How important is it to memorize the periodic table of elements?

I'm taking a college chemistry course next quarter and I want to know If i should memorize the periodic table. (someone told me it was essential and I don't believe them)



Id prefer an answer from someone who acutally knows what they are talking about.How important is it to memorize the periodic table of elements?
Hi,



No, it's not essential. But you probably will be expected to know the chemical abbreviations for all the elements, and you should know that metals are generally on the left and center, with nonmetals towards the upper right. Don't waste your time memorizing atomic weights (although you should know that the atomic weight of carbon is around 12, oxygen is around 16, and hydrogen is around 1. And professors typically expect that you spell the elements correctly. Trust me, this isn't a big deal. A lot of elements you already know, such as oxygen, hydrogen, chlorine, carbon, and iron. Fluorine might be a problem. Just remember that the u comes before the o. Professors typically won't ask about the ';';pathological'; elements, unless he or she is a sadist.



It will be cool, trust me. The thing you DO have to do is the homework, as professors invariably ask questions related to the problem sets that they give.



James :-)How important is it to memorize the periodic table of elements?
Can't you just look at it?



Why memorize it?
If I had a dollar for each time I was held at gunpoint and forced to recite all elements in order to save my life....
well...you dont have to memorize it, but it does help if you do. doing a lot of exercises helps wit h memorizing. but im not really sure coz im only in high school. maybe its different.
it is not that really necessary to memorize all what is written in the periodic table but just familiarize it because it may help you know the different properties of elements and knowing the properties of elements can really boost your mind and your confidence in chemistry knowing that you are not a fool regarding the periodic table of elements' properties and characteristics...