Entire General Chemistry Sequence Over Summer?

[TexanGirl]

So, I'm having difficulty trying to accommodate Gen. Chem 1 in my spring schedule. I really wanted to take Organic Chemistry next fall, but unless I take both General Chemistry I/II during the summer, I will unable to follow my original plan.

Is this feasible? Is it practical? I'm worried about losing out on rigor since each class is essentially going to be condensed down to 5 weeks. Anyone have experiences in doing this?

My other option is taking General Chem 1 as an online course, but somehow that just sounds fishy to me...

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[nonesuchgirl]

I'm assuming that you've made sure that g chem 1 and 2 are offered over the summer.

That said, if you're good at chem leaning towards really good, it's probably doable. If anything, it's going to be harder because you've only got 5 weeks for everything (not whatever you can do in 5 weeks, everything).

 

[Virgil]

So, I'm having difficulty trying to accommodate Gen. Chem 1 in my spring schedule. I really wanted to take Organic Chemistry next fall, but unless I take both General Chemistry I/II during the summer, I will unable to follow my original plan.

Is this feasible? Is it practical? I'm worried about losing out on rigor since each class is essentially going to be condensed down to 5 weeks. Anyone have experiences in doing this?

My other option is taking General Chem 1 as an online course, but somehow that just sounds fishy to me...

Sure, why not? Some people take 2 semesters worth of OCHEM over the summer and do fine.

 

[hermit]

It depends on how quickly you pick things up and how much time you are prepared to study. If you doubt either your capacity to learn or your commitment, this is not a good idea. On the other hand, if you feel confident in your abilities, it's doable.

 

[The Nigal]

Sure go ahead. Its a lot of work, and having lab 3 or 4 times a week is pretty tedious. However, its certainly manageable, and I didn't feel like I learned any less for having a shorter course.

 

[TexanGirl]

I'm assuming that you've made sure that g chem 1 and 2 are offered over the summer.

That said, if you're good at chem leaning towards really good, it's probably doable. If anything, it's going to be harder because you've only got 5 weeks for everything (not whatever you can do in 5 weeks, everything).

Well, here's the thing: my high school foundation of chemistry was solid, but certainly not the best. It was sort of an easy A because it was taught at a really basic level. (I'm really regretting not taking AP Chem my senior year, darn) I'm totally committed to learning chem over the summer though, if it helps.

 

[foster033]

If you have any aptitude for science, which I'm assuming you do since you want to be a doctor....Take it over the summer.
Gen chem is not that hard. I didn't take it during the summer, but I wish I would have, it was so boring spread out of the entire semester.

I did have a decent background, took honors chem my junior year of high school (very good private school), but that being said, most concepts in gen chem are pretty basic and are taught in any high school chemistry class. If you didn't struggle in high school you should be fine.

 

[qtpai]

Well, here's the thing: my high school foundation of chemistry was solid, but certainly not the best. It was sort of an easy A because it was taught at a really basic level. (I'm really regretting not taking AP Chem my senior year, darn) I'm totally committed to learning chem over the summer though, if it helps.

you can do this. i came in with terrible chem and barely any science background and gunned through all my med pre-reqs within 2 semesters (with the exception of the ochem sequence; that included, it would be 3). just be prepared to work. science is about having a modicum of intelligence and a lot of hard work, that is all. when people say science is hard, they are really saying it takes a lot of work they don't want to put in. fact.

 

[nonesuchgirl]

you can do this. i came in with terrible chem and barely any science background and gunned through all my med pre-reqs within 2 semesters (with the exception of the ochem sequence; that included, it would be 3). just be prepared to work. science is about having a modicum of intelligence and a lot of hard work, that is all. when people say science is hard, they are really saying it takes a lot of work they don't want to put in. fact.

+1 on the hard work. That said, c'mon, you're going to med school. Even a hardcore overload in undergrad will look easy then. 🙄

 

[Samus Aran]

i took physics 1 and 2 plus both labs one summer and i barely survived, but that was probably because the lecture was at 8am monday-friday. damn that sucked...

 

[vandyland10]

I took gen. chem over the summer and fell in love with summer courses...I'm taking organic chem this summer, actually.

 

[nonesuchgirl]

Also, make sure that summer courses will count as real courses for your major. Some times there are limits, etc.

 

[Geekchick921]

My Gen Chem 1 class was during the Spring last year, and I found parts of it to be very slow. I personally think doing Gen Chem 1 and 2 of the summer would be totally doable.

I'm actually planning on doing that with Physics this next summer, which I'll probably really regret (I hate Physics, learn all these formulas about how the universe functions but none of said formulas actually apply in real life situations without immense screwing with), but it'll be the best time for me to take it that doesn't conflict with my job.

 

[MDpride]

I took entire gen. chem sequence along with 3 more classes in summer

it worked out excellent

 

[cheezer]

i took gen chem 1 and 2 just last summer. don't worry about rigor, it'll take up plenty of time. i personally liked the schedule because it was concentrated and moved quickly. make sure you make time to study.

 

[exeunt]

i took orgo 1, 2, and lab last summer (total of 11 credits) over a span of 2 months. its definitely difficult and you need to stay on top of things (we had a midterm every week and our 3rd midterm and final were within 4 days of each other..i also took orgo lab which covers orgo 1 & 2 during orgo 1 and the final was the same day as the orgo 1 final- hell) but it's doable. i actually think it's much easier than during the year, and personally i find it easier to just focus intensely on one subject. if that applies to you as well then with a little time management you should be fine.👍

 

[TexanGirl]

I took entire gen. chem sequence along with 3 more classes in summer

it worked out excellent

Hmm, really? Mind I ask what were the other classes?

 

[futuredrcrawfor]

I wish that my school offered both gen chems together in the summer- you can only do one or the other here! I would have loved doing OChem like that!!!

I took 9 hours (3 courses) in maymester last year and it was good- only hard part was we spent 2 weeks abroad and then when we got back we had less than a week to write 3- 10 page research papers...it was pretty intense!

 

[MDpride]

Hmm, really? Mind I ask what were the other classes?

spanishII, developmental psychology, and statistics

 

[Nasem]

Umm...
why must you take GEn chem 1 and 2 before orgo 1 ??? you can take orgo 1 just by finishing gen chem 1

As far as taking them in the summer, I never advice that, those chemistry courses are the backbone of A LOT of the sciences you'll be studying for the next 10 years, you really wanna take them at a slow-full-semester rather than 6 weeks of hell.....

 

[0Complications]

I took entire gen. chem sequence along with 3 more classes in summer

it worked out excellent

spanishII, developmental psychology, and statistics

My BSMeter is tingling, Batman...


To the OP, it is definitely doable. It does take a lot of work, but is manageable. I did the GChem I in 5 weeks, but then got pretty sick in the beginning of GChem II, so I just dropped before the deadline. But minus the cold, it would have been manageable as well.

Good luck!

 

[katieo]

I think chem 1 and 2 is doable, I'll be taking chem 2 the first half of summer and Orgo 1 the second half. What a great way to spend my vacation! I guess that's what I get for not taking chem as a freshman and then taking a semester off because of mono (which after 2 months is still going strong.)

 

[TexanGirl]

Umm...
why must you take GEn chem 1 and 2 before orgo 1 ??? you can take orgo 1 just by finishing gen chem 1

As far as taking them in the summer, I never advice that, those chemistry courses are the backbone of A LOT of the sciences you'll be studying for the next 10 years, you really wanna take them at a slow-full-semester rather than 6 weeks of hell.....

At my school, Chem II is the prerequisite for O-Chem.

Thanks for your opinion, Nasem. Do you speak from experience?

 

[Geekchick921]

Umm...
why must you take GEn chem 1 and 2 before orgo 1 ??? you can take orgo 1 just by finishing gen chem 1

As far as taking them in the summer, I never advice that, those chemistry courses are the backbone of A LOT of the sciences you'll be studying for the next 10 years, you really wanna take them at a slow-full-semester rather than 6 weeks of hell.....

Like Texangirl, Chem 2 is the prereq for OChem 1, but my professor let me slide because of conflicts with my job. He's a cool guy, though he warned me I might not do as well. That said, I think I'm getting an A. 😀