YEAR 12 UNIT 3/4 HEADSTART- CHEMISTRY

[als0004]

I know a few of our fellow AN peers have posted within regards to getting a headstart in units 3&4 Chemistry.

I was just wondering what is the best formulaic (if you put it that way) approach to getting a decent headstart in chemistry.

Would any of you recommend doing notes->textbook questions->extra resource questions->exam questions.

any input will be helpful !

[blacksanta62]

I know a few of our fellow AN peers have posted within regards to getting a headstart in units 3&4 Chemistry.

I was just wondering what is the best formulaic (if you put it that way) approach to getting a decent headstart in chemistry.

Would any of you recommend doing notes->textbook questions->extra resource questions->exam questions.

any input will be helpful !

Were you given holiday homework? I don't really have a 'formula' so....

What I recommend you do is not trying any trial papers just yet, far too early unless the order you put it in ( "notes->textbook questions->extra resource questions->exam questions") applies respectfully.

Begin reading over chapter's so that you are ahead of the pack before the year even finishes that way any small mistakes (which ironically add up to huge mark losses  ) can be corrected.

Recap what was done this year. A lot of this foundation stuff will come up in next years course in a more applied context (there is usually a review in the unit 3/4 textbook but go through your notes slowly and try to apply it again) because, in my teachers words, "there just isn't anytime to spend on it next year!"

The bottom one should probs be at the top since imo it's the first thing to do!

[mtse]

I was just wondering what is the best formulaic (if you put it that way) approach to getting a decent headstart in chemistry.

Would any of you recommend doing notes->textbook questions->extra resource questions->exam questions.

Before I actually started any of my subjects, I had a read of the study design in the holidays and got a vague idea of what topics would be covered throughout the year. From that I was able to find out what year 11 knowledge I needed to retain and what I could basically wipe out of my brain. I made sure I knew everything about those topics. (If you would like a list of those topics I could try to dig up my notes, so just PM me.)  I would also go through tests and exams from units 1,2 and make a note of all the mistakes I made to ensure that I don't repeat them in year 12.

Once that's done, I would say read the textbook and watch videos, if you want start making some notes and perhaps do some textbook qs. Within the holidays I doubt you'll get up to doing extra qs and exam qs yet, you might want to save those for until you actually learn the topics. Either way I wouldn't dedicate my entire holidays to working. Like getting a head start is great and all, but year 12 is gruelling and you'll really regret not taking a break.

Hope that helps and good luck with chem (totally the best subject ever)

[als0004]

" Once that's done, I would say read the textbook and watch videos, if you want start making some notes and perhaps do some textbook qs. Within the holidays I doubt you'll get up to doing extra qs and exam qs yet, you might want to save those for until you actually learn the topics. Either way I wouldn't dedicate my entire holidays to working. Like getting a head start is great and all, but year 12 is gruelling and you'll really regret not taking a break. "

Yeah understandable, I am taking a break before I decide to embark on headstart. So basically after you made sure you had a strong basis, you kicked on with some videos, questions and brief notes?
Would you recommend JumpStart for chem, which basically provides you with all the skills and requirements from units 1&2 for 3&4?

[mtse]

Would you recommend JumpStart for chem, which basically provides you with all the skills and requirements from units 1&2 for 3&4?

I actually haven't heard of JumpStart before, but it looks pretty useful.

So basically after you made sure you had a strong basis, you kicked on with some videos, questions and brief notes?

Yeah so the order was read textbook -> watch video -> make some notes -> try textbook questions (or StudyOn - a supplementary book/ online question bank by Jacaranda if you have it)

If you want more, attending some lectures by AtarNotes or TSFX can also be really helpful. Also they give you notes which, for me, was great cause I'm a bit lazy when it comes to writing my own notes.

[grannysmith]

You don't really need to use the textbook at all (I never did).

Best is to attend AN lectures, grab a few questions books (e.g. Neap, Lisachem, Exampro) and just casually work through them at your own pace. Also use vTextbook to learn the material - it really covers the course well (especially for unit 4).

Most of chemistry really just relies on solid understanding; going too much ahead is not necessary. If there was one topic worth going through in depth (if such a thing exists in VCE), it'd be organic chem as this is often glossed over by teachers (at least mine did).

But yeah, with chemistry I think if you nail the topics the first time you should be in good stead.