I would like to tell you that CHEM 3520 is an easy class, that you do not need to study to get an "A" in the class, and that you can cram at the last minute before an exam and do well.  Unfortunately,  this is rarely the case for anyone.

Below I provide a few hints that can lead to success in CHEM 3520:

1. If you do not understand a major concept,  be sure to talk with your instructor (sooner than later!).
The material in CHEM 3520 continues to build on earlier chapters, and missing major concepts at an earlier stage of the course can mean the difference between an "A" in the course, and something much lower. Do not wait and assume that you will "catch up" or "catch on" as the semester progresses.  The situation will only worsen.

2.  Do the homework assignments early.
Yes, (1) do the homework assignments, and (2) early!  (And maybe even do some extra exercises!)  Yes, I realize that there are courses where the instructor tells you to do homework, and that having done the homework seems to be of no benefit on the exams.  However, in CHEM 3520, failure to do the homework (and failure to understand the homework - i.e. working on it WITHOUT staring at the solutions manual!) equates to poor exam performance.

Often students who do not work on the assignments early run out of time to work on all of the homework problems, and miss out on important concepts often covered on the exams.  This is often the difference between good students that get A's and B's in CHEM 3520, and good students that are surprised to find themselves with C's (and lower).

3.  Look at another textbook.
Every textbook does not "work" for everyone.  If you are finding some of the explanations in the textbook difficult to understand, seek out another text (or two or three) from the library. You may find additional examples and descriptions that are particularly useful.

4.  Working with others on the problems and discussing them.
This only helps if everyone is participating (not just copying and listening!).  Chances are that if you are unable to explain to your classmates how you did your problems, then you are not well-prepared enough for an exam.  And, yes, it may be difficult to find the time for such study sessions - that is why there is an optional (but recommended!) recitation session.