Here’s Why Chemistry isn’t as boring as you think!

Since, I am not particularly a chemistry graduate, it is a generic approach that you may follow!

For many of us, Chemistry is one hell of a nut to crack. At this point we forget that Chemistry, just like any other subject, it has a language of its own. Well I won’t go too philosophical. I used to find chemistry very difficult a couple of years back, I used to literally hate the subject.… But then I thought, why is it that I like Maths (maybe some other subject for you)  so much, but I just don’t like Chemistry…

Thats when I realized- No subject is boring in itself, its just a matter of perception and presentation of that subject. If it is explained in a good way, you will love that subject and if it is explained in a bad way, you will hate that subject.  

Try a new perception. Chemistry is the subject which provides you with many fundamental reasons for the existence of this universe. Here, you don’t see ‘what happens next’, rather you find ‘why did this happen’. Well what do your think astronauts are looking for on Mars after discovering water availability……Think!

During the holidays, and free time. I tried revisiting the topics with a new perception (eliminating the memories of bad lectures of course…)… and I enjoyed it!

Here’s what you can do to make Chemistry a bit fun:

First things first! Get your basics and fundamentals right. (You must know Co is Cobalt not Copper!) You must know valencies, basic nomenclature, formulas and basic reactivities in order to move deeper into the subject. This elementary knowledge can be your lifeline to get through the Complex world at all stages of chemistry.

70% people find chemistry lectures boring because they simply can’t understand a thing! So go through the basics, brush them a little and you’re done with Stage 1.

Secondly, write, write and write. If you find the Chemistry teacher in front of you a nosy annoying character frightening you to the highest ….. pin it down! Write all what she says, take down as much as you can. Now you managed to subside your frustration and you have an excellent set of notes to study from.

Tip: Be creative! Take time to make smart notes afterwards. Use color codes, neat diagrams, and most importantly flow charts. You will see the rapid results while revising.

50% people are annoyed by Chemistry, just because they can’t recollect anything they studied in class. Chemistry is volatile! Better trap it while you can!

Thirdly, Try relating examples. I’ll take an example of ‘Corrosion’. Instead of studying about its theory and all the 250 pages of notes I had.. (woof!) . I took up an example. (For instance the Bridge Collapsing. ) It helped me in understanding the rate of corrosion, its types, effects, preventive measures, etc. And you see, 100/250 pages done without even looking at them more than once.

Many students simply try the old rote memorization method. Not only do they bore themselves, but they also frighten the others by their boredom!

Lastly, lets come to Organic Chemistry and Inorganic part. (I personally find this hard). Your only hope is taking notes, practicing and clearing your doubts regularly.

Keeping doubts stacked is something to avoid. —

Remember, the key to Organic and Inorganic is simply relating questions to labs and reactions, and getting all your doubts cleared as early as possible.

TIP:  Most of us have pictorial memory. Try searching the web for some images for reactions you need to memorize. Try drawing the structures all the other way round. You will find your way out without much efforts. Moreover, I hope searching for some extraordinary pics wouldn’t be boring!

I followed this patter to score in this: 

Take notes — Revise– Practice — Revise Reactions — Clear Doubts — Revisit the Topic (Skim through notes)

Yes, chemistry is done majorly through rote method. But why to be prejudiced…. Try these methods yourself! They worked for me, they’ll work for you too.

After all, Chemistry isn’t as boring as it seems!

Hope This Helps!