I'm super impressed with how well you're doing! But yeah, I can't even imagine how difficult it must be sitting and listening to lectures in a language other than my primary language. Even if using live captions/translations on my phone, I'd always feel a few seconds behind everyone else. So you're doing awesome. Keep at it!
Thank you so much! So far there have definitely been ups and downs, and I can really feel the language barrier hitting hard haha (on top of the difficult material itself), but I'm just going to take it one step at a time! Really appreciate your encouraging words :)
I would suggest two tips. First is to use AI like chatGPT to help you. It can really explain the concept well, and the translation is as good as or even better than Google translate. For those basic questions, chatGPT can do a pretty good job. The other tip is to take any chances to ask the teacher and your classmates. Attend the office hours, ask the class tutor, or even just ask anyone who sit next to you. I found this strategy was very useful. Honestly speaking Chinese textbooks are generally not well written and you may often find it difficult to understand. Teachers, tutors and your fellow classmates can help you learn that and close that gap! 加油
I 100% subscribe to that. Plus, I'd say you have to check whether you are struggling more with content words or function words. If it's content words (like: bond, reaction, base, etc.) then you should compile a personal dictionary. If it's function words, like prepositions or conjunctions, that is all those words that underlie the logical relationships within the sentence, then you should compile a phrasebook of those. Function words often need to be presented in conjunction with other words to make sense, and the details are usually blanked leaving a gap, so for example, to present 都, you would write something like: 每_(sub.)_都_(verb)_ .
Your cheerful disposition in facing challenges is inspiring. Do chat with chatGPT: it will switch between English and Chinese based on the language you use in asking questions. You can also ask follow-up questions. Good luck in acing the chemistry and other subjects!
best of luck! even in the us - the first month of college is really challenging in your native language just bc high schools teach such different curricula to what is expected for foundational knowledge
Chinese chemistry is translated from English textbook. So, buy a English Chemistry Textbook, study the chapter from English Chemistry book, then try to translate it into Chinese. U will learn Chemistry and Chinese chemistry faster.
Right now, u try to understand Chinese term before u try to understand the chemistry. If u stuck with the chinese term, u definitely cannot understand the chemistry. So, U must choose to try to understand the chemistry knowledge first (using whichever language u are familiar - in your case is English), and then, by translating them to Chinese, u will learn the Chinese chemistry term.
U cannot keep translating Chinese term into English. Reading one page and u need to translate so many times and so many sentences. And U will always doubt the accuracy of the translation. So, buying a English Chemistry textbook will solve this part.
So, if u cannot understand certain Chemistry subject in English, how could u understand it in Chinese. What i mean is, if u stuck in Chinese Chemistry, u won't know whether u don't understand the chemistry concept or u don't understand the Chinese term.
Your phone camera can translate paper, with real-time overlays of English. Google and Chat GPT are sometime reliable translators but they lie too; they can help in an emergency. These "techniques" prevent you from learning while at "introductory level" so avoid them as much as you can.
Chem instructor here. I bet everyone in your class is utterly confused. They just don't show it. That material is done around a third of the way in second semester general chemistry. You don't do that in the 3rd week of the first semester of the first year. Your teacher is teaching to impress. Hang in there. You'll do just fine.
That's unfortunately not the case. I think she'll be fine. But I bet at least 60% of the class are already very familiar with these materials in high school and I think I might even underestimated the number. And the teacher is definitely not teaching to impress. Many student cannot get into the Chemistry major at PKU even with a gold medal in Chemistry Olympiad. I struggled a lot at PKU, but the professors are generally very nice and they know their materials and exams are difficult, so they don't easily fail students.
Haha that's also possible. The class has definitely been pretty fast paced so far. I hope I get the hang of things soon! Thank you for your encouragement!
Hi Eve! I knew this would be a little disturbing, im the one that commented below to tell you I’m from BFSU and could take you to different places, and the WeChat ID your provided is invalid. But I really hope could make friends with you. I knew flying back to China all alone may be so so harsh and learn sth in a second language would be so challenging and traumatic. So I left my contact info in your questionnaire link since UA-cam is just kept blocking my wechat id! Hope you could receive it and hope we could go out in Beijing to be a little relieve from the study burden!
I'm super impressed with how well you're doing! But yeah, I can't even imagine how difficult it must be sitting and listening to lectures in a language other than my primary language. Even if using live captions/translations on my phone, I'd always feel a few seconds behind everyone else. So you're doing awesome. Keep at it!
Thank you so much! So far there have definitely been ups and downs, and I can really feel the language barrier hitting hard haha (on top of the difficult material itself), but I'm just going to take it one step at a time! Really appreciate your encouraging words :)
I would suggest two tips. First is to use AI like chatGPT to help you. It can really explain the concept well, and the translation is as good as or even better than Google translate. For those basic questions, chatGPT can do a pretty good job. The other tip is to take any chances to ask the teacher and your classmates. Attend the office hours, ask the class tutor, or even just ask anyone who sit next to you. I found this strategy was very useful. Honestly speaking Chinese textbooks are generally not well written and you may often find it difficult to understand. Teachers, tutors and your fellow classmates can help you learn that and close that gap! 加油
Those are great suggestions! I will definitely look into them! Thank you so much :)
I 100% subscribe to that. Plus, I'd say you have to check whether you are struggling more with content words or function words. If it's content words (like: bond, reaction, base, etc.) then you should compile a personal dictionary. If it's function words, like prepositions or conjunctions, that is all those words that underlie the logical relationships within the sentence, then you should compile a phrasebook of those. Function words often need to be presented in conjunction with other words to make sense, and the details are usually blanked leaving a gap, so for example, to present 都, you would write something like: 每_(sub.)_都_(verb)_ .
SO MUCH HARD WORK!!!!😭😭😭😭
It hasn't been easy haha
I really love your videos and your unfiltered thoughts!!
Ahh thank you so much!
Good luck. Your dedication is awesome.
Thank you!
Your cheerful disposition in facing challenges is inspiring. Do chat with chatGPT: it will switch between English and Chinese based on the language you use in asking questions. You can also ask follow-up questions. Good luck in acing the chemistry and other subjects!
Ahh thank you! Great suggestion! I'm definitely trying to explore different methods to help me learn faster :) Appreciate your support!
Your videos are an inspiration for me
Keep going and make more videos often....❤
aww tysm :)
Supporting you in your Beijing journey! Thanks for updating us, you are very studious 👩🏻🔬👩🏻💻
Thank you!! Of course :)
best of luck! even in the us - the first month of college is really challenging in your native language just bc high schools teach such different curricula to what is expected for foundational knowledge
True! Thank you for your encouragement!
Amazing ❤
Chinese chemistry is translated from English textbook. So, buy a English Chemistry Textbook, study the chapter from English Chemistry book, then try to translate it into Chinese. U will learn Chemistry and Chinese chemistry faster.
Right now, u try to understand Chinese term before u try to understand the chemistry. If u stuck with the chinese term, u definitely cannot understand the chemistry. So, U must choose to try to understand the chemistry knowledge first (using whichever language u are familiar - in your case is English), and then, by translating them to Chinese, u will learn the Chinese chemistry term.
Once, u understand the chemistry knowledge (using English), u will find reading Chinese chemistry make more sense.
U cannot keep translating Chinese term into English. Reading one page and u need to translate so many times and so many sentences. And U will always doubt the accuracy of the translation. So, buying a English Chemistry textbook will solve this part.
So, if u cannot understand certain Chemistry subject in English, how could u understand it in Chinese. What i mean is, if u stuck in Chinese Chemistry, u won't know whether u don't understand the chemistry concept or u don't understand the Chinese term.
That's a good idea! Thank you!
I am also exchange student in UIBE 对外经贸 😭.
Good luck to you in your journey to Beijing !
That's awesome! Thank you, and good luck to you too!
Your phone camera can translate paper, with real-time overlays of English. Google and Chat GPT are sometime reliable translators but they lie too; they can help in an emergency. These "techniques" prevent you from learning while at "introductory level" so avoid them as much as you can.
Good to know. Thank you!
Gosh I feel your pain
Chem instructor here. I bet everyone in your class is utterly confused. They just don't show it.
That material is done around a third of the way in second semester general chemistry. You don't do that in the 3rd week of the first semester of the first year. Your teacher is teaching to impress. Hang in there. You'll do just fine.
That's unfortunately not the case. I think she'll be fine. But I bet at least 60% of the class are already very familiar with these materials in high school and I think I might even underestimated the number. And the teacher is definitely not teaching to impress. Many student cannot get into the Chemistry major at PKU even with a gold medal in Chemistry Olympiad. I struggled a lot at PKU, but the professors are generally very nice and they know their materials and exams are difficult, so they don't easily fail students.
Haha that's also possible. The class has definitely been pretty fast paced so far. I hope I get the hang of things soon! Thank you for your encouragement!
Hi Eve!
I knew this would be a little disturbing, im the one that commented below to tell you I’m from BFSU and could take you to different places, and the WeChat ID your provided is invalid. But I really hope could make friends with you. I knew flying back to China all alone may be so so harsh and learn sth in a second language would be so challenging and traumatic. So I left my contact info in your questionnaire link since UA-cam is just kept blocking my wechat id! Hope you could receive it and hope we could go out in Beijing to be a little relieve from the study burden!
So sorry just saw this. I've been pretty busy these past two weeks. I'll check asap!
we learn the same book on chemistry
Oh wow that's cool!
Sounds like a lot of work. My Chinese isn’t bad but it’s not great either. Can’t imagine having to study chem in my 2nd language.
Haha yep it definitely has been a challenge
Are there Anki "flashcard" decks online for Chinese medical schools that might help with longer-term memory?
Hmm there might be! I'll look into that!
I mean STEM is pretty much universal regardless what language u speak, i thought it would struggle the least with science and math lol
Haha thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Did you take AP Chemistry at high school? If so, can it help a bit or the Chinese chem is way harder?
I did IB and took bio HL so only had one year of intro chem in 10th grade haha
What vpn do u use
What is the book name?
普通化学general chemistry
i thought they provide english courses for international students
It depends on the program!
Love the emoji, made me laugh thx