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It is never too early to start reading the book or reading through the notes, but with about a week left before the exam you need to begin a new kind of studying more on this later.
Don't rely on tutors or group-study to learn the material - this is often not very effective. OK, now the Do's: Do start the 'serious studying' at least one 1 week before the exam.
What is 'serious studying? What I mean by this is that the best way to learn the material is by writing it, not reading it. Reading is good for the initial exposure to the material, but to really learn it you have to write it.
And don't be fooled - many of you use flash cards - the first time you write the reaction scheme on a flash card you are performing the same operation that will be required of you on an exam and that's great , but after that, when you 'study' the cards, all you are really doing is reading them. I believe that the best exercise you can do is take your lecture notes and a separate notebook and begin transferring reaction schemes from the notes to notebook.
Along with the reaction schemes you should include any relevant regio- and stereoselectivity associated with the reaction. Start at the beginning and work through the notes - one reaction at a time. Do this by yourself, with as little distraction as possible. Here is an example: 1. NaBH4 Stereosel. Let's say you can get through ten 10 reactions in one day.
The next day re-write those ten and do ten more, including regio- and stereoselectivity information. The next day re-write the first twenty 20 and continue with an additional ten, etc.
Keep doing this - even if you think you know the reactions - keep repeating this exercise. Make it more difficult by changing the direction of the reaction start with the product and predict what starting material or reaction conditions should be used. Remember I present the reaction from left to right, but the exam will often test your knowledge from right to left.
This will be a particularly useful skill when you attempt a synthesis problem. And don't forget to do as many of the relevant in the book questions i.
These are useful in-group study see below. Do repeat the above exercise over and over and over. The best way to learn most anything is through repetition. This is why you need to start as early as possible and do a few reactions everyday.
Do learn the mechanisms in the same way - write them over and over. When you have questions regarding a mechanism concept i. What happens when you have the exam in front of you? Many of you experience the dreaded 'test anxiety' when you first see the exam or maybe when you wake-up the day of the exam.
This is very natural, and it stems from uncertainty - you are uncertain what questions are on the exam and you are uncertain with your preparation for the exam.
Moreover, the questions are not 'trick' questions. It is true that you must read the directions, but nothing on the exam is meant to trick you.
I suggest that you put a time limit to solving the problems 5 mins. This will do two things it will get you use to solving problems with some time pressure and it will build-up your confidence. The more problems you can successfully solve the more confident you will become.
If you are unable to solve the problem have the group give you small the smaller the better hints until you can figure it out. If you think you can study all-night and then 'ace' the exam - forget it!
There is simply too much material for this method of studying. Start studying early - and get some sleep.
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