Category Archives: Study habits & Distractions

Keep a study journal

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

Posted in Study habits & Distractions | Comments Off on Keep a study journal

Get ready for Quiz #1 (& Advice from 2013)

As you prepare for our quiz later this week, keep two things in mind: There are lots of resources to help you: sample quiz (with answers) from 2013, practice problems online and in your book, online supplements that I have … finish reading Get ready for Quiz #1 (& Advice from 2013)

Posted in Exams, Study habits & Distractions | Comments Off on Get ready for Quiz #1 (& Advice from 2013)

Sleep is when connections are made

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

Posted in Study habits & Distractions | Comments Off on Sleep is when connections are made

Top 6 Reflections. Vote for your favorites

Dec 31, 2013 Update. 20 students sent me their votes for the top Improvement and top Insight reflections. Here are the results for the top Improvement: familiarize ourselves with the material before class – 5 votes don’t skip the more … finish reading Top 6 Reflections. Vote for your favorites

Posted in Contests & Challenges, Study habits & Distractions | Comments Off on Top 6 Reflections. Vote for your favorites

“Like ketchup on sushi”

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”

Posted in Study habits & Distractions | Comments Off on “Like ketchup on sushi”

To remember, sleep

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

Posted in Study habits & Distractions | Comments Off on To remember, sleep

All that stuff crawling around in my head: it's like musical chairs

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

Posted in Study habits & Distractions | Comments Off on All that stuff crawling around in my head: it's like musical chairs

Vaux Swift Watch 2012

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

Posted in Study habits & Distractions | Comments Off on Vaux Swift Watch 2012

Multitasking – Bad for the Brain?

The question is not whether we multitask (we all do), but how much do we do and what effect does it have on us? Is switching quickly from email to homework problem to text message to Facebook to YouTube to… Continue reading

Posted in Study habits & Distractions | Tagged , | Comments Off on Multitasking – Bad for the Brain?

It looked like a good idea …

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

Posted in Study habits & Distractions | Comments Off on It looked like a good idea …