I think I can, I think I can, I know I can: What do students feel is important for successful transition into undergraduate chemistry?

This paper investigates students’ perception of their own readiness for undergraduate chemistry study. The results highlight that students with prior knowledge in chemistry, and to a lesser extent mathematics, believe that they are more ready to study than those who do not have prior knowledge in these areas. Overall, the data indicates that less than half of the students surveyed felt they were ready to study chemistry. This percentage readiness is increased up to 70% when considering students who have undertaken any prior study in chemistry. This research demonstrates the importance of requiring, or at least recommending, prior study in chemistry to ensure that students are comfortable with their own readiness for first year undergraduate chemistry study.