A big gap of time between Orgo I & Orgo II?

[kikiu]

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[0919mmk]

Quick question: How much Orgo I carries over into Orgo II?

I'm in Orgo I right now (spring semester). I have the option of taking Orgo II either this summer or next spring semester. I'm conflicted between both options. I find science classes harder in the summer than in the school year and it will be cheaper...but I just don't want to put myself at a disadvantage next spring if I forgot a lot of important concepts/ mechanisms over a few months. Any advice?

I guess I would do whichever option is cheaper. I'm a little confused by your wording, but if it's cheaper in the summer, do it. There is overlap between orgo 1 and 2 insomuch as the mechanisms you are learning now are used over and over again in orgo 2, but orgo 2 is mostly just learning specific reactions/combinations/uses of those basic mechanisms.

If it's cheaper to do it next spring, that's ok too, you can do it then and just review the orgo1 stuff (i.e. just make sure you are comfortable with SN1/2, E1/2, additions, etc.) Good luck.

 

[rhesuspieces]

OChem II is a direct continuation of I. You'll have to do some serious reviewing over winter break to prepare if you plan on taking it next spring. If you retain information well, I'd say go for it. I personally wouldn't put that much time between I and II, but that's because I have a hard time remembering stuff I learned a year ago.

 

[kexy]

If you choose to do it next spring, I suggest that when you are preparing for this semester's final you make literally the most epic and organized study guide ever. List all the reactions you've learned in I, the reaction conditions, the limitations, etc.... since a horrible amount of them are crucial in II. If you have that guide to refer to during II, I wouldn't be worried about the time gap. Plus, it can only help you study for your final anyway 🙂 I didn't take any time between I and II, and my I final study guide has still been invaluable.

 

[movax]

I had 1.5 years between Orgo I and Orgo II. I did ****ty in Orgo I, but got an A in Orgo II after actually sitting down and studying for a change.

You need a solid foundation in Orgo I for Orgo II, but it isn't the end of the world if you can catch up rapidly at the beginning.

 

[orthomyxo]

I don't know if my experience is universal, but honestly orgo II is a whole different beast. Out of the 10 billion reactions and mechanisms I learned last semester, I've found myself only ever needing to use a few old concepts in orgo II, i.e. Sn1/2, E1/2, ozonolysis, epoxidation, and organometallics. I honestly can't recall any others, unless I have them internalized really well for some reason (I don't 😳). You do absolutely need some concepts that aren't reactions or mechanisms, like resonance and stuff though.

If you're not strapped for time, I would pick up a really good organic textbook (Maitland Jones' is good). I'm usually not one to self-teach, but if I was going to do it for one class, it would be organic.

 

[Godric]

To be honest, taking organic chem2 right now. And I know some people might say you need to rmeber everything from organic1 but it comes down to how they teach it at your school. It might be worthwhile to ask your O.Chem prof if he/she will use Orgo1 concepts/reactions/mech. in Organic2 ?
My prof does not, he told us their might way you can get the answer sometimes from Orgo1, but I am testing you on what I thought you this semester, and not last and everything can be answered from this semester alone. So really you might not need it.
But thats not to say you can allow your self to forget the basics. You have to keep some of the basics alive if you take in the spring.

 

[sonia1177]

To be honest, taking organic chem2 right now. And I know some people might say you need to rmeber everything from organic1 but it comes down to how they teach it at your school. It might be worthwhile to ask your O.Chem prof if he/she will use Orgo1 concepts/reactions/mech. in Organic2 ?
My prof does not, he told us their might way you can get the answer sometimes from Orgo1, but I am testing you on what I thought you this semester, and not last and everything can be answered from this semester alone. So really you might not need it.
But thats not to say you can allow your self to forget the basics. You have to keep some of the basics alive if you take in the spring.

+1 ask the prof. My prof went over all the things u need for orgo 1 on the first day of the class and the first chapter in orgo 2 was the continuation of Orgo 1.

 

[BlameItOnTheOH]

i had a year and a half between my ochem 1 and 2. I had the same teacher for both which was helpful. I reviewed a little before ochem 2 and was fine with that, the concepts that carryover the most are really general and things you arent likely to forget. if you arent struggling in ochem 1, waiting should not be a big deal.

 

[LabMonster]

I'm a big fan of repetition - I say do it now. Cheap or not cheap, you're reinforcing the things you learned in Orgo I which will make II easier.

If you learn chemistry, the MCAT won't be that difficult, because you've learned it. Memorize Orgo? Then you may have issues.

Honestly, I knew how to think in OrgChem, and it made the exams and MCAT less painful.

 

[scb44f]

I had 1.5 years between Orgo I and Orgo II. I did ****ty in Orgo I, but got an A in Orgo II after actually sitting down and studying for a change.

Ditto, except change 1.5 years to 3 years. What did it for me was that the professors were different (the person who taught II was better for my learning style), and I knew how to study by the time I took II.

You may want to talk to the professors who teach the classes, or other students, to get more insight on just how much of orgo I is used in II, if the professor reviews any material from the previous semester, etc.