PAL is a series of free, collaborative twice-weekly review sessions open to all students enrolled in CHEM 181: Atoms & Molecules, and CHEM 221: Organic Chemistry 1.
The sessions are led by Peer Assistance Leaders (PALs), strong chemistry students who have previously taken and succeeded in the course. Your PAL will help answer your questions about course material and challenge you to work with other students to practice learning strategies designed to help you succeed in chemistry.
Schedule |
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| Section | PALs | Session Times | Location |
| Professor Farrell | Caroline & Matthew C. | Sundays 5-6pm & Tuesdays 7-8pm | Smith Labs 255 |
| Professor Isaacs | Dan & Andrea | Sundays & Wednesdays, 7-8pm | Smith Labs 259 |
| Professor Linton | Hannah & James | Sundays & Thursdays, 7-8pm | Smith Labs 255 |
| Professor Sculimbrene | Matthew L. & Sumner | Sundays 5-6pm & Tuesdays 6-7pm | Smith Labs 259 |
Meet the PALs
Name: Abby McCarthy '18
Hometown: St. John's, Newfoundland
Academic Services PAL & STEM+E Workshop Intern
What is the most important advice you would give students taking CHEM 181 and 221? Stay on top of your work throughout the semester and take advantage of all the resources you have access to!
Why should students come to PAL sessions? I would encourage students to come to PAL sessions to engage with their class material in a new way and get some tips from someone who has already been through the chemistry sequence.
Name: Andrea Bucknam '20
Hometown: Wethersfield, CT
CHEM 221 PAL for Professor Petty
What is the most important advice you would give students taking CHEM 221? You are capable of succeeding in this course. It will be challenging, and require a lot of effort, but choosing to commit to learning the material and taking advantage of all resources provided will inevitably yield success.
Why should students come to PAL sessions? My PAL sessions will make the most out of each 1-hour time lot. Students will see improvement in their confidence, and hopefully their skills, for the course as a whole and on specific material. A helpful strategy I use myself in chemistry classes is reviewing for each exam as if it is cumulative. Of course, the focus is the current material, but this prevents the bad habit of letting old material collect dust. Applying current material to previously-learned concepts will help students see chemistry as their professors do, as a subject, not a series of exams (while still providing long-term confidence for midterm and final exams).
Name: Matthew Cummings '20
Hometown: Boston, MA
CHEM 181 PAL for Professor Farrell
What is the most important advice you would give students taking CHEM 181? Read the textbook, don't be afraid to ask questions that seem like they have obvious, and be confident in yourself.
Why should students come to PAL sessions? I understand what it feels like to doubt oneself. PAL can provide the tools and resources to help give students gain the confidence they need to have in order to be successful in chemistry.
Name: James Gould '20
Hometown: Long Island, NY
CHEM 221 PAL for Professor Linton
What is the most important advice you would give students taking CHEM 221? The most important thing I would say for students taking CHEM 221 is to be diligent when studying concepts. CHEM 221 builds a foundation for the remainder of the chemistry courses moving forward and having a good grasp of the basic concepts will prepare you to succeed later on with continued hard work.
Why should students come to PAL sessions? Students should come to my PAL sessions as a way to further their studying and gauge their understanding of the material so they know what they need to study more moving forward.
Name: Matthew Lowe '20
Hometown: Spring, TX
CHEM 221 PAL for Professor Sculimbrene
What is the most important advice you would give students taking CHEM 221? Study your notes right after class and make flashcards. "Future You" will appreciate it.
Why should students come to PAL sessions? I'm ready and eager to tackle those "what if" questions that curious students have.
Name: Dan McLoughlin '18
Hometown: Baldwin, MD
CHEM 221 PAL for Professor Isaacs
What is the most important advice you would give students taking CHEM 221? Get a jump on the material as early as you can. The quicker you understand the basic concepts, the easier the more complicated reactions will be.
Why should students come to PAL sessions? PAL sessions give students the opportunity to work together, see new perspectives on how to approach problems, and ultimately get more out of an hour of studying Orgo than they would have otherwise.
Name: Hannah Miksenas '20
Hometown: Burlington, MA
CHEM 221 PAL for Professor Linton
What is the most important advice you would give students taking CHEM 221? Go to office hours with any question you may have because it is a great way to check your understanding of the material.
Why should students come to PAL sessions? I am dedicated to taking the time to help the students understand the material and I will encourage the importance of practice problems and asking questions when needed.
Name: Sumner Moore '20
Hometown: Temple, TX
CHEM 221 PAL for Professor Sculimbrene
What is the most important advice you would give students taking CHEM 221? It's important to keep up with the material. You'll do so much better in the class if you take an hour each day to study, rather than beginning to study a few days before the tests.
Why should students come to PAL sessions? Learning Orgo with your friends is helpful and fun! Sometimes you need to see other people's perspectives on problems in order to gain a greater understanding of the material.
Name: Caroline Roy '19
Hometown: Holliston, MA
CHEM 181 PAL for Professor Farrell
What is the most important advice you would give students taking CHEM 181? Go to office hours!! Reaching out to your professors is crucial to doing well in college courses.
Why should students come to PAL sessions? PAL sessions are beneficial because they give students an opportunity to have a structured place to practice material outside of class. It also allows students to get to know the other people in their class, making it easier to form study groups.