Think Smarter, Not Harder: How To Boost Your Understanding in Chemistry

By Emma Moffitt

As we are transitioning into finals season, and the second semester of Chemistry, it’s clear that the first part of the year has had its challenges. Many students have struggled with concepts like balancing chemical equations and retaining all the information that’s gone through every class period. However, with a little effort and the right strategies, you can set yourself up for success in the second half of the school year. Mr. Swafford has structured the class in a way that supports your learning with plenty of opportunities to reinforce material and improve your understanding. If you want to boost your performance and understanding before we head into the more challenging topics ahead, here’s some advice on approaching the second semester.

 Engage in class, notes, and discussions are key. Mr Swafford emphasizes repetition as a powerful tool for understanding. “I believe the key to succeeding in any class is to have multiple, repeated interactions with the same material to understand and memorize it.” Take notes. Mr. Swafford expects students to take thorough notes during class. Writing down key concepts, examples, and equations during his lessons is the first step in interacting with the material. This ensures that you have a written record to refer to when studying later. Participate in class discussions. Engaging in discussions not only helps reinforce your understanding but also provides you with a deeper insight into the material. When Mr. Swafford opens up the floor for questions or group discussions, take the opportunity to clarify any confusion and further solidify your knowledge. Mr. Swafford also incorporates daily Review Kahoot quizzes as a fun and interactive way to reinforce key concepts. These quizzes give you a third repetition of the material, allowing you to test your knowledge and refresh your memory. By taking these quizzes seriously, you can dramatically improve your retention of the content. According to 10th grader, Fenanda Lopez, “The Kahoot quizzes are a game-changer for me. They help me retain information better because I get to review it differently. Plus, I feel more confident about quizzes and tests since many of the questions are similar. ”

If you're still struggling to fully grasp certain Chemistry concepts, don't hesitate to seek additional support. Mr. Swafford offers tutoring sessions during his 4th period and after school by appointment. Sometimes, class time isn't enough to fully absorb a topic so if you find yourself confused or behind, attending these tutoring sessions can be a game-changer. Whether you're struggling with a specific concept or need a bit more practice to catch up, these sessions offer an opportunity to get direct, one-on-one guidance from Mr. Swafford.

If you've missed an assignment, don't worry—anything is better than a zero. You have up to one week to turn in late work for up to 70% credit. After that, you can still submit it for 50% credit, but it's better to avoid delays. Keep in mind that all first-semester assignments must be submitted by the end of the semester, as no late work will be accepted after that. So, if you're behind, take advantage of the policy—getting work turned in, even late, is always better than leaving it undone.