Category Archives: Study habits & Distractions

The most frequently made comment by Chem 201 students is that they learn to study organic chemistry as the semester rolls along. Please read that again. They don’t say, ‘they learn o chem’ because that’s a given. What they say … finish reading Keep a study journal

For years I have issued this advice to Chem 201 students before each exam, “Don’t stay up too late studying,” I say. “It doesn’t help. You need to get good sleep in order to make good long-term memories.” I have … finish reading Sleep is when connections are made

Reed chemistry alum and medical school student, Hassan Ghani ’08, just sent me this story from yesterday’s NY Times, “How to get an A- in Organic Chemistry” by Barbara Moran. Like so many others, Ms. Moran has decided a mid-life … finish reading “Like ketchup on sushi”

After a long afternoon or night of studying organic chemistry do you sometimes wake up the next day with little or no recall of what reagent does what? If that happens a lot, it may be that your sleep pattern … finish reading To remember, sleep

I recently wrote about the importance of carrying information forward. And I'm sure that you understand by now that the information we cover needs to be applied and not just regurgitated. But there's so much to learn. Is it… Continue reading →

This post has nothing to do with o chem, but I think watching 5000+ small Vaux swifts swarm and then roost in the Chapman School chimney is one of the best FREE displays of urban wildlife you will ever… Continue reading →

I'm fascinated by how our brains and minds work. We like to think of them as loyal computers, reliably eating up the information we provide, and then issuing the ideas and directions we need to guide our lives. Long before… Continue reading →