Why Learn Chemistry
Chemistry is one of the oldest sciences that humans have been studying. Early records dating to more than 3000 years ago suggest that our ancestors already had a grasp of some of the chemical reactions that rule our world. From obtaining metal from ores to extracting perfumes from plants, transforming fat into soap or blowing glass, chemistry is the science that explains it all.
Every year in Singapore, around 10,000 to 11,000 students take the GCE A-level chemistry exams, with 93.9% scoring at least three H2 passes. What most of the students learning chemistry have in common is a love of science and a thirst to understand the world surrounding us.
However, chemistry is not the easiest of subjects, and you might at some point need help on how to study for chemistry. Whether you need help understanding the periodic table, chemical reactions, acids bases, chemical equations, chemical properties, atomic structure, or the stoichiometry of molecules, you might want to learn chemistry, take chemistry notes, and learn chemistry study tips from a qualified professional who guides you and teaches you the ins and outs of the subject.
"I tried out various experiments described in treatises on physics and chemistry, and the results were sometimes unexpected. At times, I would be encouraged by a little unhoped-for success; at others, I would be in the deepest despair because of accidents and failures resulting from my inexperience."
- Marie Curie, Polish and naturalised-French physicist and chemist.
10 Great Reasons To Take Chemistry Courses
Learning chemistry has many benefits. It develops your problem-solving skills and opens up several interesting career opportunities. Here's why you should take chemistry lessons:
Here's why you should take chemistry lessons:
- It helps you understand the world that surrounds you: from the structure of molecules to oxidation-reduction of atoms and compounds; chemistry is the key.
- It helps you in your everyday life, from reading product labels to knowing what to do with cleaning products.
- It will make you a better cook, as all food is made of chemical compounds and cooking is merely changing chemical bonds, using the properties of matter and playing around with combustion, oxidation, reduction, solubility and chemical reaction, to make ingredients as tasty as possible.
- Chemistry offers a lot of job opportunities, from nuclear chemistry to biological chemistry or analytical chemistry.
- It is the link between maths and physics, and biology.
- It is a very practical and hands-on science, and you will often have to perform titrations, chromatography, and qualitative chemical analysis.
- It will help you understand the medication you take.
"Biochemistry is the science of life. All our life processes - walking, talking, moving, feeding - are essentially chemical reactions. So biochemistry is actually the chemistry of life, and it's supremely interesting."
- Aaron Ciechanover, Israeli biologist, who won the Nobel prize in Chemistry for characterising the method that cells use to degrade and recycle proteins
What Kind Of Job Can You Do With A Chemistry Degree?
Not sure that chemistry is the right choice for you? You are not alone. Here are the possible career options that a chemistry degree makes possible.
- From studying general chemistry and understanding the atomic structure to being able to explain the rules of thermodynamics and grasp acid-base compositions, a degree in chemistry equips you with the knowledge to understand the world.
- Chemists are in high demand everywhere in the world. From agrochemical and petrochemical industries to pharmaceutical companies, chemistry is one of the most innovative science fields you can work in.
- But the opportunities don’t stop there. With global concern regarding fossil fuel usage and its environmental impact, many chemists are working hard to develop alternative fuel sources. The same goes for plastic products derived from the petrochemical industry. More and more money is being poured into research for more biodegradable and eco-friendly packaging.
- Environmental consulting is another emerging field with chemistry being the main qualification. Chemists are needed in medicine, nanotechnology and forensic science too, right from imaging contributing to curing cancers or solving a crime.
You get the gist of it; chemistry graduates have a broad scope to use their knowledge once out of university. Learn the kind of jobs you can get with a chemistry degree.
"Why, for example, should a group of simple, stable compounds of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen struggle for billions of years to organise themselves into a professor of chemistry? What's the motive?"
Robert M. Pirsig, American writer and philosopher.
How To Choose The Right Chemistry Tutor?
Whether you are lost in a hexagonal haze of organic chemistry, struggling with Boyle's law, left distraught by biochemistry, or frustrated by kinetic equations during your attempt to learn chemistry, you should get help as soon as possible in order not to fall behind the rest of the class.
Choosing a tutor can be a daunting experience. With so many supposedly qualified private teachers online, it can be hard to find a tutor who will actually guide you on how to study chemistry properly. These few pointers should help you make an informed decision and get tutors who will teach you how to study chemistry thoroughly.
- Know your goals: it is crucial to identify the level of help that you need--do you just need help on homework, or have you fallen behind dramatically?
- Know all the options available to you: before hiring a tutor, you should talk to them and make them aware of your difficulties.
- Trial lesson: See if your tutor offers trial lessons. This will help you decide whether the tutor’s teaching style suits your requirements or not.
- Stay within your budget: Tutoring is a medium to long-term commitment, so comparing tutor rates is essential.
It is also important to reassess your needs from time to time—you may have improved in one area while falling behind in another, or caught up with the class to the point where the methods learned with your A-level chemistry tutor are now enough to help you cope on your own.
Don't forget to check out the tutor's pricing before making your final decision.
As American physician and molecular biologist, Peter Agre observed, the boundaries separating chemistry, physics, and medicine have blurred in the 21st century. And as happened during the Renaissance, scientists are following their curiosities, even to the extent of experimenting beyond the formal limits of their training.
Even though you might find a good tutor who will teach you how to study chemistry, learning chemistry can be overwhelming if you don’t have a clear roadmap. Having the right framework to learn chemistry will save you time and help you get good grades. This comprises using the right chemistry notes and following appropriate chemistry study tips to make an impactful performance.
How to Study for Chemistry: Chemistry Notes and Chemistry Study Tips for Success
Here’s how to study for chemistry effectively using the right chemistry study tips:
- Create Your Chemistry Notes
Create your own chemistry notes instead of copying from a friend. When studying, take structured notes. You can organise the information by colour-coding it and using bullet points and headings to enhance your retention skills.
When you create your own chemistry notes, you are actually actively reading, analysing and distilling the information you have read.
- Use Visual Learning Tools
Chemistry requires a lot of memorisation. Use visual learning tools like flashcards and flowcharts to memorise topics and recall information easily. Visual tools simplify the provided information and help you connect concepts.
- Understand, Don’t Memorise
However, don’t just memorise concepts without understanding. While rote memorisation might help in the short term, it won’t help you in the long term. Focus on understanding concepts like atomic structure, organic chemistry, particle model, and stoichiometry before trying to memorise them.
- Practice With Past Papers
Chemistry is an application-based subject. Practising with past papers is one of the best ways to prepare for your chemistry exams. Practicing:
- Strengthens your problem-solving skills
- Helps you get used to the question pattern
- Enables you to simulate real exam conditions
- Identify weak areas
- Study Regularly but take Breaks
Short daily sessions are more effective than long weekly cramming. When you study for long durations without taking due breaks, your mind will be able to retain less. In contrast, spaced retention is better as it leads to longer-lasting recall, making you less likely to forget things.
Remember, the best way to learn chemistry is to combine chemistry notes with the above-mentioned chemistry study tips to succeed in the exam.
How To Learn Chemistry From a Superprof Tutor?
Superprof has all your tutoring needs covered. Learn from a good chemistry tuition teacher in Singapore.
On our online platform, you will be able to choose your level of study and your location to narrow the list down to the tutors suiting your profile. With more than 12,000 registered tutors, we are sure that you will find a tutor near you or a teacher who will help you by webcam.
One-on-one tutoring might be more expensive, but arguably, it should also be the most efficient form of education, as the teacher will be entirely focused on you during your lesson.
Online chemistry tuition is also an excellent option. It can take two different forms. Either you join an education platform, or you have a private lesson through Skype.
When you join an online tuition website like Superprof, you will have access to extensive and comprehensive chemistry resources, including lessons, flashcards, exercises and practice tests. Most of this platform also has 24/7 teachers and tutors available to answer questions and help you with anything you may not understand.
If you choose to have a remote lesson, your tutors will often offer you a discounted rate as you saved them the time and money it would take to commute. Just as in a regular one-on-one lesson, you will practice with chemistry exercises, and your tutor will answer all the questions you might have.
Join the conversation: what does the future look like for Chemistry graduates?
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