Monthly Archives: February 2009

Early Preparation for O Level Chemistry: Rising Up Whenever You Seems Like Falling

Written on February 22, 2009 by sean in Inspiration

Check out this video called “The Best Dance”.

This video shows a guy who lost his leg dances with a girl who lost her arm in a car accident. The dance won first prize in annual dance competition on CCTV9 international, Beijing. Truly Inspirational stuff.

It shows us that no matter what difficulties we faced in life, we should treasure our life and make the most out of it. Life is Beautiful. Love it and Live It. Everything is possible! Do not give up just yet!

Why am i showing you this video??????

For the last few days, i have seen many “sad faces” on Sec 3, 4 and 5 students in Facebook.

Many have just finished taking their common tests in schools and feeling sad of not passing.

In fact, many Sec 4 students taking Pure Chemistry has been “advised” by their teachers to drop Pure Chemistry totally (and concentrate on other subjects) or to switch to Combine Science (Chemistry + Physics/Biology). I have discussed on this NEGATIVE TREND last may (2008) when a new student showed me her common test papers and the “Negative Words” left by her teacher (gosh..from Elite School some more).

Recently, i have received several calls from parents on my thoughts on this matter. I am glad to have talked to their child and keep their faith in their Chemistry. =) Let’s work hard together.

Students, if you are reading this post – i just want to let you know that there is more than enough time for you to overhaul your Chemistry Grades (for your O Levels). You just need to find the correct method / strategies of learning this subject.

And do not let anyone call you as ~~FAILURE~~! Cos there is NO SUCH THING as ~~FAILURE~~! You did not do well because of the wrong methods that you used for learning. You just need to find the correct method.

Everything Is Possible! – If you set goals and work towards it.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail”

PS: Whether you are a Parent / Students / Teacher / Tutor, do leave me a comment on your thoughts. I would love to hear from you.

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Sec 3 / 4 / 5 GCE O level A-Math & Chemistry Programme – Register Now!

Written on February 15, 2009 by sean in Announcement, Chemistry Coaching, Exam Strategies, Tips for Improvement

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If you are GCE O Level Secondary 3 / 4 / 5 student or RGS/RI/RVHS/Dunman High/NYGH/HCI/ACSI (or any other IP students), read on.

If right now, you are

not understanding what is taught in school.
losing momentum.
not having any interest or motivation in A-Math or Chemistry.
totally lost during lesson.
consoling yourself that things will get better eventually (without no actions taken)

AND

You want to do better because you deserve it.
You want to improve because you can’t stand others looking down at you, adults’ nagging at you …
You want to prove it to the rest of the world that you can do it.
You want to get bettter grades so that you want more choices after your O levels/IP programmes.

All these will not be possible UNLESS … …

You start taking action NOW instead of waiting (Perhaps you can manage on your own? Wait for common test results and see how?)

Major Misconceptions:

I can study the last minute for my Os … (2-4 years of work for 6-9 subjects cramped in 1-2 months?) What happens when it backfires?
There is still much time left for preparation of examinations. Is 8 months and counting down a long time?
Teachers in school will give us extra lessons. You wouldn’t want to wait till then. Start now & be consistent.
O level examinations are much easier to score. What does it show when you consistently do not perform well in tests?

Just like pulling up of weeds, a gardener has to pull up the unwanted, useless plants consistently so that the crops are growing healthier in a plot of fertile soil. Imagine what happens when the gardener loses the momentum in maintaining the plot of land. Weeds are everywhere, overshadowing the crops which will eventually die off due to lack of essentials.

You are just like the gardener taking care of the plot of land by growing perhaps 6 – 9 different crops (Subjects). Weeds are your doubts, if unclear, they pile up till they overwhelmed you!

Clear your weeds consistently & be a happy gardener harvesting your returns in the end.

We have opened up MORE Sec3/4 A-Math/Chemistry Ultimate Leap Programme - The Weekly Coaching Programme.

SCHEDULE OF PROGRAMME: CLICK HERE

To register, click here. Fill up the details, we will be in contact with you. Or you can contact us at 9685 7675 (Ai Ling) / 9828 7357 (Sean)

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2009 GCE O Level Examination Calendar (Tentative)

Written on February 11, 2009 by sean in Announcement

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Hello students taking O Levels in 2009,

whether you are:

School Candidates
Private Candidates

If you are looking around for more information on the 2009 GCE O Level Examination Calendar, here you have it.

The GCE O Level Examination dates for the main papers in Nov 2009, will only be announced end of this month (Feb 09).

I will update my blogposts regularly so that you receive the latest information in order to plan your time management strategy towards scoring the grades you truly deserve for O Levels.

Alternatively, you can also check out the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) website for latest news.

To Your Academic Success for O Levels,
Sean Chua
Master Trainer for Chemistry
WINNERS EDUCATION GROUP

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O Level Chemistry – Periodic Table Mini Series (Additional Video Tips)

Written on February 10, 2009 by sean in Chemistry Notes & Tips, Inspiration

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As a Chemistry student, the first few things that you need to know is definitely the position of elements in the Periodic Table. To anyone that come across chemistry in their lifes, the Periodic Table is likened to the “Bible of Chemistry” – you need to understand at least:

Position of Elements in Periodic Table
Definition of Group Numbers
Definition of Period
Atomic Number
Mass Number

All this have been discussed before in earlier posts, especially the Periodic Table Mini Series.

Many students that are new to Chemistry, must be feeling that Chemistry is such a boring abstract subject…In fact, Chemistry is very interesting if you know the concepts well.. and for Periodic Table, there is a video / song known as “The Element Song” by Tom Lehrer that has very high page views in Youtube.

Check this out:

Interesting yeah??!!??

And if you want to know how some of the elements really look like in everyday lifes, check out another awesome video below:

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O Level Chemistry: Excellent Positive Attitudes to Do Well

Written on February 8, 2009 by sean in Chemistry Coaching, Tips for Improvement

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For the last 2 weeks, we have been talking to many students and parents (as well as guardians) that would like to join our Chemistry and/or A-Math Ultimate Leap Programmes (weekly coaching programmes).

We realise one thing very common for many of them.. the attitudes to do well for upcoming GCE O Level Examinations is not there. Many are taking a “see how lor” attitudes..parents and students…

Perhaps it is just too too early?? Only Feb?? Still 8 months to go before their child sit for the qualifying GCE O Level Examinations??? If you are one that think that you (your child) still have lots of time, i need to tell you that you are seriously wrong about it.

It is time for you (or your child) to start getting all the concepts right, cos 2009 will just pass very fast. And it is time for them to build up an Excellent Positive Attitudes in their learning. If not, no matter what amount of Chemistry Tuition or Private Tutoring will not help them to score the marks they truly deserve.

There is a saying: “Once the student is ready, The teacher will appear”

Check out a VIDEO / Blogpost i made in Year 2007 HERE to address this concerns.

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O Level Chemistry – Periodic Table Mini Series (Part V)

Written on February 4, 2009 by sean in Chemistry Guidebooks, Chemistry Notes & Tips

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In the previous blogposts in this Periodic Table Mini Series, we have discussed on the common errors that students made when they are answering questions that are related to the Periodic Table. We have also discussed what the examiners want – i.e. what you need to write in order to score the full marks in that question. Hope you have benefited from the tips given. If you are looking for more of such “Student’s Common Errors Made” and “What Examiners Are Looking Out For in Exam”, you might want to check out Up Your Chemistry Grades Now! which was officially launched since last October, and have sold to more than 9 countries since.

Today, we will finish up Periodic Table Mini Series with an Examination Tips.

In Chemistry Exams, you are commonly being asked to predict the properties of an unknown element.

What you can do is to find the nearest element in the same group which you are familiar with. The unknown element will have almost the same properties as the familiar element.

Question:
For Barium (Ba),
(a) How would you expect it to react with cold water and what would you expect to be the pH of the solution produced?
(b) What would you expect to be the formula of its oxide?

Suggested Solution:
The nearest familiar element to Barium is Calcium. Thus:
(a) Just like calcium, it should react quickly with cold water and produce an alkaline solution with a strong pH, as well as liberation of Hydrogen Gas.
(b) BaO, just like we commonly have CaO (slaked lime)

This strategy always work when you encounter such questions in Chemistry Exams.

Hope you have been learning something in this mini series of Periodic Table.

Until the next post.

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