MadSci Network: Chemistry
Query:

Re: Easy ways to study for this topic that stay in your head.

Date: Thu Oct 6 09:37:16 2005
Posted By: Dan Berger, Faculty Chemistry/Science, Bluffton University
Area of science: Chemistry
ID: 1128615163.Ch
Message:

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


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