Chemistry Anxiety

Before I share a lot of chemistry, I wanted to talk about chemistry anxiety. When I tell people that I am a chemistry major, it usually follows with, "I did horrible in chemistry". "Chemistry was my worst subject." I do not blame them. It really is one of those subjects that you need a good teacher and you need to have some motivation to learn it.

Chemistry is hard in a couple of different ways. If you have math anxiety then you probably will have chemistry anxiety. General chemistry is very algebra heavy. The second reason is it requires a different type of application. The answer is not always a straight forward one. It can get complicated really quick. A lot of the times it requires that you know a lot to even understand how to start the problem. Chemistry is cumulative, it builds on itself. The first three chapters you will use for the entirety of your general chemistry studies. It is important to understand both the bigger picture and the details. See how everything connects. Try to apply concepts to you daily life. Different chemistry classes require different things from you. Organic chemistry really tests your general chemistry knowledge. There is virtually not math but is extremely conceptual. Biochemistry tests your knowledge in biology and organic chemistry. It also has very little math. Analytical chemistry tests knowledge and advances topics from general chemistry. It uses a lot of the same math from general chemistry. Physical chemistry is a mixture a physics and chemistry. It requires a least multivariable calculus and linear algebra and differential equations. This is why there are so many perquisites for chemistry majors. That was long winded way to say that there is a lot of puzzle pieces but, that it is important to have an overview.
​How can I reduce chemistry Anxiety?

• Realize that chemistry is hard for a lot of people. You are not alone.
• Take breaks. It is a lot of work to solve problems. Sometimes you need some time to think and come at it from a different angle.
• Be as prepared as possible.
• Get help when you need it. There are tons of resources and tutors are always an option.
• Try to see where you are struggling. Is it the concepts? Is it the algebra? Do you have trouble even starting the problems?
• Since it is cumulative, make sure you understand the earlier chapters. Redo and review.

The second area for chemistry anxiety is the Lab. It took me a while to really reduce my anxiety. College chemistry is very different from a high school chemistry lab. There is some risk in what we do in lab. During high school, I remember that I really did not like the experiments because I was scared that something would happen. That was transferred over to college chemistry as well. The second lab we were using Bunsen burners (it is an open flame). It was not until the second semester of general chemistry that my anxiety was not as much. Organic chemistry it is so much more straight forward and at point you have a year of lab experience under your belt. So it does get better the more you practice. Just like anything.
Chemistry Lab Tips:

• Do the pre-lab!
• Make sure to read the procedure
• Watch videos: since the pandemic a lot of the lab are on YouTube.
• Make sure that  prep your lab notebook.
• Make sure to write down what you are actually doing. This will be so helpful for when doing the write up.
• Understand that you are trying to learn the techniques. You are going to fail sometimes and it part of it.

I hope that this post gave you some insight and advice on how to deal with chemistry anxiety.
Sources and References:

• https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ed086p1447
• https://www.allenoverseas.com/blog/chemistry-anxiety-how-to-overcome/