I wish to welcome you to the chemistry department. Chemistry is the basis for life.  Chemistry helps us to design drugs to fight diseases such as cancer and AIDS, pesticides to protect our crops, plastics to package food, and much more. Chemical changes are happening in our eyes, lungs, and blood. Your skin, bones, hair consist of chemical substances.  

To succeed in your study of chemistry, you need only the desire to learn and the willingness to work hard. In many ways learning a new subject is like learning to engage in a new sport or play a musical instrument. You will be tense at first, you will make mistakes, but by constant practice, you will develop new skills and self-confidence. Roald Hoffman, winner of the 1981 Nobel Prize for chemistry, said,

"I like the idea that human beings can do anything they want to. They need to be trained sometimes. They need a teacher to awaken the intelligence within them. But to be a chemist requires no special talent, I'm glad to say. Anyone can do it, with hard work."

While you are learning, do not be afraid of asking questions. Don't hesitate to get help from your professor, your classmates, and your friends. I hope you enjoy your course and wish you success.