It sounds like your friend is in a tough spot with chemistry, but it’s great that they’re reaching out for help! Their goals in Exercise Science and Occupational Therapy are definitely achievable, and with some adjustments, they can absolutely get on track.

Let’s break down some of the things they shared and come up with a plan:

Understanding the Challenges

It seems like there are a few key areas contributing to their chemistry struggles:

• Frustration with problems: This is a common hurdle with subjects like chemistry that require active problem-solving. If they’re getting stuck and giving up, they’re not fully engaging with the material.
• Lack of consistent study: Only studying chemistry on Tuesday and Thursday nights isn’t enough for a challenging subject. Chemistry builds on itself, and consistent exposure is crucial.
• Poor study habits:
  • Re-reading the chapter: This is a passive study method that often doesn’t lead to deep understanding or retention, especially for problem-based subjects.
  • Phone distractions: Even on vibrate, checking messages constantly breaks focus and makes it harder to concentrate and learn effectively.
  • All-nighters: These are counterproductive. They lead to exhaustion, poor recall, and increased stress, often making exam performance worse rather than better.
• Sleep deprivation: Less than five hours of sleep is a major red flag. Sleep is vital for memory consolidation, problem-solving, and overall cognitive function. Without enough sleep, learning new concepts and applying them becomes incredibly difficult.

Actionable Advice for Your Friend

Here’s a plan your friend can implement to turn things around:

1. Tackle the Frustration and Homework Habits

• Don’t go it alone: Encourage them to attend professor office hours or seek help from a tutor right away. Getting immediate clarification on confusing topics or problems is key. Many universities offer free tutoring services.
• Break it down: Instead of trying to do all the homework at once, suggest they work on a few problems each day. This makes the task less daunting and allows for more consistent practice.
• Focus on understanding, not just answers: When working on problems, they should try to understand why a particular step is taken, not just memorize the steps. If they get stuck, they should review their notes, the textbook, or examples before immediately looking up the answer.
• Utilize online resources: Websites like Khan Academy, YouTube tutorials, or specific chemistry problem-solving sites can offer alternative explanations and practice problems.