<p>I got the textbook required for chem111a today and was planning on starting to study a bit just to get ahead. However, I'm not sure what topics I should go over since I doubt everything in the textbook is covered?? Any guide that can help me better understand what I aspects of chem the teachers emphasize/go over etc. would be great.</p>
<p>This is going to sound daunting, but you will indeed cover much of what’s in the book. Most things that look unfamiliar will be covered in 111A. Anything that seems familiar to you from high school chemistry (elements, chemicals, reactions, etc.) will not be covered until the spring. Chem 111A is a quantum mechanics course. Much of what’s in the book may be too difficult for you to understand without complementary lectures. I think you’d probably be better off enjoying the rest of your summer without worrying about 111A, and then making sure you’re doing all of the necessary work during the semester.</p>
<p>^seconded</p>
<p>It’s not worth studying quantum mechanics, there’s little reward for a lot of work.</p>
<p>Most of what is in the book is very low yield for exams. The problem sets and Peer Led Team Learning (PLTL) Group materials will be emphasized on test and these will focus on problem solving, something that reading the textbook will help very little with. My suggestion: Enjoy your summer (or study other subjects) as you should be ready to be diligent throughout the school year and complete every problem set soon after they are assigned (these are not graded). You should also sign up for and attend every PLTL session (These are problem solving groups that meet on the weekend with a mentor that has done well and you work collaboratively with a small group (8-10 students) to solve a set of chemistry problems each week for 2 hours - usually Saturday and Sunday - However, be careful as these PLTL groups alone will NOT be sufficient study time). While in past years (4+ years ago), exams often emphasized material that asked you to synthesize information beyond what was seen in PLTL, lecture, and problem sets (i.e. exams were much harder to the point of ridiculousness), this is becoming less and less of the case. Much of the material on exams has become very similar (sometimes slightly easier or harder) to the materials they have provided making it all the more necessary to complete it all. If you’re able to solve all the problems given without your notes, then you should have no problem getting an A in the class. </p>
<p>TL;DR - Book isn’t worth it. Make sure to complete all problem sets, attend PLTL, and go to lecture ON SCHEDULE and do all problems without notes for your study and you’ll get an A.</p>