How I Went from "E" to "A" for A Level Chemistry (8 tips no one told me)
TLDRIn this educational video, the presenter shares personal experiences and effective study strategies that transformed their H2 Chemistry grades from an E to an A during their A-level exams. They discuss the importance of solidifying basics, active recall, consistent practice, and immediate correction of mistakes. The video also emphasizes the value of self-analysis, tracking progress, and creating a feedback loop to improve study methods. The presenter's journey serves as an inspiration for struggling students, offering hope and practical advice for academic success.
Takeaways
- 📚 The speaker struggled with H2 Chemistry in junior college and scored an E, but eventually improved to achieve A-level grades.
- 📒 They stopped making their own notes as it was ineffective and started using two specific books for better organization and understanding.
- 💡 The speaker emphasizes the importance of having a solid foundation by revisiting minor details and using 'checkpoint learning' to build long-term memory.
- 🗣️ Active recall through self-testing verbally, writing, or with friends was a strategy to improve memorization of definitions and processes.
- 📈 Consistent practice with exam questions, including timed practices, was crucial for building momentum and familiarity with exam conditions.
- ⏱️ The speaker set a goal of doing three questions per day from a revision package to ensure consistent progress towards mastering the subject.
- 🤔 After completing practice papers, self-marking and immediate corrections were essential for identifying and rectifying knowledge gaps.
- 📊 Critical analysis of one's own papers helps in understanding weaknesses and areas for improvement, which can lead to a boost in exam performance.
- 📈 Tracking progress by recording scores after each practice session provides insights into the effectiveness of study methods and areas needing adjustment.
- 🔄 The speaker created a feedback loop of studying smartly, practicing actively, correcting immediately, analyzing papers, and tracking grades to improve consistently.
- 🚀 The journey from an E to an A in H2 Chemistry was arduous but achievable through the application of these strategies and maintaining an unstoppable momentum.
Q & A
What was the speaker's initial struggle with H2 Chemistry?
-The speaker struggled significantly with H2 Chemistry, scoring an E on their second block test during their second year in junior college, which left them feeling worried and unsure of how to answer questions properly or familiarize themselves with the lecture content.
What was the main issue the speaker faced with the teaching pace in school?
-The speaker faced an issue where the school had to rush to finish teaching the syllabus, leading to a situation where they hadn't fully mastered one topic before needing to learn the next, which compounded the problem with other subjects.
What was the first strategy the speaker adopted to improve their H2 Chemistry studies?
-The first strategy was to stop making their own notes, as they found it to be ineffective and a waste of time, instead opting to use two specific books that helped organize information in a more accessible way.
Why did the speaker find making their own notes ineffective?
-The speaker found making their own notes ineffective because they were merely copying notes word for word without truly absorbing the information, and they couldn't remember what they wrote down after a few hours.
What is 'checkpoint learning' as described by the speaker?
-'Checkpoint learning' is a method where the speaker revisits every minor detail in their lecture notes repeatedly, using work examples, lecture practices, and self-practice questions as checkpoints to build long-term muscle memory and deepen their understanding of the concepts.
How did the speaker apply active recall in their study routine?
-The speaker applied active recall by testing themselves consistently, either by verbally recalling information, writing it down, or getting friends to test them. This kept their mind active and helped them remember the material better.
What was the speaker's approach to practicing exam questions?
-The speaker practiced by doing a minimum of three questions from their revision package every day, aiming to complete the entire book before the prelim exams. They also did time practices regularly, simulating exam conditions and ensuring they did not cheat themselves on timing.
Why is it important to self-mark and resolve doubts immediately after practicing exam questions?
-Self-marking and resolving doubts immediately is crucial because it helps identify specific areas of weakness and knowledge gaps that need to be addressed. This immediate feedback loop ensures that learning is effective and that mistakes are not repeated.
How did the speaker track their progress in H2 Chemistry?
-The speaker tracked their progress by keeping a record of their scores or grades for each practice session. This allowed them to see trends in their performance, understand if their study methods were working, and make necessary adjustments.
What is the significance of analyzing one's own exam papers according to the speaker?
-Analyzing one's own exam papers is significant as it helps identify specific areas of weakness and the root causes of mistakes. This introspection allows for targeted improvement and ensures that time is spent effectively correcting errors and making meaningful progress.
What final advice does the speaker give to those struggling with H2 Chemistry?
-The speaker advises not to give up and to keep pushing forward, emphasizing that their journey from an E to an A in H2 Chemistry was long and arduous but ultimately rewarding, suggesting that perseverance and the right strategies can lead to success.
Outlines
📚 Overcoming Struggles in H2 Chemistry
The speaker reflects on their challenging journey with H2 Chemistry during junior college, where they initially scored an E on a test and felt overwhelmed by the syllabus and the need to master topics quickly. They describe their realization that copying notes was ineffective and how they transitioned to using two recommended books to aid their visual learning and consolidate their understanding. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of solidifying their basics through 'checkpoint learning', which involves revisiting and practicing every minor detail repeatedly to build long-term understanding and muscle memory.
📝 Active Learning and Exam Preparation Strategies
The speaker outlines several strategies that helped them improve their H2 Chemistry performance. They stopped making their own notes and instead used two specific books to organize information visually. They also adopted active recall by testing themselves verbally or in writing, which helped with memorization. The speaker emphasizes the importance of consistent practice, doing at least three questions daily from revision packages and past papers, and simulating exam conditions to build familiarity and confidence. They also highlight the significance of self-marking, resolving doubts immediately, and analyzing their performance to identify weak areas for targeted improvement. Additionally, they mention the benefits of tracking their progress over time to gauge the effectiveness of their study methods and manage expectations.
🏆 Achieving Success Through Consistent Effort and Strategy
The speaker concludes by summarizing the eight strategies that contributed to their transformation from an E to an A grade in H2 Chemistry. They recount the arduous journey and the systematic approach they developed, which included smart studying, solid basics, active recall, extensive practice, immediate corrections, paper analysis, and progress tracking. The speaker encourages fellow students not to give up and to apply these strategies to build momentum and confidence, ultimately leading to success in their exams. They invite viewers to engage with the content by liking, commenting, and subscribing for more study advice and tutorials.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡H2 Chemistry
💡Study Tips
💡Foundation
💡Active Recall
💡Practice
💡Checkpoint Learning
💡Self-Marking
💡Critical Analysis
💡Momentum
💡Progress Tracking
💡Mutual Support System
Highlights
The speaker initially struggled with H2 Chemistry, scoring an E on their second block test.
They felt pressured due to the syllabus rush and the need to juggle multiple subjects.
After reflecting on their study methods, they made significant adjustments to improve their understanding of H2 Chemistry.
They stopped making their own notes, finding it ineffective and time-consuming.
The speaker recommends two specific books for studying organic chemistry and consolidating lecture notes.
They emphasize the importance of a strong foundation by revisiting minor details through 'checkpoint learning'.
Active recall through self-testing was a strategy used to memorize definitions and processes in chemistry.
Consistent practice of exam questions was key, with a goal of three questions per day.
Timed practices were essential to simulate exam conditions and build confidence.
The importance of self-marking and immediate correction of mistakes was highlighted.
Creating a mutual support system with peers for doubt resolution and content revision.
The speaker improved by critically analyzing their papers to identify weak areas for targeted improvement.
Tracking scores or grades over time provided insights into the effectiveness of study methods and areas for improvement.
The creation of a feedback loop involving consistent study, active recall, practice, correction, analysis, and tracking led to significant improvement.
The speaker transformed their performance from an E to an A in H2 Chemistry by applying these strategies.
The journey was described as long, arduous, and painful, but ultimately rewarding.
The speaker encourages viewers not to give up and to apply the shared strategies for improvement.
Transcripts
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