Okay, first time posting. I've looked around and didn't see any questions like this, so "here we go".

I've got a distinct feeling that chemistry in both of my last two years of high school were a bit of a wash. Didn't feel like there was very much content filling up class time, especially in grade eleven. I'm no savant when it comes to sciences, so I was just wondering what kind of catch-up work I'm going to have to put in. Same goes for calc & vectors... teacher seemed 'barely-there'.

So, question:

How much, if any, in-class review of highschool material is done in Chem 1AO3, and to a lesser extent Math 1AO3 in the opening weeks of first semester?

And another:

Were any of you more-senior Sciences students more or less unprepared for any of your first year courses (or at least, to put it more lightly, 'unfamiliar with the content')... and how did you deal with it?

Any words of wisdom would be supremely comforting and a load off of my mind.

PS: I'm aware of the online manual reviewy stuff. I'm just wondering about the actual beginning of the course.

There isn't really any review they just reteach you it at their pace. Try youtube.

You can use the Math help center on campus. They offer free help for all first year math courses. I actually would not have passed first year math if I hadn't used this center.

http://ms.mcmaster.ca/~mcleac3/Site/HelpCentreSite.html

They do lots of review since everyone has different backgrounds. It's not so much a review that they do at the beginning of the course (for chem at least), but with each new unit they start with stuff you should have learned in high school. Basically, if you feel like you're lacking in a certain area, use your textbook/google/tutorials/office hours to catch up. Personally, we skipped the electrochem unit in grade 12 entirely and I didn't feel too behind when we did it in class.

To be honest if your taking Chem 1A03 and Math 1LS3 you should be fine. Since you said you are taking Math 1A03 it might be smart to take math 1LS3 if you don't feel to confident. I didn't feel to comfy with my chem coming in but if you read the textbook for whatever material you are iffy about you should be fine. I can say a lot of the material is review from high school. So even if you didn't learn it well now is your chance! The only difference really is how the testing is done and the fact that there is more material on the midterms. So don't stress about it keep up to date on the material and read the text for any issues you have and you should be fine. For Math 1LS3 the textbook will teach you everything even if you forgot how to take the derivative of y= 4x they will teach you how to do that. Just be confident in yourself and you'll be fine!

I recall that for Chemistry, they pretty much leave the review to yourself and continue with new materials. If you want to be prepared, read the first 5 chapters for Chemistry except I think Acid-Base. The prof will tell you the same in class anyway.

I hadn't taken chemistry in 2 years but we reviewed the grade 12 material relevant to each chapter before we started the new material which was enough for me. Others who felt behind usually referred to the textbook to clarify or to get a more detailed explanation

BASICALLY, it's grade 12 all over again for chem 1a03 and math 1ls3, if you took the grade 12 courses that is. I think you should be fine if you stay on top of your readings/questions.

Thanks for the recommendations, guys, that helps, I'll be sure to use the resources available to me. As for the recommendation I take Math 1LS3... I'm pretty sure that's not necessary: and, well, impossible, at this point.

Anyways, thank you all.

^ Just to make sure you know you can still change courses around right now! Until a few days into the semester. If your saying its not necessary because your ready; I am glad to hear that .

Ok here's a comforting thought. I took two years off after university due to unforeseen circumstances didn't touch a single textbook. Not only that I had to repeat chem in high school grade 12 because I did pretty bad. I did pretty well in first year chem/math. It all depends on you. As long as you keep on top of your work try all the practice exams I think your will be fine. For me I found first year a review of high school (with slightly more detail) Good luck

Study daily, do problems, review content. Studying 1 hour a day for each course makes you have to study 0 during exam times. Don't fall behind because it's impossible to catch up otherwise. Attend your classes and use all the resources available to you. Ask questions or seek help.