My school uses the Heinneman textbook for chemistry, but we also have the Edrolo subscription for the videos to consolidate what we learn in class. I've found the Heinneman textbook kinda confusing to study from since theres a lot of extra information and examples in the paragraphs, making it hard to figure out what to put in my notes. I use the Edrolo book for other subjects so maybe I'm just used to it, but I looked through the Edrolo chemistry book and I found it a lot simpler and easier to learn concepts from. Could I just use the Heinneman book to clarify concepts if the Edrolo book doesn't provide enough info, or would I be disadvantaging myself?
Heinneman textbook or Edrolo?
I would imagine that your teacher would be setting questions in Heinemann, so you'll need to read through all of the information anyway.
If you really want to use the Edrolo textbook, I suggest you read through the content before class, and not treat it as your main textbook.
Using Heinemann should be easy. All bolded words/terminology are VCAA-required, so prioritise understanding what those definitions are, as chances are you'll need to define them in the SAC. Ignore Case Study, ChemFiles; anything that seems extraneous. If you are taking any notes at all, record the information in the highlight box (a picture of it is in the preliminary pages) into your notebook. Read through the Chapter Review summary and go back through the pages to look for the information that explains that dot point, and then write it down in your notes if you need to memorise it.
Thanks for the tips!
Would you say the chapter summary dotpoints in the Heinneman book cover everything important from the chapter/everything I'll need to know to cover the study design and SACs? Or would I need to add the examples for concepts from the chapter's content to be properly studied?
Chemistry isn't my strong point, help is much appreciated lol
At the very beginning of each chapter will be the study design dotpoints that will be covered. You really aren’t missing out if you just use the chapter summary as your summary notes, but that’s not really important as much as actually doing the questions. You literally just have to do as many questions as possible, and if you get stuck, consult your notes or your teacher. I use my notebook to copy down questions I get wrong, or to memorise super important information like formulae and graphs, etc.
I have read through the extra information on the sides before, and they are not that helpful for SACs. Copying down example questions waste time because you need that time to learn how to do questions.