Typically, chemistry-interested JC students are given the option between H1 and H2 chemistry at the outset of their studies. Compared to H1 Chemistry, H2 Chemistry is known to be significantly more difficult and rigorous but ultimately rewarding.
In H2 Chemistry, students will be exposed to fundamental concepts such as Matter, Structure (Chemical Bonding), and Properties (The Periodic Table), as well as Transformation (Chemical Reactions), which will filter into extension topics covering organic compounds, transition elements, etc.
So, how do you tackle H2 Chemistry?
Enhance your foundation.
To seamlessly transition into H2 Chemistry, you must comprehend O Level Chemistry topics. As it introduces students to the fundamentals of Chemistry, including the constitution of matter, the structure of elements, foundational chemical reactions, and balancing equations, etc., O Level Chemistry is fundamental to the study of chemistry.
Without mastery of at least one of these disciplines, it will be difficult to catch up in H2 Chemistry. Therefore, if you have decided to take H2 Chemistry, you should review all O-level topics to gain a head start.
Meaningful education.
There is no shortcut to mastering H2 Chemistry, and students must be willing to devote time and effort to delve deeper into the material.
However, some strategies can help you obtain the upper hand when addressing various aspects of the subject. The numerous topics covered in H2 Chemistry include electrochemistry (Physical Chemistry) and carbon compounds (Organic Chemistry), among others.
Effective learning requires striking a balance between meaningful learning and memorisation.
Practice leads to mastery.
Application questions comprise the bulk of the H2 Chemistry paper, assessing your thinking skills and understanding of diverse topics.
Frequently, application queries are difficult and may even appear alien to students. Fret not! You only need to review your fundamentals to draw connections and recognise patterns between fundamental concepts and application queries.
To get your mechanisms in motion, you must practise, practise, and practise until you have exhausted all possible angles for presenting a topic.
Master hands-on applications.
Another essential component of H2 Chemistry is the practical paper that assesses students’ hands-on skills in conducting experiments.
Before conducting an experiment, become acquainted with the list of equipment and compounds, the variables, and the desired outcome. When experimenting, it is essential to be well-prepared.
Practical assessments exist as a component of H2 Chemistry and equip you with the skills and know-how to be industry-ready. Therefore, take advantage of this opportunity to conduct every experiment in the book, provided that you have the necessary resources.
Stay ahead of the curve.
Prepare for examinations by examining the marking scheme and past year H2 Chemistry papers. This will give you a general notion of what to expect when answering exam questions and allow you to strategise and optimise your answering techniques.
Seek outside aid.
If you still lack confidence in your skills and abilities and require external guidance, many centres offer H2 chemistry tuition that can aid you in your pursuit of subject mastery.