periodic table of elements: headache or amusement
By katkat
@katkat (2378)
Philippines
April 17, 2009 10:50am CST
I've just respond to a post and it reminds me of my chemistry class. At that time I have to memorize the periodic table of elements(just the atomic no. and family). I thought I wouldn't be able to memorize it but I did. I'm so glad that I did because the following day I ace the exam.
Many of my classmates failed. I guess they didn't take our teacher seriously that we have to memorize the periodic table. For a while I thought she's just bluffing but then what if she's not. I wanted to be sure so I've chose to have headache by memorizing all of it.
Finally it's over. I'm so glad I don't have to do it again ever. Did you memorize it or by just looking at it made you dizzy?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
17 Apr 09
You were wise to memorize it and take your teacher seriously. I never had a teacher who expected us to memorize it. It would have been an easy thing for me. I was always good at rote memorization like that.
@katkat (2378)
• Philippines
18 Apr 09
I've learned about mnemonics, it will help you memorize a list by taking the initials of each word to form a new word. Thus, each time you think of the first letter of that word, it will be easier for you to recall a certain word.
I think you enjoy memorizing things and that's a good way to exercise your brain or perhaps you have an eidetic imagery/photographic memory.
Keep it up.
@firstsite2008 (392)
• India
17 Apr 09
I don't get the point of memorizing the periodic table. Why there is a need when we have it already(hehehe).
Well during my exams I had to memorize the non-metals columns due to periodicity of the properties of non-metals.We had a number of tricks of memorizing it(which I don't remember now) and thus I had no difficulty in memorizing it.I just learned some sections of the periodic table and not whole one.
Now I am in college and i am glad of leaving organic chemistry but I do love the physical chemistry. It seems so much interesting to me now also.
You put up a very good question and I was reminded of my school days. Thanks for it.
@katkat (2378)
• Philippines
18 Apr 09
Me neither, at that time all I want is to pass the exam. I like chemistry but I didn't expect that she would force us to memorize it. Why do we have to memorize when we could just look it up on the table!
I could no longer recall it but our teacher teaches us something that I will never forget. When we set our heart and mind into something, nothing is impossible and patience is really a virtue.
I'm just wondering if she continue that task till this day, good luck to her new students and thanks to our teacher.
@DavidReedy (2378)
• United States
19 Aug 09
I kind of envy people who understand chemistry. To put it in perspective, I'm working on my master's degree now, but the last time I encountered a chemistry class was sophomore or junior year in high school I barely passed the first semester and miserably failed the second. I could not figure out, for the life of me, how to balance equations--it seemed so random. (Shrug).
DR...
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
19 Apr 09
Hello katkat,
I left school about 20 years ago and you made me remember the 'horrible' table. I had to remember those elements as my chemistry teacher loved to give us quiz on that and sometimes asked related question in our monthly test. Honestly, I didn't like it but had to remember everything to pass the exam - just in case the teacher would love to make it harder for us to score again!
