Any ideas what i am in for? i have never done or taken chemistry course before not even chemistry for a 6yr ?

Question

now my nursing program require that i take chemistry at least the basic of chemistry. since i registered in this class i have been freaking out because the class is so dam expensive and i don't want to fail it. here is my question, has anyone been in this situation before? can i make it in this class or am i gonna fail it as i keeping thinking? i know i need it this course but how can i cope since i dont have any basic understanding in chemistry?

Answer 1

Chemistry is the study of using the Periodic Table.

Answer 2

I tutor the first 3 years of chem at my university. General Chemistry is usually split into 2 semesters and doesn't expect you to have any prior knowledge of chemistry. This list might be a little incomplete, some courses segue into voltage potentials and some different sorts of bonding.

The first semester you will:

Learn about the atomic theory of matter (things are made of atoms!)

Learn about atomic structure. Depending on if you're doing a fundamentals course or moving on after the first 2 semesters you will revisit this topic a couple of times and it will get a little more complex each time, but its not hard.

Learn to read the periodic table. This is pretty easy. You'll learn about a property of matter and then come back to the periodic table and learn about what patterns various periods and rows have.

Learn about ionic and covalent bonding and how to draw some simple diagrams. (you will need to count to 8)

Learn unit conversion and scientific notation (i.e. how to convert pounds to kilograms and significant digits)

Learn to write, read, and balance a chemical equation (easy algebra)

Then you go on to thermodynamics. You learn about thermodynamic equations and how to predict whether two things will react. (algebra can get a little more complex here and will require you to know logarithms and how to deal with quadratic equations)

You will learn about acids and bases and chemical equilibrium.

You will learn about kinetics and phases of matter and gas behavior which you may already have taken if you've ever had a physics course

And you will probably end with reduction/oxidation reactions.

To do well, always read the book before the lecture; Get an advanced algebra or precalc book so you can look up the rules for manipulating equations; don't fall behind. if you find a one concept hard to deal with you absolutely HAVE to fight with it till you are comfortable with it.

And if you want to brush up or do a little extra studying, MIT offers all their course material online. Here is their basic chemistry course with videos of the lectures, problem sets, etc. They don't do two semesters of chemistry, just one long course, so don't get intimidated by the amount of material they have up.

http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Chemistry/5-11...

Answer 3

Step 1 - Take a deep breath and relax.  Most of the other students are in the same boat you are.  As ChemGuy says, this is not the PreMed weed em out make em squeal like pigs chemistry that doctors have to take.  It is made to be basic so it should be just about right for you.

Step 2 - Take the advice of Mrs. J - Take things in small bites,  don't neglect your rest and don't be afraid to ask for help.  Remember that the Professor is there to help you, not the other way around.

Step 3 - Keep a positive attitude.  You may have some setbacks but these just mean you don't understand something...yet.  

Answer 4

I'm a microbiologist and I'm applying to medical school. All I can tell you is that general chemistry is a lot like mathematics so if your really good at math than don't sweat it. Its only if you have to take organic chem, then I would worry a little. Biochemistry is a lot like general chemistry with some basic biology thrown in the mix. So don't worry since you only need the minimum.

Good luck ^_^

Answer 5

if it's basic they will teach you everything

what you have to do though is really study , read, do practice problems and ask questions

Answer 6

Yes, I've been in your situation before. For one year of high school, my parents decided to send me to a "Christian" school. It was such a joke. It didn't accept state funding and therefore, did not have to meet state education standards. My "chemistry" class consisted of studying for other classes. The "teacher" took the entire year to cover 2 chapters of the book, and the only lab we had was spent making Gak one day with Borax. So, like I said, quite the joke. When I got to college, I struggled because I didn't know how to study (setting goals, taking breaks every 45-60 min, working on the hardest tasks first, reviewing/studying every day, not cramming before tests, etc.). So I ended up withdrawing from my BIOL & CHEM classes because I was so overwhelmed. I took a course on study skills & text book mastry and when I took the classes after that, I did great. They still weren't "easy" and I had to study harder than most of my classmates, but I did very well in them and can recall much of the information today. Just remember to read your chapters before you go to class, get into a good sleep schedule, study a little every day instead of trying to cram before tests, and you'll do great! And if you need any help, ask the professor or find a tutor. Most colleges have a tutoring & testing center of some kind where you can get free tutoring from volunteers.

Good luck!

Answer 7

There are a lot of chemistry preparation courses that go along with chemistry series classes at your college/university. Basic chemistry shouldn't be too hard. It's when you take hard-core chemistry for pre-med medical school program that its more involved. I'm guessing it must be more theory since it is wider range chemistry covering all topics but in less detail. I have failed once, yes, but tried again. Glad I did. Don't take any prep classes for nursing chem though. Chemistry is purely math I believe and requires good understanding.

Go for it, and good luck!