I am a second year engineering students and I think I am going to fail gen chem 1 again… this is very discouraging and I am truly sad. I will not lie, I do not focus 100% on this course, but I truly dedicate a lot of time and allocate at least a week of sole studying before each midterm. I got a 33/99 on my first midterm and 46/105 on my second. My final is on the 12/12 and I am not sure what to do study it pass the class. (For reference my first midterm score is roughly compared to as a D+ grade and my second midterm score is roughly compared to as a C)
I currently meet up with a tutor once a week and dedicate a minimum of 6 hours a week for the class outside of lecture to do hw and study. What are some tips so I can at least pass with a C- in the class? I thought I could do way better this quarter as I have been getting a way better grasp on the concepts as last year, but I am only doing slightly better
Engineering is tough. Really tough. My son’s favorite quote was “we all struggle together “. Saying that the real question is what have you done to improve? Most colleges have study groups, peer to peer tutors, professor office hour’s, math /science labs for help.
I would go directly to your professor since no one here has a clue of why you’re not understanding the material. Yes, in engineering sometimes there are classes you just have to get through. I get that. Some classes are also known “weed out classes”
See if in this short time frame the professor can point out the important material to focus on. I assume you need this class to move on in your sequence for engineering also?
How are you doing overall in your other classes?
If doing well than I would key on this class for the final coming up.
Also for many schools a grade of a “C” is passing where “C-” is not passing in your major.
Get copies of past finals and work with your tutor to make sure you understand the concepts in them and could answer those questions – completely and well. Make sure you can also answer all the questions on the exams you have taken. While tests are assessments, they can also be valuable learning tools.
It sounds like you need more than just the tutor. A study group? Are there review sessions? Have you gone to office hours?
There is only 2 weeks, and you probably have other things to study for. But for this 2 weeks, you need to be uber-disciplined and use all your time very effectively.
I would echo the other advice on here so far. One thing that I note with the students who do particularly poorly in chemistry at my institution is that they don’t attend class regularly, or if they do, they are not engaged with the material when they are in class. They also don’t do the homework or they don’t put the hard work into the homework assignments that they need to. Ask yourself the hard questions. Short cuts on homework (AI, relying on your tutor) will not lead to success on the exams. You have to do the hard work ahead of time. The other key is that if you do have practice exams, make sure to time yourself and take the exam under exam conditions (time it and do not use your notes- at least initially). Take those practice exams early enough so that you know where you are honestly with the material, and you have plenty of time to fix the problems and go back to sections you still don’t understand.
OP- hugs. I think you are getting good advice (certainly talking to your professor is absolutely and positively the right next step— do it tomorrow!).
But I want to reassure you that there are millions of happy and productive adults who never took or passed chemistry. And they have perfectly fine lives and careers. So if part of what’s keeping you from totally engaging in Chem 1 right now is you catastrophizing “If I don’t pass chemistry I won’t be able to major in engineering. If I don’t major in engineering I’ll never find another major I like. If I don’t find another major I like I’ll have to drop out of college and I’ll never get a job”.
Stop the cycle. Focus on NOW. Once the semester is over you can figure out if engineering and you are meant to be; and if not, there are dozens of majors you might like even more that won’t require a lick of chemistry!!!
One wild idea if you are not able to pass chemistry this time.
In university I was a math major. I attended a university that required that I take at least one chemistry course. However, thermodynamics counted as a chemistry course, and was one option that I was allowed to take instead of chemistry. Thermodynamics is also quite a bit more mathematical and logical and less memory intensive compared to other chemistry courses. I took it, liked it, and even pulled off an A. You might want to see whether this would count to fulfill your chemistry requirement. Being more mathematical and logical sounds like it might help an engineering student just as much as it once helped a math student.
And thermodynamics might be more relevant to engineering compared to chemistry.
You had an improving trend from the first midterm to the second, so hopefully you can sustain that. Echoing what others have asked - have you gone to office hours? Not only might the prof be able to give you some helpful guidance, but also, if your grade is borderline, the perceived effort could make a difference to which way it tips. You know you’ve been working hard, but does the prof know it?
Also as others have asked, is this the only class you’ve struggled in? Are you otherwise feeling good about engineering, and this is the one stumbling block, or is this just the tip of a struggle iceberg?
Hang in there; it sounds as if passing is still a possibility; the question is the extent to which strong mastery of this material will (or won’t) be needed for subsequent required classes. Is gen chem 2 required too?
sounds like you have a chance to pull this off. Go to all the office hours, optional review, TA sessions and see if your school has free tutors (both my kids schools do). Wyzant has solid tutors at not outlandish prices IME too if you can swing it, too. practice problems as much as you can find.
Also, chem is indeed required for many engineering majors… but not all. My kid doesn’t have to take chem and is an abet-accredited engineering path, but all the other engineering majors at their school do require Chem 1…
Some only want you to have a STEM-related background or will accept you contingent on taking a couple of classes before enrolling. Chem 1 may be easier on its own, at community college, for instance.
Most things are not now or never. MANY paths to the same place it turns out.
Hello everyone thank you for all the tips! Yes chem is a major requirement and it is a pre req for gen chem 2 and organic chemistry (there are no alternative forms these courses unless you do honors level).
I emailed my professor and he gave me study advice. He said there is a chance I could still pass once the curve is implemented, but to not to depend on it and work hard for my final exam.
I have attended review sessions and office hours, but not consistently as I have other heavy classes I go to office hours to as well. Currently I am struggling in my other classes (classical physics and calc 4). It feels like an overwhelming slope, but if I manage to pass my classes with a C- and above (the minimum is C- to go to the next course), I will be able to take only 14 units compared to the 18 units I am currently taking.
