don't understand something, he's great at explaining.
• Study notes from your last math class.
• Keep up w/the assignments. If you get behind, your learning will be behind & you'll feel like you are struggling w/the class. Also if you struggling w/a concept ask questions!!! That's the only way you are going to attempt to understand.
• Go to the tutor if you don't understand what's going on. You need to understand or else you're SCREWED when it comes to tests. Do your reading assignments and compare them to lecture notes - that helps a lot!
• I'd probably say just to go to class every day and pay good attention.
• Know the periodic table. Don't take shortcuts in calculations, understand unit conversions & algebra.
• Make sure to do every assignment and put in extra time to make sure you know the hard problems. Knowing just the problems on the assignment isn't enough.
• Make sure you completely understand the homework. Don't do it just to get it done.
• Keep up.
• Study and do all of your questions, even if they aren't right at least try them.
• Do the reading - when you go to class new material doesn't come as a shock. Use it as an intro. Go to class. Mark explains even better than the text - and you won't miss any quizzes. You can't make them up. Study w/somebody else. What you don't know they might & vise versa.
• Do assignments and ask questions; Prof is always available - good resource.
• Be prepared to do work out of class. This is not a sluff class. It takes a lot of time and energy to do well. It is a rather challenging course. The tests are not easy.
• Listen to Dr. Jensen and follow his examples. He does a great job explaining what you need to know and how to do things. His lecture is very important.
• Do your homework everyday because it's not much until you have 2 or 3 assignments to catch up on - then you're in trouble.
• Read the chapters! You must in order to do well. I didn't the first time I took the class. Read Read Read! Work on chemistry everyday, even if you are done with your homework.
• Do the homework!!
• They should study & leave a lot of time to get assignments done. Always go to class.
• Do assignments, know the problems.
• Learn more in high school, pay attention, and read the book.
• Do your homework everyday before class.
• Take this course when you’re a freshman. Study more, don't wait till your senior year you'll regret it.
• Study really hard for the tests because they are going to be trickier than the assignments.
• Go to the tutor! Get to know other classmates! They are your best resource & teaching tool. Know your prof so you can ask questions. Read the text.
• Stay caught up and ask if you don't understand!!