Study Skills
Studying for Success at A’ Level Chemistry
You are about to spend up to two years studying A-level chemistry - so please spend a few minutes reading these notes before you begin. This is important and could save you time and effort later.
How should I study?
You may never have asked yourself this question. Your GCSE teacher may have guided you so carefully that you have simply had to follow instructions - to copy notes from the whiteboard, perhaps, and then to learn them and copy them out again for a test! This can be quite a good way of learning facts, but it doesn't really help you to solve problems. It protects you from thinking and taking decisions - the teacher has done that for you.
As you move towards more advanced studies (A’ Levels), however, you must take more responsibility for your own learning - the ability to find things out for yourself is really one of the most valuable skills you can develop and despite the wealth of online resources, one of the most useful aids are still books.
How to use a Textbook
Books differ in style and content and you are unlikely to find all you need for A-level chemistry in a single volume. Don't be put off if you still don't understand the topic you looked up after reading about it in one book – try another one. If you are still in difficulties, then you should go to your teacher, but you'll be surprised how quickly you realise the strengths and weaknesses of the books available to you.
"How should I read a book? Surely that's obvious - start at the beginning and keep going!" Yes, of course, if you are reading a novel. But a textbook is different. It is a mine of information but it tells you more than you need to know to solve a particular problem.
Click to find out how to get the most from a textbook.
Time Management
Planning and organising your time is the key to success at A' Level. Balancing time set aside for study against time for relaxation, part time work and socialising is essential. You should be set 3-4 hours of homework per week and you can also expect to spend a similar amount of time reviewing classwork and making notes from your textbook.
During your studies you will encounter new terminology and scientific principles which you will have to learn quickly as they will be used during the theory lessons in class. After each lesson you should read the relevant pages in your textbook and complete any tasks set.
Click to find out how to plan your time effectively.
Note Taking
Your notes are for your benefit and, so long as they are accurate and understandable by you, then they will serve their purpose. Two general points are worth making.
1. The better you have understood the material; the briefer will be your notes. They will then act as 'triggers' for your memory.
2. You should never copy out sections of text* (except, perhaps, definitions and laws). Copied-out notes, neatly underlined, look reassuring but may simply be undigested material that you have not really thought about.
The best teachers understand this!
Click to find out how to make fantastic notes quickly and easily.