Is this an easy A?
EasyA
84/100An A is very achievable with , and using study guides, but students still need steady effort.
Online and easy A potential, while in-person reviews stress attending class and asking questions.
The decision
Key questions
Is this an easy A?
An A is very achievable with attendance, staying current, and using study guides, but students still need steady effort.
Online reviews more clearly describe optional live attendance and easy A potential, while in-person reviews stress attending class and asking questions.
Is the course easy?
Chemistry is naturally challenging, but students say Ritsema makes it clear, manageable, and often straightforward.
Both formats say he makes chemistry understandable, though online summer pacing and in-person attendance demands can raise difficulty.
Is attendance flexible?
Online attendance can be optional, but in-person students repeatedly say attending class is vital for success.
Online evidence says attendance is not required, while in-person evidence strongly warns that skipping class hurts performance.
Is this professor recommended?
Students highly recommend him because he explains chemistry clearly, cares about students, and makes success realistic.
Both formats are strongly positive, though the online set includes one serious negative experience about flexibility during an emergency.
Course guide
Grading
Lenient
80/100
Students describe fair exams, extra credit, clear grading, open-note tests, and grading that is not tough.
Format shift
Online reviews cite extra credit and fair exams, while in-person reviews mention open-note tests, study guides, and not-tough grading.
Workload
Light
74/100
Homework and assignments are described as manageable, with multiple students saying he does not overload the class.
Format shift
Online reviews reward staying current, while in-person reviews describe very little homework or manageable assignments.
Teaching experience
Excellent
94/100
The dominant pattern is clear, patient, caring teaching that makes chemistry easier to learn.
Format shift
Both online and in-person reviews strongly support excellent teaching, with one online review describing a negative flexibility experience.
Assessment method
FocusOnExams
70/100
Reviews mention quizzes, three exams, study guides, homework, labs, and practice problems, with exams playing a major role.
Format shift
Online reviews mention quizzes, exams, homework, and extra credit, while in-person reviews add open-note quizzes and tests.
Luni fit check
Weigh these signals against your actual schedule.
Get help balancing workload, grading, and timing when no option is an obvious fit.
Course format
Classroom format
High confidence · Best fit for Beginner Friendly
In-person reviews strongly praise his clarity, patience, caring attitude, manageable workload, and fair exams.
Main concern
Students repeatedly say attendance is important because chemistry can move quickly or become confusing.
What students said
“Chemistry is a headache but he made it enjoyable”
“You MUST attend class! It is vital.”
Remote format
High confidence · Best fit for Effort For Reward
Online reviews mostly praise clear Zoom lectures, optional live participation, fair exams, extra credit, and strong support.
Main concern
Falling behind online can become difficult, and one review reports a harsh late-exam penalty.
What students said
“Attendance is not required, but if you can participate live, do so because he is excellent at explaining things until you get it.”
“If you stay up to date with assignments and reach out if you need it, you will get an easy A.”
Exam style
Exam evidence is generally student-friendly, with fair exams, strong study guides, enough time, and some open-note or take-home elements.
Assessment risk
StudentFriendly
83/100
Low score means less forgiving assessment conditions.
In-person reviews describe open-note quizzes and tests, enough exam time, and study guides that closely match exams.
“Quizzes and tests were open note and not very difficult.”
“He gives enough time for exams so you don't get test anxiety.”
Online reviews describe fair or great exams but do not clearly prove webcam, proctoring, Lockdown Browser, or open-book policy.
“great exams and great in-lecture practice problems.”
“his exams are fair, as is the amount of homework.”
Student evidence
Top student voice
“Take. This. Professor.”
“He explains everything in great detail and is available if you need extra time to clarify something.”
“I couldn't recommend this professor enough.”
“If you stay up to date with assignments and reach out if you need it, you will get an easy A.”
Theme 1
Theme 2
Theme 3
Data context
Analysis sample
24
Recent reviews read by the AI
23
Lifetime ratings
95/100
Evidence confidence
Twenty-four reviews span many years, include both formats, and are highly consistent with rich detail despite one negative outlier.
Inside 24 stored ratings
Reported outcomes
18 reported outcomes
A+ 5 · A 9 · A- 1
B+ 2
C- 1
No reported values
No reported values
No reported values