STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS:

If you are serious about being successful in this course,  Download I highly recommend you read and adopt the study tips discussed in this link

. This advice could very well apply to any course or subject you choose to learn.

Below, I've outlined some of my own thoughts on learning, as well as highlighted valuable resources we have available at Cabrillo.

  • INDEPENDENT STUDY: To thoroughly learn the concepts of chemistry (or any subject for that matter), you must be an actively engaged and dedicated learner. This means you must do more than simply listen to an instructor in lecture, review lecture slides, and watch videos. To improve your independent study skills, I would encourage the following practices:
    • This is the number one recommendation from students who have already taken this course: Try to arrange your schedule so you can read the assigned textbook sections BEFORE coming to lecture. This way you have already been exposed to the terminology and concepts before the instructor tries to explain the concepts in lecture. Studying chemistry can be like learning a new language, and you need practice reading it on your own.
    • After reading a page or paragraph in the textbook, try to explain the concept IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Science textbooks are not like fictional literature. It may sometimes be necessary to re-read, and re-re-read a section to understand the material. When you can't understand a complex sentence break it down into smaller pieces and try to understand each of the components. Ask questions about how something could be proved or tested. Reading in this way can be slow and frustrating, but it will help lead you to a deeper understanding than if you just skimmed the material. 
    • After lecture, spend the time going over practice problems, suggested questions from the textbook and finally attempt the weekly Challenge Problems. Try to work through questions without reference to the lecture slides, readings, or an answer key. Only when you are stumped should you consult external materials. Try to consider other ways the question could be phrased, presented or solved. One problem often has many different solutions, and deep learning requires the skill to see questions from many different perspectives; this will also be great preparation for exams, where the concepts are the same, but the context and wording might change. Remember, you are trying to train yourself to solve problems independently. That being said, group work can be a powerful component to learning and retaining new concepts.

  • GROUP STUDY: You will often be asked to make study groups during lecture and lab time.  I recommend forming study groups to work outside of class time as well. Success in science and math is increased by active study and discussion with peers. Take group discussions as an opportunity to listen to how other people understand and explain concepts; this can lend new perspective. At the same time, try to offer your own explanations for difficult concepts. Trying to teach material to others can solidify your understanding or can help you pinpoint areas that you still don't entirely grasp.

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CAMPUS RESOURCES:

MESA is a nationally recognized program that has been assisting students in preparing for careers in math-based fields for over 40 years at certain high schools, universities, and community colleges in California. Cabrillo's MESA Program has its home in the MESA Study Center, now located in the new STEM Center on the top floor of the 800 Building. There the following services are provided to ALL Cabrillo students:

  • Academic Excellence Workshops where participating students meet twice a week to sharpen skills and improve understanding for selected math, physics, or engineering courses;
  • A study center equipped with computers, science-related software, and a small reference library of science and math books;
  • Drop-in and group tutoring in math and sciences provided by math and science professionals and by students, and
  • The opportunity to be a member of a supportive community of students all working toward transfer in a science, engineering or math major.

To those students who qualify for MESA membership, there are many more services and opportunities that are offered to ensure their successful transfer in science, engineering and math majors;

  • Academic counseling by a designated MESA counselor to establish and update education plans,
  • Scholarships, internships, leadership retreats, summer research programs;
  • Field trips to industry sites, science museums, and prospective transfer universities;
  • Long-term calculator, computer, and locker checkouts;
  • Sponsored student travel to professional conferences and
  • Free printing and copying in the Center.

To qualify for MESA membership, students must be working toward transfer in a math, engineering or science major; they must be eligible for financial aid and they must have some educational obstacle, such as being the first in their families to attend college. To find out more, come by the MESA Study Center in the STEM Center in the 800 Building, call (831) 479-6503, or use our website shortcut: www.cabrillomesa.org Links to an external site..

  • THE MATHEMATICS LEARNING CENTER Links to an external site.: The Math Learning Center (MLC) is a free drop-in math tutoring service for Cabrillo College math students and students taking courses having math prerequisites. The MLC was created to help students develop an ability to tackle math problems on their own. By logging into the MLC database, students may request and receive help within minutes. Some of the ways in which students receive help are:
    • clarifying and applying basic math concepts
    • test taking and study skills
    • understanding applications
    • problem solving skills
    • interpreting solutions
    • organizing information
    • analyzing errors
    • connecting new knowledge to existing knowledge
    • using resources (books, notes, calculators, Internet, computers and mobile devices)
    • building confidence

When requesting help, individual tutors go to where students are studying. There is no line to wait in and students are helped in the order in which they request help. To reduce waiting time, each student is often helped with one or two problems before the tutor moves on to the next student. This gives students an opportunity to apply what they just learned to similar or new problems on their own; however, there is no limit to the number of times students may request help. Students may see how busy the MLC is by visiting the webpage: www.mlc.polyhedraldesign.com Links to an external site..

In addition to tutoring, students may use their Cabrillo Library Card to check out calculators, laptops*, textbooks, textbook videos, various learning software packages and a biofeedback system for managing math anxiety. These materials are available for use in the MLC. Also provided are exam review sessions and study sessions when coordinated with the instructor. To use the MLC during the semester, please visit the Center in room 1074 and register for services. For additional information about the MLC, call (831) 477-5696 or visit the website at www.cabrillo.edu/services/mlc Links to an external site..

  • FOR DSPS ACCOMMODATIONS: As required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), accommodations are provided to insure equal opportunity for students with verified disabilities. Students needing accommodations should contact the instructor as soon as possible with documentation from the Learning Skills or DSPS offices. Students with extended time will complete their exams at a location chosen by DSPS. Arrangements for this should be made with the instructor and DSPS at least five days prior to each exam, with the appointment scheduled to begin at the same time as the rest of the class. For more information, please contact Disabled Student Services Links to an external site., Room 810, phone: (831) 479-6379, or the Learning Skills Program Links to an external site., Room 1073, phone: (831) 479-6220.