For your consideration:
Chemistry is not torture but instead the amazing and beautiful science of stuff, and if you give it a chance, it will not only blow your mind but also give you a deeper understanding of your world.
– Hank Green
My initial perception of chemistry differed significantly from Hank Green’s. My unfortunate experience with Dr. Bill Sagar’s Organic I course and his synthesis lab at Centre College in the late 1970s was responsible for this perspective. I would have preferred a novocaine-free wisdom tooth extraction to repeating that freshman year course. The sheer volume of material on his exams, coupled with my inability to memorize and regurgitate facts, proved overwhelming. Furthermore, I found the compound syntheses in the lab impossible. While I excel at instrumental lab activities and compound extractions, Dr. Sagar’s lab experience was so disheartening that it nearly destroyed my desire for any further lab courses at Centre. Ultimately, that single course, in which I received a “D,” sealed my fate as a pre-med major.
A year later, Dr. John Walkup, who was the Chair of the Chemistry Division, and would become my mentor, presented a holistic view of chemistry in his courses. He emphasized the habits, traits, and skills crucial to be successful as a chemist. His approach inspired in me an appreciation and passion for chemistry in all areas, from Organic II (yes, I enrolled in and survived a second year of Organic, this time I got a “B”) to Physical Chemistry (a stunning blend of math and chemistry) and Instrumental Chemistry (which became my true love). We explored not just the how but also why reactions occurred, but also their application, their importance in different field of chemistry. We were taught to “think’ like a chemist, the importance of observation – recognizing strengths and weaknesses of a chemical process, then identifying the possible sources of error in our analyses.
After 35-plus years in various fields of chemistry, I strongly recommend to student pursuing a chemistry major or a broader STEM career that I tutor, to maintain an open mind throughout their science coursework. It will not always be an easy path to follow. You will encounter challenges, and there will be days when switching to business management or accounting might seem appealing. However, persevere. Have faith in yourself. Seek out mentors, engage with your professors, learn their office hours, and visit frequently. While it may now always seem like it, I can assure you that chemistry is a beautiful field of study. It is both an art and a science, inviting you to experience the wonder and awe of the world around you.
