If you have not heard about “Susan Boyle” yet, i trust you will be very glad to read about this blogpost. Her video in YouTube has been viewed more than 25 millions time (that is 25,000,000 ++ times) after it has been posted just 7 days ago! A day ago when i watched it @ 1am in morning, i had “goose pimples” and my body was shivering…when i watched the 2nd and 3rd time, the effect was still electrifying! Simply Awesome!
Yesterday, i showed it to my O Levels Sec 4 Chemistry Class and i trust many have been overwhelmed by Susan’s performance and belief system. None of them were skeptical or cynical about plain-jane Susan. In fact couple of them ask me about the name of “Susan Boyle” so they can share with friends and family.
Many of my friends (many from the Research Chemical Industry) and students always asked me this question when they see me:
“What Keeps You Continuously & Religiously Blogging About Chemistry Tips, Phenomenons & Exam Strategies?”
“Why don’t you spend your time coaching more students through more classes and workshops?”
“Don’t you feel tired committing your time to stay in front of computer to blog so regularly?” etc…
Very good questions they asked..Yes..there are times i was contemplating to stop blogging so religiously..especially whenever i received Negative Comments and Abuses from some readers negative chaps out there….not sure their purpose thou…
Over the last 12 years, I have helped many students on 1-on-1 Customized Coaching, Small Group Coaching, Concepts Classes, Topic-based Mastery Workshops and Intensive Revision Bootcamps. The size gets bigger and bigger and i am helping more and more students..but there is still this thing known as Size-Constraint and Geographical-Constraint.
Without this Chemistry Blogsite, i will not be able to realise my goals of reaching out to ALLChemistry Students and helping them globally…i suppose the internet (via blog) is one of the best platform i can do so.
Besides that, there are also many encouragements that i received from readers of this blog: parents, students, educators, scientists, researchers, etc..and whenever i received such Positive Comments from them, it is always the HIGHLIGHT of my day.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those that have sent me encouraging words for the last 3 months (Jan – March 09):
Dear Sean Chua,
Thank you very much but unfortunately I am unable to attend the workshop. It becomes difficult for me to come due to transport fares from Uganda to that end. I appreciate for the efforts you have so far made (in your blog) to make my daughter pass CHEM!!
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.
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:
In less than a week time, all Chinese worldwide celebrates the brand new lunar year!
I would like to take this chance to wish you and your loved ones a prosperous new year.
Better grades, better health, better relationship, better experiences and more importantly
a better you for this brand new year!
It is said that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. If you have been following this chemistry blogsite for awhile, you are obviously ready to take the next step in your own personal evolution in academic success in Chemistry.
You are ready to begin deliberately creating and receiving more of what you really want in your life, starting with your academic pursuits in Chemistry.
Recently, a parent called up and asked told me that her daughter has signed up for a 8 days intensive revision program at a tuition centre in the west side of Singapore, but her daughter pulled out after just attended only 3 sessions, even thought they have paid the full sum already. After analysis with her, i realised that there are 2 possible reasons:
1) Daughter has not studied Mole Calculations before in school, but the tuition centre go straight into depth of Mole Calculations, neglecting all the basics.
2) Daughter is not mentally ready to learn something that is new to her (while the peers in the class has gone through the topic before)
It will be either or both of the above reasons – but what i want to emphasize is that in coaching, MOTIVATION is a big big thing. It is in fact crucial for the student to feel motivated to achieve academic grades that she desire – since she will have the energy and focus to work towards it.
With these, i will be sharing a series of MOTIVATIONAL VIDEO CLIPS with you. Some of you might have watched it before, but it would benefit you watching it again, isnt it?
FACING THE GIANTS:
PS: Let me know your thoughts on it. All comments are welcome.
