Chemistry! A rather intriguing subject per se. Being forced into taking it on account of a desire to take up Biology in JC, I was faced with the prospect of needing to relearn a subject I had previously scored pitifully for. Since my high school days, I have always maintained a somewhat neutral stance towards the subject, approaching it with a disinterest that was evident in my subpar grades. However this time, I was up for the challenge, believing that through my PURE TALENT and SHEER WILL that I would be able to score well for the subject. Well, let’s just say that it didn’t really go as planned…
The mid-year block tests woke me up to the reality of the situation; that simply relying on my minimal revision was not enough to score well. With the topics tested being similar to those during my high school days, I was confident that an easy A was on the horizon. Imagine my shock when the unassuming topic of Reactions and Stoichiometry proved to be more of a formidable foe than previously imagined. Blanking at the calculations required for the Gaseous State questions, forgetting the answers to simple Chemical Bonding questions, and struggling to piece together information from the subject matter of Atomic Structure and Physical Periodicity resulted in many blank answers and unattempted questions. In short, a miracle would be needed to even pass this paper.
After my block tests, it dawned on me that I was behind many of my peers. Topics such as Reaction Kinetics and Chemical Equilibria were easily digested by my classmates, but left me stumped. How do I define the order of reaction? How should I calculate the equilibrium constant of a reaction? The gravity of the situation left me feeling unmotivated and nihilistic, believing that all hope was already lost for the subject. I began to slack in chemistry classes, causing a wider gap to form between my acquired knowledge and the skills taught so far. I knew that this couldn’t go on, but saw no reason in trying to fight against the current of my inevitable failure. Was it the end of my chemistry journey? Was I destined to flunk my promotional exams?
No. That couldn’t have been the end of my story. I couldn’t give up on a subject as important as chemistry. Thus, I decided to seek help from someone I knew could help me. My desk mate. A chemistry genius. Not only did he ace his block tests, he also was a part of the school’s Chemistry Olympiad. I stumbled up to him, pleading for him to take some time to re-teach me the basics of the subject. We spent time together in the library, with him patiently clarifying my doubts and filling the gaps left in my chemistry knowledge. Slowly, I began to better understand the subject, garnering an appreciation for the beauty of the subject matter, leading me to start proactively revising for upcoming topics with zeal. And that made all a difference.
Introduction to Organic Chemistry was a breeze. Isomerism, Alkanes and Alkenes brought about an interesting and fun angle to chemistry, something that I had never felt before. Before the promotional exams, I would regularly study together with my desk mate, with each of us preparing mock questions for the other and rectifying any errors in our concepts (mainly mine). In the end, I felt a resurgence of confidence in the subject, believing that I could truly excel, and at worst would see a massive improvement from the block tests.
All in all, an overall C grade presented itself on my report card. Sure, it wasn’t the flashy A or the modest B, but it was a huge leap in marks that I was proud of. This year taught me a lot about myself, and alot about chemistry as a subject. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, to clarify doubts, and to admit that you’re behind, for that is the only way to move forward. If need be, collaborate with a group of friends, condense the ungodly amount of notes into concise bullet points through mind-maps and the like (this really helped with Alkanes and Alkenes), while striving to make the topics easier to understand and apply during examinations. Most importantly, find a place in your heart for chemistry, for passion is the paramount factor for success.
Chemistry is the art of balancing equations - both in the lab and in real life. For any hopefuls with a desire to take up chemistry next year, or if you’re a biology lover like me, I hope that you are able to develop a love for the topic, excelling in your examinations while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. All the best!
Written by: Wong Lie Qi (23S78), Lin Yukang (23S7D)
Edited by: Samuel Naing Yee Sheng (23S75)
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