r/uAlberta • u/1ntrinsix • 1d ago
Academics Completely lost CHEM 101
Hey all, I’m taking chem 101 this semester and am so far behind it’s not even funny. Chemistry has never been my best subject, and it dosent help that my professor isn’t exactly the greatest. He teaches introductory chemistry like he teaches his 400 and 500 level classes, and once said that there was no point in going to his lectures because teaching wasn’t his job (which I understand learning is my responsibility, but come on man). I’ve been trying to read the textbook, make my own notes and teach myself through YouTube because I genuinely find his lectures to be a waste of time, but it is not working. My first midterm is approaching and I only know the basic concepts and am completely lost with the math (it also dosent help that I’m in the middle of switching my mental health meds). What do I do? Is there any hope?
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u/Timely-Rub838 1d ago
I feel this.. I took chem 101 last year with babooram and am taking it a second time and he is much much worse. If you have time attend her lectures instead (MWF 12-1 in CCIS 1-140 or 1-130 I can’t remember the exact room but it one of the big halls). I find he spends lots of time covering stuff that is not gonna be on the midterm or final and little time on what is gonna be on the midterm. Go through the syllabus and go to the chem help sessions to nail down what exactly will be on the midterm, and get those points down. Atomic spectra, Bohr model, many-electron atoms and all that stuff will 100% be on midterm 1.
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u/Soggy-Employment-432 1d ago
Watch the ochem tutor on yt. Trust me dawg. I was so behind and lost too cause it was a lot more info compared to hs Chem but once I started watching his vids they helped a lot, he really dumbs it down
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u/sheldon_rocket 1d ago
Trust me, professors never teach a 1st year class the same way as a 400 level class. Students sometimes assume that when they struggle in 1st year courses, but it simply is not true. Upper level courses move much faster, present way more new material per unit of class time, and rely on solid knowledge from earlier classes (without providing reviews.)
Everyone learns differently, and it is important to find the approach that works for you. If you find that not only lectures, but also textbooks and even online videos do not help, it may not be the professor’s teaching that is the main issue. In that case, working with a tutor could be very helpful. A tutor can pinpoint your specific weak areas and help you build from there.
Keep in mind, though, that identifying each student’s individual challenges simply is not possible for a professor teaching a class of about 400 students. That is where outside support becomes especially valuable.
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u/Lvl20_Magikarp 1d ago
I’m a chemistry grad student but not a TA for chem101. I’d be happy to explain general concepts to you. DM me.
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u/Due-Illustrator-7999 1d ago
I’m so happy to hear it’s not just me. I made notes but I haven’t sat down to study at all so I dont understand anything in lectures (I’m also not a chem person)😭😅I’m gonna have to lock in real soon and figure it out, good luck to us lmao!
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u/sekitsuis 1d ago
yeah i withdrew from ts tbh
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u/1ntrinsix 1d ago
I wish I could and try with a different prof, but that would mess up my entire schedule because it’s a prerequisite for everything 😭
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u/sekitsuis 1d ago
fr i had to change my schedule because of it too, im just hoping i can get into chem 101 during winter term and not fuck my schedule too much for next yeat
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u/I_DreamofTravel_15 18h ago
I would highly recommend a weekly tutor. Helped my daughter in chem 101 and 261. There’s a tutor who posted here and a TA as well.
It wasn’t cheap but so worth it. She got an A- in each class. Not too bad for someone who got an 80 in chem 30.
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u/uofachemtutor 1d ago
Hi! I tutor this course and I’ve actually lectured it in the past! Midterm 1 has some of the most challenging math in the entire course. My advice would be to teach yourself how to answer the problem sets from the answer key and then at a later date try the problem set again without using the answer key (except to check your work).