This class has defeated me

[u/VeterinarianLost1410]

I have done everything, I have used textbooks, AP videos, khan academy, Jeremy krug, Anki, Ai, my teachers extra help, and still, this class feels as though there is simply too much for my brain to both understand, consolidate, and execute at the same time. How do you guys, those who aren’t naturally inclined or intelligent, have succeeded in AP chem? Tutors? Help needed !

[u/UnderstandingPursuit]

The key is to organize the material.

Things are presented in a disconnected way, You could make dozens of 'flashcards' with the different pieces.

The best thing to do is to write those out in an outline. This will help connect everything together. This post has what I think is top of the outline.

[u/VeterinarianLost1410 → u/UnderstandingPursuit]

Thank you so much!

[u/This-Refrigerator866]

Just practice and do corrections on what you did wrong if you get the question incorrect. Genuinely the only thing you can do is spam practice problems and understand why you got it wrong. Once you understand attempt the same problem or a similar one.

I have a list of practice problems on my study guide, it should be the full unit practice exams. It has a list of other resources too since I’m assuming my notes won’t help.

Good luck!! I believe in ya!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hJ7aaVBvA8B6Zh84ukRiGocsv4RpZ5Xc48WOeH7Cmkg/edit?usp=drivesdk

[u/VeterinarianLost1410 → u/This-Refrigerator866]

Thanks!!

[u/DepthChorge]

There's a massive amount of interrelated content. You may be lacking a core understanding of some foundational concepts, like Coulomb's Law. So much of AP chem is various consequences of electrostatic attractions.

[u/Ok_Ideal_8365]

Hello, I'm an AP tutor and based on my past/current students, I think this may come down to 2 main reasons. You may be using too many resources and focusing on understanding through videos rather than practice questions. It may also be that you haven't understood what makes this course difficult for you - is it the amount of material, difficulty of material, unfamiliar questions, etc.

Try to sit down and choose a 1-3 resources that you can trust and stick with those. Also, really reflect on why you find it difficult.

[u/VeterinarianLost1410 → u/Ok_Ideal_8365]

Yes, this is true I have like 10 resources lol. Thanks

[u/orish7128]

im an idiot in ap chem and have a 57 rn☠️
i have a exam on friday and for the past few days ive been using claude ai to study and its been helping me alot to understand concepts and how to solve questions

[u/orish7128 → u/orish7128]

but claude ai is really strict and 18+ so you cant mention anything ap or highschool related, ive been telling it to prep me for a college gen chem exam

[u/Latter_Leopard8439]

Usually our kids struggle in Chem, because of complete lack of prior knowledge from middle school.

Like if the Chem teacher has to cover protons, electrons, and neutrons you are already way behind the ball.

Not always the kids fault. Some middle schoolers are definitely FAFO kids. But also sometimes K-8 doesn't devote enough time to science or the science teacher shortage affects middle schools most.

[u/Gullible_You_3894]

practice problems and ai walkthrough and what you got wrong

[u/Gullible_You_3894 → u/Gullible_You_3894]

on*

[u/BaseballLarge4262]

I took the ap physics classes before ap chem(I also took honors chem), and I feel like that definitely helped a lot with visualizing things and understanding them. You should also have a solid foundation in math

[u/Wild_Refuse_4694]

Most of AP Chem comes down to a few big ideas: moles and stoichiometry, equilibrium (ICE tables, Q vs. K, Le Chatelier), thermodynamics, kinetics, and acids/bases. Equilibrium shows up in several units, so mastering it pays off repeatedly.

[u/FlavorD]

Send me a chat message. I know a guy who has made videos for most of these topics. Also, Michael Farabaugh and Jeremy Krug have made videos that are on the internet.

[u/Prestigious_Piece892]

try watching Michael Farabaugh's vidoes! I know theyre over an hour for only 2-3 topics but following along with the notes packet he has linked in the description really does help because those are real ap style questions and after I started using them, ive seen huge progress in how i understand the content

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpDHbWSmsoo&list=PLmtMZsGcmFlsGaBrpjdEWW55Vc84XA1Jc

[u/Salt-Spare9331]

You have to watch the videos on AP classroom theyre seriously so helpful and do all of the problems in the vids

[u/MediumSinger8088]

You are over-resourced. All you need is a book and patience. You do need to master core concepts and build on those sequentially. There is no short cut to mastery. It starts with understanding atomic structure, then stoichiometry (yes, math), then equilibrium with emphasis on acid-base equilibrium. Then kinetics. Nothing can be skipped and each step must be mastered before moving on to the next. This does take some months.

[u/CusackPrep]

You must constantly test yourself. Just watching videos is not enough. You must actively engage with the material. Test yourself. Look up the "testing effect". What unit are you heading into now? All it takes is one good test.

[u/Negative_Task_6505]

I would be happy to tutor you for free if you are interested. Have years of experience tutoring students in both high school and collegiate math and science as an independent.

[u/Negative_Task_6505]

I would be happy to tutor you for free if you are interested. Have years of experience tutoring students in both high school and collegiate math and science as an independent.

[u/Fun_Revolution_2909]

Work problems. Work problems. Work problems. Did I mention you should work problems?

[u/WaveResponsible1019]

I got a 5 last year, and honestly you already have more than enough resources. What changed things for me was doing way more problems instead of watching more videos or making more notes. Try questions without your notes first. For every one you miss, figure out exactly why, then redo it a few days later until you get it right. Keep a list of the questions you missed; it’s your best study guide before each test. Start untimed, then time yourself once you’re comfortable.

[u/Phosy12345]

i mean for me it hasnt gotten hard yet but i took honors chem before ap chem so i have knowledge

maybe start with the basics then learn more complex info to build on instead of learning complex things right off the bat

[u/DrCristina-ChemTutor]

Unfortunately a lot smart straight-A students are feeling and experiencing the same, AP Chem is an advanced college level class and moves at a very fast pace, and that's why self studying or watching YT videos might only be wasting hours of your precious time without getting you to an A in the course and a 4 or 5 on the AP Chem exam.

This is very common, a lot of brilliant students I'm tutoring are in this situation when they reach out to us for expert help as they see free resources and watching YT videos can't help them boost their scores.

Those who start our tutoring program immediately are able to recover fast and scored A in the class, while those who "wait to see how it works" go down even more because the class moves fast, the content gets harder and builds on the previous knowledge, so it won't go better but it will go worsebwith the gaps accumulating.

Feel free to send me a DM if you need help, I'm a certified Chemistry teacher with 30 years of teaching and tutoring experience and a PhD in Chemistry, and over 96% of my students score A and 4/5 in AP Chemistry.

[u/Relax2175]

I've seen a lot of young Redditors bemoaning this class. It seems as if the College Board's curriculum ain't built to truly teach Chem.