Chemistry

[Dhisle0932]

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I have a question about chemistry. I will be taking my first general chemistry in the fall and Im nervous. I have never really had a formal chemistry class before and I wouldn't say my math skill are the best. Prob intermediate algebra at best. Any advice? Would you take it anyway?

 

[brygguy1]

Yes, take it.

Learn the concepts rather than memorizing facts.

I typically found that I didn't understand the material until I taught it to my friends and helped them with their homework.

 

[anonymousername]

It's understandable to be nervous. GenChem, in my opinion, is actually harder than Ochem and serves a bigger (but less dramatic) role in "weeding" premeds out.

The concepts are relatively new (unless you took AP Chem), most of the stuff is pretty uninteresting and not really applicable to your life, some concepts like hybridization, wave functions, space filling, ect. go over your head because you don't have any background for the information besides "this is an atom it consists of 3 different parts: a proton, an....."

The later part of Gchem is actually pretty cool...galvanic cells, real life redox reactions, Acid/Base chemistry...stuff like that

But some of the stuff is vital to being successful in ochem, which can make or break your sGPA/MCAT. Hybridization, for example has been used in every single ochem lecture and without the knowledge from Chem 1A, everyone would have been lost.

Be intimidated, learn the concepts and equations (a lot of Gchem is empirical), don't rely on your classmates...they are idiots and know relatively little..talk to ppl who have taken the class before and "get the big picture"

it's not exactly tough...but it's new so it's not easy either.

 

[jj6vcb]

Also, getting to know your professor and making sure he/she knows your situation early on could help

 

[Dhisle0932]

Thanks for the advice guys. I just wouldn't want to ruin my chances at medical school. I love biology and stuff but when its come to chemistry and some physics I dont enjoy it. Is that normal to enjoy biology more than the rest of the sciences?

 

[Dannyw]

if you can solve for a variable, you're fine.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Thanks for the advice guys. I just wouldn't want to ruin my chances at medical school. I love biology and stuff but when its come to chemistry and some physics I dont enjoy it. Is that normal to enjoy biology more than the rest of the sciences?

I'd say that most pre-meds do like biology. But to each there own.

 

[orthomyxo]

Brush up on your high school chemistry!! If you still have your old notebooks, glance through them a little. I hadn't seen chemistry since my junior year when I took gen chem 1, and I struggled at some points. I did still get an A- so don't be discouraged if you think chemistry isn't one of your strengths. Don't worry about not having perfect math skills either. If you can plug numbers into an equation and solve for an unknown, you will be fine.

Also, avoid cramming! Study a little bit each day. Trust me, you DO NOT want to stay up all night studying right before an exam.

 

[rxnfiend]

It really isn't as hard as you think it will be! I was in your same shoes when I started and did excellent. Just make sure to study a day or two more than you think it is necessary. You will be very happy because when everyone is cramming and freaking out, you will be basically done studying while just reviewing concepts before the exam. Make sure to do TONS of practice problems from the book and take ALL old exams available.

GenChem usually isn't terribly hard unless your study skills are horid. Ochem is the beast that either you get or don't no matter your study habits. Good luck! 👍

 

[JoshUNCW]

I'd say that most pre-meds do like biology. But to each there own.

I guess I'm kind of a weirdo. I absolutely loved chem/orgo. Bio... not so much.

As for the OP, don't worry. Just keep up with the lectures, take notes, and study. The math really isn't too advanced. It'll be just like any other class that's foreign to you. Nothing too bad.

 

[FloatOn]

If you feel like you're falling behind, don't be afraid to ask the professor for help during office hours and/or use any tutoring services your school might offer.

 

[Comoroa]

I've tutored general chemistry for a couple semesters and have noticed a common theme: people are generally scared of chemistry and talk themselves into having a hard time with it. What I mean is this: if you keep telling yourself that chemistry is going to be hard and you are going to struggle, you probably will have a difficult time and not get as good of grades as you want.

While tutoring OChem and Gchem, I've come up with a pretty good pep talk. Chemistry is NOT hard, regardless of what you have heard. Yes you will have to work, you will have to do practice problems, and you will have to go to class. But it is NOT impossible by any stretch of the imagination. I am of the firm opinion that anyone can pass a chemistry course if they try hard.

Moral of this post- do not psych yourself out for the course before you even start it. It will only be an uphill battle if you do. Just do what many people on this post have said: get to know your professor, do the reading, do the practice problems, and don't wait until the night before the test to start studying. You will be just fine.

Anyway, chemistry is way more interesting the biology. In PChem we got to make lasers. Also, you can synthesize cool organic molecules, like banana oil or aspirin.

 

[HolySmokes]

I guess I'm kind of a weirdo. I absolutely loved chem/orgo. Bio... not so much.

As for the OP, don't worry. Just keep up with the lectures, take notes, and study. The math really isn't too advanced. It'll be just like any other class that's foreign to you. Nothing too bad.

Same here. I loved Gen Chem and Orgo, but Gen Bio was almost painful to sit through. What freshman really cares about plant anatomy?

 

[Van Chowder]

Just take it, I was the same way with general chem. It is actually a great way to freshen up your mathskills as it does not require more than int alg.