Welcome To Chemistry!

The time has finally arrived, the time for you to take chemistry.  As we begin the school year, it is natural to have questions about:  “What is chemistry?  What are the goals and the expectations for this class?  Can I master the subject and earn the kind of grade I want?”

The last question is the easiest one to answer but perhaps the hardest one to fulfill.  Absolutely, YOU can do it!  You can learn a lot of chemistry that will be critical to know regardless of whether you become a doctor, a homeowner, a beautician, or a mechanic (or any profession for that matter). Students of varying abilities have proved that again and again through the years.

But chemistry isn’t easy.  Learning how to make observations on what composes materials that make up the world around us, understanding how compounds are formed, why they react, why they exist as a solid, liquid, or a gas, recognizing how chemical reactions are controlled…. Can be quite complicated at times.  There is no question that the course requirements place high expectations upon us.

Surprisingly, as important as chemistry’s content is in today’s technological world, still more valuable is the discipline the course fosters, both social and intellectual.  We encounter many problems; some in the text; some in the lab; some planned; some unplanned.  This work should result in increasing your problem solving ability.  You will learn strategies that will allow you to cope with the lack of immediate success.  There will be times when you are simply stuck and draw a blank mind.  That can be very frustrating and it is important to be able to accept those times and work through them.  You could consider that problem solving too.

 What is more is that leaving chemistry after our many labs and discussions you should feel more comfortable about working in groups understanding the interactions necessary for work to be achieved – that is the need for all to get involved and do their fair share.  It is surprising the number of lasting friendships that will develop from our work together, especially our lab work.

So chemistry is much more that just atoms and molecules.  It is recognizing the responsibility you have to yourself as well as to your classmates.  It is being accountable for those responsibilities, be they assignments or absences.  It is approaching social and intellectual challenges with a willing and persevering spirit.

You can succeed and most students do very well.  I’ll be here to assist and help you in whatever way I can.  I really look forward to being able to work with each and every one of you.  But ultimately, you are the one who determines if you succeed or not.  Set your goals high and don’t quit until you reach them.