Normal lecture style, but does not explain concepts well, really just reads of the board. Midterms were not like practice exams, literally had questions about things we hadn't learned about yet. Final exam was nothing like the practice exams, completely different style of questions.

Not really a great lecturer at all. Very problem-based, she doesn't really run through concepts. DO THE PROBLEMS, and you'll get a better grade than I did.

She made funny jokes and gave lectures at a really good pace. She was always excited to help you if you showed up to office hours. Your grade is heavily based on the final and midterms, which sucks, but just study the practice tests she gives you, and you will be fine

I love Prof. Sylvester, she is hilarious. Her tests are fast paced and challenging. In the textbook there is a section called chemwork. Before the final do every single chemwork problem for every chapter bc they are like the final (for 1A). Do problems until you can't get them wrong, It will be hard but it is definitely doable.

Gen chem is just so hard. Prof Sylvester does a good job making lecture effective and also provides a ton of resources (practice tests and lecture recordings). I failed the first midterm, got a C on the second, and got a D on the final but ended up getting a B. This class is really hard without prior knowledge but it's doable with effort!

Chem 1A is a very hard class but I think Professor Sylvester does a really good job at teaching. Definitely do a lot of your own studying since the aleks homework doesn't reflect the kind of questions you will find on exams (book problems and practice exams are very helpful). I would definitely take her class again if I had to redo chem 1A.

shes so chill & accommodating. she makes her lectures fun but they do move fast so you'll have to self-study. her practice exams are past exams, so they'll help when studying. tests are very fast-paced (45 mins for 17 questions) and there are 2-3 questions that are extra difficult (but getting one question wrong is -6% each) so tests are a bit hard

Sylvester is great! Her lectures move fast but she breaks it up her sarcasm.Midterms are VERY similar to practice exams so just grind all those and lecture examples and you'll do fine. Got an A without doing any book problems just did all the practice exams and went to section and lectures. Final is HARD but the curve at the end is pretty good.

I loved her lectures because she explained concepts in a way that made sense and really tried to make people understand. It also felt like she cared and she seems so kind and nice. The midterms were really similar to the practice exams sometimes even like identical questions so make sure you do them. The final however I found very hard.

She's a great professor for chem 1A and gives you literally all the resources you need. I scored 100 on every exam in this class and I'd have to agree that the only way to do well is to make use of every resource given (book problems, practice exams, discussion...). Exams are very similar to class content + practice exams so take them seriously!

Sylvester teaches with real compassion and genuinely cares about her students. Her lectures move fast, so be ready to keep up. She's flexible with makeup exams. The class is tough, especially without AP experience. Do the practice tests. You'll need to teach yourself outside lecture to do well.

She was a good teacher sometimes taught too fast in lecture but it was a good class overall.

Super great prof. I took AP chem so it was review for me but she really loves what she is teaching. tests are all multiple choice and she posts tons of previous exams so STUDY those and you can easily get an A on both midterms. lowest midterm gets replaced by final score. has old lecture videos posted as well. doesn't go as in depth as other profs

she's nice and all but she doesn't teach very well and isn't afraid to test you on material not included in the lectures

She was honestly a great Chem 1A teacher. Tests are straightforward -- pretty much the practice exams. I didn't do any book problems and put minimal effort into the ALEKS, and still got 100 on all the tests. Just do the practice exams, and you will be fine.

this class is hard but all the information is there for you for tests. tests are like the practice tests. she moves quickly, even though attendance isn't mandatory you should go. definitely go to section and her office hours. do book problems, they are more helpful than aleks is. overall she is really sweet and funny and would take her class again.

Good teacher but lectures weren't very helpful. You have to do a lot of studying outside of class, just going to the lectures alone won't help you get a good grade.

Pretty difficult to get the concepts, she goes really fast. Tests are hard and there's aleks assignments every week. If you're good at chemistry already you'll be fine otherwise it's a little hard to keep up

Kind professor but fast and heavy course, easy to fall behind. Make sure to stay on top.

Had her for all three parts of the gen chem series. Lemme say this, she is a great professor and offers many resources however gen chem is just hard. You need to put in the effort to study at least 2-3 hours a day cranking out practice problems. She tries to trick you on exams but as long as you study and ask questions during lecture you'll be fine

difficult to understand lectures. you'll be fine if you put in enough effort though (i didn't)

Chem1A is hard in general, I think professor Sylvester made it slightly easier. Definitely need to attend lecture but you do have access to video lectures on each topic and practice exams to study. Usually a pretty heavy curve. Practice exams and problems are the only way to pass this class.

Took her for Chem 1A and 1B. Chill professor, nice lecture. Be ready to do Aleks (which is torturing, but the whole chem department use it...). She would provide tests in previous years on canvas for you to practice, just remember to do them cuz they are SO HELPFUL.

Best teacher I could have for chemistry