Memorization in OChem
Started by korndoctor
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R
R.P. McMurphy
korndoctor said:
it's a combination of both. If you just try to memorize all the reactions, your going to get lost. If you just try to "understand mechanisms" your going to get the exceptions to the rules wrong. You just need to try to understand mechanisms well and fully memorize the "classic" reactions like Diels Alder, Stork-Enamine........and the list goes on.
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I'm thinking of selling my 3-inch-thick stack of reaction notecards from o-chem 1 and 2 on ebay. Not to scare you 😀
Eh, I'd have to say there's a good combination of memorization and seeing the big picture- certain reactions you just have to memorize, but notecards are a great technique for that. A lot of the time, though, there are general concepts that apply to a huge host of reactions which really cuts down on the memorization. Don't worry too much!
Eh, I'd have to say there's a good combination of memorization and seeing the big picture- certain reactions you just have to memorize, but notecards are a great technique for that. A lot of the time, though, there are general concepts that apply to a huge host of reactions which really cuts down on the memorization. Don't worry too much!
I have found that success in Ochem is a matter of putting in the time. While there is certainly a good deal of memorization (i.e. what particular reagents are required for a particular reaction), as you get further in Ochem, understanding general ideas (i.e. electron donating/withdrawing groups) becomes increasingly important.
Sanctuary said:
Hey, I get to say that!
People memorize what they don't understand. There are about 5 different rules in organic that will help you figure out almost any problem, it's really all about seeing the big picture and going with what makes sense. Please DON'T be one of those stupid bio majors who goes and makes flashcards to try to memorize every possible reaction.
R
R.P. McMurphy
CTtarheel said:
thats kinda harsh
Vox Animo said:
Correct. Those students that tried to memorize instead of conceptualize usually either did poorly, or did well but were extremely stressed due to the amount of time it took to memorize each mechanism.
It really depends on the person. Making flash cards helped me tremendously with things like foreign language vocabulary or the structures of specific biological molecules... so I suppose some people could find them useful for remembering mechanisms and reagents.OSUdoc08 said:
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CTtarheel said:
what are those 5 rules please? 😍
CTtarheel said:
Yeah. That'd be me. I'm such an idiot it took me a big stack of notecards to get a 98% both semesters.
Trust me there are quite a few reactions that don't follow any "specific rules". The overall rules apply to a portion of reactions, but seriously, stuff like a phenol being oxidized to a quinone or sodium metal and ammonia to reduce an alkyne to a trans alkene, etc., you'd be screwed if you only memorized a few rules, there's a lot of stuff that really just doens't fit.
Nuts and Bolts of Organic Chemistry - read it.
First page - Flash cards WILL NOT WORK. Because:
1, you'll have to use them for the first test.
2, you'll have to reuse them for the cumulative final, maybe.
3, you'll have to reuse them for the MCAT, definitely.
Ineffective strategy! Out of the battle!
First page - Flash cards WILL NOT WORK. Because:
1, you'll have to use them for the first test.
2, you'll have to reuse them for the cumulative final, maybe.
3, you'll have to reuse them for the MCAT, definitely.
Ineffective strategy! Out of the battle!
7
75969
CTtarheel said:
True, I memorized when I took Orgo 1&2 and did well both semesters. After having taken more advanced chemistry courses, I now understand why things happen and can visualize/rationalize reactions. However, if you arent planning on a major in chemistry, I think the most effective strategy for orgo will be: memorization of reactions, practicing mechanisms(understanding e- pushing), practicing synthesis.
It would not be possible to get an A at my school by memorizing every reaction. Almost every problem on our tests are reactions taken straight from journal articles. If you don't understand how and why the reaction proceeds the way it does, then you won't have a chance.
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