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Struggled with OChem—Looking for Advice to Improve?
Hi everyone, I unfortunately didn’t pass Organic Chemistry despite asking for leniency, which I wasn’t able to get. Now I’m preparing to retake the course and would love advice on how to do better.
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5 answers
Updated
Angel’s Answer
To improve in Organic Chemistry, focus on mastering the basics—naming, functional groups, and reactions. Practice problems daily, and don’t just memorize reactions—understand their mechanisms. Use visual aids like molecular models or reaction diagrams. Regularly review material, seek help from professors/TAs, and form study groups for collaborative learning.
Well said !!! I saw understanding *** reaction mechanisms *** as the key throughout the entire class.
Perry Zuckerman
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Angel,
Only you know what tripped you up. So only you know what you need to do differently (just saying that because you have a lot of education ahead of you. You need to start now to be able to recognize when your grade begins to slide, the causes, and things you can do to correct the way it's going.)
For any college class, you need to stay current with reading and labs. Make REAL sure to take this particular class at a time of day when you are most alert. This varies from person to person. Do NOT rely on teacher-provided notes (if any) covering the class. Take your own notes. It helps to reinforce the material. Compare these notes to the teacher's notes, blend them together, resolve any discrepancies. And, do this within a day after the class. Use whatever resources the college provides. Use on-line learning videos. The more visual, the better.
Learn to "compartmentalize." Do not think about personal problems while at school! Not easy to do, but, you did identify this previously as a factor affecting your studies.
Don't take a whole lot of other challenging classes. You already know what this class will be like, so, don't load up your schedule!
I do believe you learned a lot from this one experience. So, in that regard, it was good to learn to deal with this now rather than wait for medical school for your first difficult class! Best of luck, and, thanks for the update!
Only you know what tripped you up. So only you know what you need to do differently (just saying that because you have a lot of education ahead of you. You need to start now to be able to recognize when your grade begins to slide, the causes, and things you can do to correct the way it's going.)
For any college class, you need to stay current with reading and labs. Make REAL sure to take this particular class at a time of day when you are most alert. This varies from person to person. Do NOT rely on teacher-provided notes (if any) covering the class. Take your own notes. It helps to reinforce the material. Compare these notes to the teacher's notes, blend them together, resolve any discrepancies. And, do this within a day after the class. Use whatever resources the college provides. Use on-line learning videos. The more visual, the better.
Learn to "compartmentalize." Do not think about personal problems while at school! Not easy to do, but, you did identify this previously as a factor affecting your studies.
Don't take a whole lot of other challenging classes. You already know what this class will be like, so, don't load up your schedule!
I do believe you learned a lot from this one experience. So, in that regard, it was good to learn to deal with this now rather than wait for medical school for your first difficult class! Best of luck, and, thanks for the update!
Updated
Perry’s Answer
Hello Angel,
"Organic Chemistry was an easy class". Said no one, ever.
I took Organic Chemistry in 1978. Been there, done that.
I want to repeat, quote, and underscore two excellent points made by others here above:
ONE: Reaction Mechanisms !
" ... don’t just memorize reactions—understand their mechanisms."
Words of wisdom. Understanding reaction mechanisms was my conceptual key throughout the entire class. This was my ad nauseum mantra to myself and friends in the class [who agreed]. Always crucial, knowing and using reaction mechanisms will be especially so when you have Synthesis problems on an exam.
TWO: Take your own notes !
"Do NOT rely on teacher-class provided notes (if any) covering the class. Take your own notes."
More words of wisdom. Then, go over your notes for the whole class later that day. Next day at the latest! If you can think of a higher priority for 2 days in a row, please share it with us. Falling behind is grade-suicide in college; let others do it. Now, make sure you understand your notes, and if not, go to the professor's office hours. [TAs are great, if you have them. For the purposes of your introductory class, these graduate students know the material as well as the professor.] But that's not enough. Here's the kicker: this may sound crazy, but also MEMORIZE your notes for the day. This alone may take a couple of hours for each lecture, but again, if you have a more important way to spend your time, we're all ears. And as you review [you will of course] for midterms and the final, not only again go over every page of your notes that apply to that exam, making sure of course that you understand it all, again make sure that you have it all MEMORIZED.
Now, some other points:
I was personally not a fan of studying or even looking at past exams. I never did. In any class. Could mislead you on what is important, what will be tested, and will consume precious time. They definitely will never cover all that needs to be known. I always said that if I have the material mastered, my exams would take care of themselves. I always walked into exams supremely confident that I was more than ready. Confidence is important too. But others [including one of my sons] disagree - their studying included past exams - maybe others can teach you how to properly utilize them.
Now, this doesn't mean that life completely stops [don't let it or you won't make it through the class]; you may still have time for a Friday or Saturday night party, friends, or date. Maybe a couple of short emails or phone calls during the week [< 30 minutes - sorry].
Get plenty of sleep ! Eat right. Stay hydrated. Cardiovascular exercise for maybe a half-hour 2-4 times a week. Remember, been there done that.
And all of this applies to Biochemistry. [Which is not quite as hard as Organic Chemistry.]
By the way, these pieces of advice do not negate or replace other advice given above .
For all of this, find your own way.
Hope this helps,
Perry
"Organic Chemistry was an easy class". Said no one, ever.
I took Organic Chemistry in 1978. Been there, done that.
I want to repeat, quote, and underscore two excellent points made by others here above:
ONE: Reaction Mechanisms !
" ... don’t just memorize reactions—understand their mechanisms."
Words of wisdom. Understanding reaction mechanisms was my conceptual key throughout the entire class. This was my ad nauseum mantra to myself and friends in the class [who agreed]. Always crucial, knowing and using reaction mechanisms will be especially so when you have Synthesis problems on an exam.
TWO: Take your own notes !
"Do NOT rely on teacher-class provided notes (if any) covering the class. Take your own notes."
More words of wisdom. Then, go over your notes for the whole class later that day. Next day at the latest! If you can think of a higher priority for 2 days in a row, please share it with us. Falling behind is grade-suicide in college; let others do it. Now, make sure you understand your notes, and if not, go to the professor's office hours. [TAs are great, if you have them. For the purposes of your introductory class, these graduate students know the material as well as the professor.] But that's not enough. Here's the kicker: this may sound crazy, but also MEMORIZE your notes for the day. This alone may take a couple of hours for each lecture, but again, if you have a more important way to spend your time, we're all ears. And as you review [you will of course] for midterms and the final, not only again go over every page of your notes that apply to that exam, making sure of course that you understand it all, again make sure that you have it all MEMORIZED.
Now, some other points:
I was personally not a fan of studying or even looking at past exams. I never did. In any class. Could mislead you on what is important, what will be tested, and will consume precious time. They definitely will never cover all that needs to be known. I always said that if I have the material mastered, my exams would take care of themselves. I always walked into exams supremely confident that I was more than ready. Confidence is important too. But others [including one of my sons] disagree - their studying included past exams - maybe others can teach you how to properly utilize them.
Now, this doesn't mean that life completely stops [don't let it or you won't make it through the class]; you may still have time for a Friday or Saturday night party, friends, or date. Maybe a couple of short emails or phone calls during the week [< 30 minutes - sorry].
Get plenty of sleep ! Eat right. Stay hydrated. Cardiovascular exercise for maybe a half-hour 2-4 times a week. Remember, been there done that.
And all of this applies to Biochemistry. [Which is not quite as hard as Organic Chemistry.]
By the way, these pieces of advice do not negate or replace other advice given above .
For all of this, find your own way.
Hope this helps,
Perry
Updated
Kathleen’s Answer
Hi, Angel. Unfortunately I didn't do well in Organic Chem (53 years ago!) but I did pass. I think your best option for that is finding a tutor along with diligent study upon repeating the course. You're familiar with the subject now, and that should be of some help. With regard to classes at community college, just be sure the credits will transfer bwtween the cc and the university you plan to attend. It won't matter where you took the course but that it transferred and you passed it. The GPA will matter, as will extracurricular activities and experience. There are many rewarding careers in Healthcare, so don't despair if your plan gets altered along the way. Take note of what you enjoy and do well and let that be your guide.
Best to you!
Best to you!
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Angel,
First of all, kudos to you for facing the challenge head-on and preparing to retake Organic Chemistry—that takes courage and determination! OChem is tough, and many students struggle with it, so you’re definitely not alone. Here are some tips that might help you succeed this time:
1. Review the Basics: Strong foundations in general chemistry are essential. Take some time before the course starts to revisit key topics like bonding, resonance, acid-base chemistry, and reaction mechanisms.
2. Stay Consistent: OChem builds on itself, so falling behind can make it hard to catch up. Set aside time every day to review concepts, even if it’s just 30 minutes.
3. Practice, Practice, Practice: The best way to learn Organic Chemistry is by doing problems. Work through as many practice problems as you can, focusing on understanding the "why" behind each step. Textbooks, study guides, and online resources like Khan Academy or YouTube can be lifesavers.
4. Use Visual Aids: Organic Chemistry is highly visual. Use molecular model kits to visualize structures, mechanisms, and stereochemistry. Drawing mechanisms and reactions out step by step is also incredibly helpful.
5. Form a Study Group: Working with others can help you see different perspectives and reinforce your learning. Teaching a concept to someone else is one of the best ways to master it yourself.
6. Office Hours and Tutoring: Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Professors and TAs are there to support you, and many schools offer free tutoring services. Take full advantage of these resources.
7. Active Learning: Don’t just passively read or watch videos—engage with the material. Summarize concepts in your own words, create flashcards, and quiz yourself regularly.
8. Take Care of Yourself: OChem can be overwhelming, but self-care is key. Stay organized, eat well, get enough sleep, and manage stress so you can focus better.
Lastly, remember that failing once doesn’t define your abilities or your future success. You’re already ahead by learning from this experience and preparing for a stronger second attempt. You’ve got this!
Best wishes!
First of all, kudos to you for facing the challenge head-on and preparing to retake Organic Chemistry—that takes courage and determination! OChem is tough, and many students struggle with it, so you’re definitely not alone. Here are some tips that might help you succeed this time:
1. Review the Basics: Strong foundations in general chemistry are essential. Take some time before the course starts to revisit key topics like bonding, resonance, acid-base chemistry, and reaction mechanisms.
2. Stay Consistent: OChem builds on itself, so falling behind can make it hard to catch up. Set aside time every day to review concepts, even if it’s just 30 minutes.
3. Practice, Practice, Practice: The best way to learn Organic Chemistry is by doing problems. Work through as many practice problems as you can, focusing on understanding the "why" behind each step. Textbooks, study guides, and online resources like Khan Academy or YouTube can be lifesavers.
4. Use Visual Aids: Organic Chemistry is highly visual. Use molecular model kits to visualize structures, mechanisms, and stereochemistry. Drawing mechanisms and reactions out step by step is also incredibly helpful.
5. Form a Study Group: Working with others can help you see different perspectives and reinforce your learning. Teaching a concept to someone else is one of the best ways to master it yourself.
6. Office Hours and Tutoring: Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Professors and TAs are there to support you, and many schools offer free tutoring services. Take full advantage of these resources.
7. Active Learning: Don’t just passively read or watch videos—engage with the material. Summarize concepts in your own words, create flashcards, and quiz yourself regularly.
8. Take Care of Yourself: OChem can be overwhelming, but self-care is key. Stay organized, eat well, get enough sleep, and manage stress so you can focus better.
Lastly, remember that failing once doesn’t define your abilities or your future success. You’re already ahead by learning from this experience and preparing for a stronger second attempt. You’ve got this!
Best wishes!