<p>I never took a regular, honors, or AP chemistry class in high school.
I did take AP Calculus BC and AP Physics B and got 3's on both exams, not sure if that gives you an idea of my abilities...
I'm really anxious on how hard a college level chem class will be. If you have taken it or has had the same background, please share your experience!</p>
<p>I took regular chemistry my sophomore year, but it’s going to be like 3 years since then; I feel like I forgot a lot of the important stuff besides the basics, because my AP Bio classes covered them. I don’t know about you but I have the chemistry and chemistry essentials for dummies books. I think it’ll certainly help me recollect some things, so by the time my chem class starts I should be more comfortable with some of the topics. </p>
<p>Unlike you I didn’t take calculus in high school and stopped at trigonometry and statistics(took pre-alg 7th and alg 8th but repeated alg in 8th so I was behind). However, same thing with chemistry. I have the calculus for dummies book so that I could have a feel for it, you know. But in the end, it depends if you’re going to put in the work that will get you the grade. I know that college courses are going to be very different from high school ones, but I feel that if you go in with the mentality to do your best then you can at least pass. Plus, I’m sure that you’ve experienced what AP classes are like academically.</p>
<p>I’m also going to be attending UCSB in the fall, and I wish you the best in your studies.</p>
<p>If you want to familiarize yourself with the material there are lots of options. Your library may have the Teaching Company courses, you can find Chem on iTunesU, there are websites such as Khan Academy. It might be a good idea to pursue of of these just to hear the concepts.</p>
<p>That said, you actually can do fine even if you just show up for class with no background. I’d do the things I just mentioned, but even if you don’t they aren’t going to expect that you know anything for Chem 1. The trick is not to let yourself get intimidated by the kids around you that are talking with their pals, saying how Mr. Jones back at Our Great HS covered all this and more, how the class is going to be a walk in the park. They’re just trying to psych themselves up. I remember something along these lines happening when I took intro Chem, I studied hard and did just fine.</p>
<p>I’m a rising senior who never took Chemistry in high school and I’m currently taking Chemistry 1+ lab at a local community college and it’s REALLY EASY! I would say it’s similar to a regular high school class. But then it is community college. Good luck</p>