Most students develop a love-hate relationship with chemistry. There is no middle ground. An analysis of nine studies of 11th and 12th grade students indicates some students had an interest in the subject, while others felt complete dislike. Either way, one can’t avoid learning chemistry in school. But, there are ways to make it easier. These ten study tips are perfect  want to ace your chemistry exams. Let’s dive in.

1. Focus On Conceptual Clarity, Not Marks

Don’t enter class aiming to just score well. Focus on understanding the fundamentals of chemistry. If you simply try to memorise information, you won’t have a solid foundation, making it harder as you advance to higher levels. 

2. Read Before Class

Before your lecture begins, take five minutes to revise what you’ve learnt about the topic so far. If your teacher is covering a new concept, conduct some background research on it. This habit will improve your understanding and interest during class.

3. Attend Every Class

An entire topic can’t be taught in a single lecture. Missing one class may not seem like a big deal, but it will actually result in significant learning gaps. Be regular and pay attention.

4. Organise Your Notes

Juggling between school notes, tuition notes and self-study material can lead to a lot of disorganised clutter. Colour code and label your notes to easily identify what you’re looking for. You can also use one notebook to jot down all your learnings after each chapter. This will come in handy during exam revision.

5. Speak Up in Class

Ask questions, counter your teacher’s analysis and voice your doubts. This will make your concepts clearer. Don’t hesitate to say you did not understand the topic being taught. Worrying about what your classmates will think will make your learning journey difficult.

6. Make the Most of Lab Time

Paying attention during chemistry lectures is important, but not enough. When it comes to understanding chemistry, there is no substitute for hands-on experience. Take every opportunity to go to the chemistry lab and experiment.

7. Use Sticky Notes

Chemistry is full of scientific symbols, formulas and jargon that need to be interpreted correctly. Note down crucial points, methods and periodic table elements on sticky notes and paste it in your room where it is most visible. Keep glancing through it every now and then to retain information.

8. Take Practice Tests

Taking scheduled self-tests will keep you on track with your course. Divide the syllabus into small portions and self-assess your knowledge—you can find mock tests in textbooks and on different Websites. These tests will help you revise information and improve your understanding. Take a self-test once a week, at least.

9. Form Study Groups

Studying with peers can help you learn faster, fill learning gaps and see the subject from a fresh perspective. Since study groups meet regularly, it helps prevent procrastination in study schedules, too.

10. Do Your Homework

Your teacher will usually give you assignments to work on at home. Be consistent in completing them. When you come across areas you struggle with, write them down and address them in class the next day. This will help you gain clarity quicker and you will feel less frustrated. 

Learning chemistry can be tough for some students. But, if you are mindful of your study schedule and start preparation early, things will improve significantly. Don’t forget to choose thorough understanding of concepts over rote learning. It will make all the difference in the long-run!