Excessive retake?

[Amalthea68]

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Hi all,

So, this summer I took an intensive gen chem course. I made it through the first semester but I got sick in the second and ended up taking a W in the lecture portion of the class.

Here's the thing: I got a B in the first semester of this. Normally a B wouldn't bother me, but this B was a 65% (everyone in the class was doing somewhat poorly, thank goodness for curves). I never really had time to solidify topics in gen chem 1 because we moved onto gen chem 2.

I feel like my basis for gen chem 2 is shaky.

I can't take gen chem 2 until the winter anyway (it isn't offered in the fall), and I was strongly considering retaking gen chem 1 to get a better understanding of the material.

Is this a stupid idea?

 

[freakingoutabit]

I personally wouldn't. There are a TON of resources to help you gain a better understanding of gen chem I, and you could easily spend some of your free time during the fall semester watching videos, doing practice problems, or even reading the Idiot's Guide to Chemistry.

You might have to do some reviewing during gen chem II, but if you understand the basics (dimensional analysis, acids and bases, balancing equations, bonding, etc.), you'll be fine. If you don't understand the basics, you can easily learn them on your own.

I swear by Khan Academy videos. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/chemistry

Also, Crash Course videos are fun but not very in-depth. www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSyAehMdpyI‎

If you watch all of the Khan Academy gen chem I videos, you'll have a better understanding of chemistry basics than most people.

 

[CW 2010]

Do not retake. It's a waste of money and time. There is not so much of gen chem 1 in gen chem 2. You could definitely study a little bit on your own, and when the time comes to take gen chem 2 class, make sure you do all your work and don't fall behind. That's it 🙂

 

[edgerock24]

I would disagree with the above posters.

What do you have to lose with retaking the class? You cannot take Gen Chem 2 until the Spring. So, if you have the time and believe that you can get an A in Gen Chem 1 in the Fall, then why not retake it? However, I am only suggesting this if you plan on applying DO and making use of the grade replacement policy.

 

[augeremt]

If you're worried about having too many Gen Chem I courses on your transcript, another option is to audit the course, meaning attend it, do all the work for it, but not actually be enrolled in the class. Talk to the professor on the first day of class about this. They're usually cool with it.