MadSci Network: Chemistry |
Dear Kassy, Unfortunately there is no substitute for time spent with the material. That's been recognized for many centuries. For example, here's a suggestion from Rene Descartes (1596-1650) on how to read his book "Principles of Philosophy": "I should wish the reader at first go over the whole of it, as he would a romance, without greatly straining his attention, or tarrying at the difficulties he may perhaps meet with, and that afterwards, if they seem to him to merit a more careful examination, and he feels a desire to know their causes, he may read it a second time, in order to observe the connection of my reasonings; but that he must not then give it up in despair, although he may not everywhere sufficiently discover the connection of the proof, or understand all the reasonings – it being only necessary to mark with a pen the places where the difficulties occur, and continue reading without interruption to the end; then, if he does not grudge to take up the book a third time, I am confident that he will find in a fresh perusal the solution of most of the difficulties he will have marked before; and that, if any remain, their solution will in the end be found in another reading." School is a full-time job + another half-time for studying, so your situation is like anyone else working two full-time jobs: you have to be ruthless in prioritizing. Good luck! Dan Berger
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Chemistry.