One of your close friends is currently having a hard time with his chemistry class. His goal is to earn a degree in exercise science and eventually pursue occupational therapy, but he didn’t perform well on his first two major assessments and is feeling anxious about his academic future.
During a conversation, he shares the following details about his current habits:
He becomes frustrated when chemistry problems don’t respond to the same approach he’s used in other subjects.
He’s sleeping fewer than five hours a night.
He only works on chemistry on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
He studies with his phone on vibrate, checking messages throughout.
His main method of studying is re-reading the textbook.
He often stays up all night before important class days.
Task: Create a More Effective Study Strategy
Based on what your friend has shared, develop a realistic and helpful strategy that could lead to better results in his chemistry class.
Use what you’ve learned about memory, problem-solving, and consciousness to explain why his current habits may not be effective, and describe specific changes he can make to improve his understanding and performance.
Your explanation should include:
A breakdown of what’s not working and why
Suggestions for more productive study habits
Sample Answer
It’s understandable that your friend is feeling anxious; struggling in a required course can be very stressful, especially when it feels like past study methods aren't working. The good news is that his current habits clearly explain his difficulties, and small, strategic changes can lead to significant improvements.
Here is a breakdown of why his current approach is ineffective, followed by a realistic, helpful study strategy based on principles of memory, problem-solving, and consciousness.
Part 1: Breakdown of Ineffective Habits and Why
Your friend's current struggles stem from a combination of poor time management, ineffective study methods, and a lack of sufficient sleep.
Part 2: Suggestions for a More Productive Study Strategy
The new strategy focuses on maximizing active engagement, sleep health, and distributed practice.
1. Optimize Consciousness: Protect the Learning Environment
Implement a Digital Detox During Study: When he sits down for chemistry, the phone should be in a different room or turned off completely. He should commit to 45–60 minutes of focused work (using sustained attention) followed by a planned 10-minute break where he can check his phone as a reward (using the Pomodoro Technique).
Acknowledge Problem-Solving Shifts: When facing a new type of problem, he must consciously stop applying the "other subject" approach. He should shift to metacognition—thinking about his thinking—by asking, "What is the core chemical concept here, and what type of problem (e.g., stoichiometry, solution chemistry) am I actually solving?"