Ruben Savizky

As someone who did chemistry olympiad and took advanced chem classes in high school, this course was almost too trivial for me. However, there are certain observations I would like to note about this course. First, the content that Professor Savizky structures and teaches is extremely reasonable and logically structured for a general introduction to chemistry. I personally didn't find his slides that useful and detailed enough, however, so I recommend reading the Zumdahl textbook. He also posts the relevant chapter numbers to read (I suggest you read ALL of these chapters (make sure you have the correct edition)). Grading was lowkey pretty fair, the cutoff for A+ for spring 2026 was 95%, which is definitely doable as he dropped the lowest of 3 midterm and also the lowest 2 Aktiv assignments. The recitation quizzes are also very easy.

Coming into this class, I expected it to be difficult, and it definitely was. For context, I didn't attend a highly rigorous STEM high school, so I felt a bit unprepared for the intensity of the exams. Even with the background knowledge from taking AP Chemistry (I scored a 3, so I hadn't fully mastered the material), the course was still a major challenge. The exams often focused heavily on exceptions to rules rather than just the general content, which made studying much more stressful. To succeed in this course, I highly recommend reading the textbook before each lecture, using class time as a refresher, and then immediately diving into practice problems. Focus on applying the concepts rather than just memorizing them. I didn't find the professor's office hours very helpful, as he tended to mumble and was difficult to hear. However, the TAs were incredibly helpful at explaining the trickier concepts. Additionally, the strict grading curve—where only about 33% of the class can earn an A or A- —creates a competitive and stressful environment. Your grade reflects how you perform relative to your peers rather than just your individual understanding. On the bright side, the curve can be a safety net to help you pass the course if you are struggling. Ultimately, staying consistent by studying every day or two and doing all the practice tests is key to doing well.

Amazing amazing professor. He really cares about his students, he's funny and is always available for office hours. His lectures are helpful, so yes, attend them. However, they are not enough to prepare you for the 3 midterms and the final. you NEED the textbook. With the textbook coupled with his lectures, you are set up for success if you do the homework properly. His midterms are not particularly challenging - if you read the textbook, go to lecture and essentially do what is required of you, you will be fine. It is Gen Chem 1 so it's not supposed to be a breeze and you got to take it. If you can, take it with him!

The chemistry department at this school is honestly not the best. Every time people ask me for professor recommendations, I always have to tell them to choose their poison. Savizky, unfortunately, is one of those professors that reads off the slides, is difficult to hear (despite being able to use a microphone), and does not provide real teaching guidance. I wish there was at least a decent Gen Chem I professor.

We reviewed a lot of the topics from class in preparation for exams!

She is the worst TA out of all of the TAs. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2023 Course: CHEMUN1407_002_2023_3-GENERALCHEMISTRYI-REC : CHEMUN1407_002_2023_3 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY I - REC Instructor: Xavier Roy

I learned a lot about electrochemitry and redox reactions, since I had not learned much about these topics before.

Nice professor, very responsive to emails, funny in OH, lectures pretty dry given the content is pretty dry so never went to class (just rewatched lecture recordings). Don't think this class is too bad at all, A is very doable. Recommend doing as many problems as reasonable, and to know the exceptions to the rule (very easy to figure those out eg. electron configuration). Recommend taking all exams even if you do well on two exams. Recommend doing homework problems, and the practice exams.

He puts "trick" questions on every test and midterm which separates the "A range" students from everyone else. I got an A, but I also had to train myself to second guess all of my midterm and final answers. Also kind of snarky responding to certain questions in class.

He is not as bad as the other comments make him seem, genuinely. He's really nice in office hours and will take the time to explain the confusing concepts. That being said, he is a bit sarcastic, so if you don't like that, then avoid his office hours. But the sarcasm isn't very rude, and it's easy to ignore. He records his lectures and posts all his notes online along with past exams. He goes very slowly in the lecture and takes the time to ask if there are questions after each slide, and offers examples for the confusing concepts. The TAs are very helpful. That being said, the concepts are a bit hard. And with the class taking place at 6 pm, be prepared for post-grads to be in the class and ruin the curve for everyone. Do his Aktiv practice questions and try to read the various textbooks he assigns, but even then, I don't know if that will help you for the exams. His section is known to have a lower average than other sections, but what he covers also isn't as bad as other sections. I'd say the hardest thing to learn is near the end of the semester with crystalline solids, since you are learning them like a week before the final. He likes to put questions in the test that separate you from the A range, and some of the questions can range from things you haven't before to something he mentioned once in a lecture. I liked him as a professor and would say he's not that bad, espe…