Failed Organic Chem 1 and I actually tried, where to go from here

[ThePardoner]

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so after studying hard on weekends, missing football games and not going many places, lots of coffee, busting my butt in lab, and choking big time on tests, I got my grade in Organic Chem 1 today

I made a D. After actually trying, studying nearly every day, reviewing, doing practice problems in the book, I got a freaking D. Depressing and dreadful!

I had a good professor, but I started to question here and there if I want medicine for myself (outside pressures pushed me into giving it a shot). The plan was for me to at least get a C in orgo 1 so I can attack Organic chem 2 with a tutor.

Had plans of transferring to the main university in my state from the current campus (I am a first semester sophomore) but this class messed it up.

To make matters more depressing, some of the people I studied with made A's and B's in the class. I just don't know where to go from here, what do I do?

 

[gmcguitar4]

After getting a D in orgo 1, your future looks dismal for orgo 2. Orgo 2 is a continuation of the course and you need a solid grasp on the concepts presented in orgo 1 to succeed. You may want to put it off and retake orgo 1 because just taking orgo 2 to get it out of the way will not help your application for medical school.

 

[roseglass6370]

so after studying hard on weekends, missing football games and not going many places, lots of coffee, busting my butt in lab, and choking big time on tests, I got my grade in Organic Chem 1 today

I made a D. After actually trying, studying nearly every day, reviewing, doing practice problems in the book, I got a freaking D. Depressing and dreadful!

I had a good professor, but I started to question here and there if I want medicine for myself (outside pressures pushed me into giving it a shot). The plan was for me to at least get a C in orgo 1 so I can attack Organic chem 2 with a tutor.

Had plans of transferring to the main university in my state from the current campus (I am a first semester sophomore) but this class messed it up.

To make matters more depressing, some of the people I studied with made A's and B's in the class. I just don't know where to go from here, what do I do?

Think about this and then answer this question for yourself...

 

[ThePardoner]

I can't take organic chem 2 now, I need a C or better in organic chem 1

 

[Ismet]

I can't take organic chem 2 now, I need a C or better in organic chem 1

You seem to have your answer then. Retake ochem 1 and get a tutor.

 

[jesse120]

There are very successful doctors who have failed ochem before. Don't let it get you down. Get up, brush yourself off, and try it again. Tutors probably help. Best of luck to you.

 

[ShoTyme]

First make sure you really want to be a doctor. If not, then let it go and find something else that interests you. If you do decide to continue this journey, make sure to get a tutor. Retake the class immediately since the material should be fresh. You now know where your struggles lie. Start from the beginning and make sure to understand what's going on and why rather than just memorizing "facts and mechanisms." If you understand the underlying principles, the class becomes easier. Do you have a model kit? Have you purchased Organic Chemistry as a Second Language?

 

[deleted357625]

Don't give up because of a class. If you have to retake it more than once do it...Don't put yourself down and think you can't become a physician and all these people say rethink your plans because you can't pass one class. It's a class, try it again and do well. Don't be weak and give up. Push yourself and don't doubt yourself! Keep trying if you really want it bad!

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

A pediatrician that I shadowed said he passed all of his math classes, but failed general chemistry the first time around. He learned from it, did a lot of ECs, and now he has a MD from UAB. I hate seeing people give up on their dreams. Take organic 1 over again with a light load and make the best of the situation! Best of luck!😀

 

[HawaiiMedMan]

If Tebow has taught us anything these past couple of weeks, it's that when people count you out, you really aren't. Try again, it sucks, but things'll come to you better the second time around. You got this.

 

[ThePardoner]

I had C's in both general chemistry classes.....

 

[sliceofbread136]

You should retake, but definitely change up your study methods, because its obvious your current ones don't work for you. My suggestion is to make summary sheets of each ochem chapter you go through where you write down everything you have to know. Every day when you wake up and before you go to bed, read through your summary sheets. The week before your test, do some more hardcore studying/memorizing and a ton of practice problems. This is what I do and it works great for me. Just try out some new things.

You're not past the point of no return with your grades. You just have to turn things around before more damage is done.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I had C's in both general chemistry classes.....

You might want to analyze why you're struggling with chemistry, in particular what topics that have continued to come up again, which have troubled you. Otherwise it's not the end of the world, you may need to work a bit harder, but you can still make it into medical school.

 

[ShoTyme]

I had C's in both general chemistry classes.....

This seriously compounds the situation. At this point, a reevaluation may be necessary. How was your biology 1 since it's basically intro chemistry? If you are struggling in all your prereqs, you may need to choose a different path.

 

[DocGodfather]

If you're really serious about being a candidate for med school, you should have got the tutor for ochem 1 instead of waiting until you got to ochem 2. Retake ochem 1 and tell yourself that nothing below an A is acceptable. Get a tutor and take advantage of all the study materials online and videos at places like youtube. Retaking a prereq with a low grade is serious, but you can fix with an A in the retake, and an A in ochem 2. Handle it.

 

[minkshag]

If you're serious about pursuing medicine (or even biological sciences in general), you're going to need to retake the course. As others suggested, you should make sure you have a tutor to help you out on your next shot. I found that just doing hundreds of practice problems helped me develop a firmer grasp of the organic chemistry topics.

I agree with ShoTyme about changing your study habits. Memorization works for some people, and seems to be the go-to method of learning for a lot of premeds, but understanding the concepts will allow you to do better on exams in the long run. Also, you definitely need a model kit! Pick one up, and have your tutor teach you how to use it! If you're planning on retaking the class next semester, do some review over break.

It may also help you if you use some supplemental materials outside of your lecture notes and textbook, because let's be honest, reading a textbook is not the most effective way to learn for most people. My professor made this site https://classes.yale.edu/05-06/chem220a/studyaids.html to help us study. It's not the most visually appealing or well designed site, but it has tons of problems, mechanisms, and explanations to make the material more intuitive.

I hope you don't let this setback get you down! It's just a sign that you may have to change the way you study rather than changing how much you study!

 

[ThePardoner]

well for now I have just set my goal to getting a degree, I am not planning on going to med school, that chance pretty much died

 

[minkshag]

Your chance at med school is absolutely not gone! If you are serious about becoming a doctor, you will just have to change the way you approach orgo and try again! As people said above, many doctors have bombed a class and still not only gotten into and graduated from medical school, but become excellent clinicians. If you're looking at this setback as a legitimate reason to change career paths, maybe medicine wasn't your dream.

 

[ThePardoner]

Your chance at med school is absolutely not gone! If you are serious about becoming a doctor, you will just have to change the way you approach orgo and try again! As people said above, many doctors have bombed a class and still not only gotten into and graduated from medical school, but become excellent clinicians. If you're looking at this setback as a legitimate reason to change career paths, maybe medicine wasn't your dream.

No not really, thing is I didn't start out strong either my first year so its not like Organic chem is my only failure. I had C's in both gen chems.

 

[minkshag]

You probably ended up with a D in organic chemistry because you already started out behind. If you really want to be a doctor, you should probably start over with chemistry. Does your school offer a general chemistry class that is condensed into one semester? If so, you should see if you can take that and make sure you get a tutor to help you out. If not, you should probably consider taking chemistry over the summer. There are fewer distractions, the classes are smaller, and the professors are more likely to give/find you one on one help if you let them know you need it.

 

[sha15]

if tebow has taught us anything these past couple of weeks, it's that when people count you out, you really aren't. Try again, it sucks, but things'll come to you better the second time around. You got this.

lol

 

[ThePardoner]

You probably ended up with a D in organic chemistry because you already started out behind. If you really want to be a doctor, you should probably start over with chemistry. Does your school offer a general chemistry class that is condensed into one semester? If so, you should see if you can take that and make sure you get a tutor to help you out. If not, you should probably consider taking chemistry over the summer. There are fewer distractions, the classes are smaller, and the professors are more likely to give/find you one on one help if you let them know you need it.

that might have had a lot to do with it, I did not attack aggressively but I did attack none the less, thing is the stuff seemed so easy when I practiced it but when test time came, POP you fail!

 

[To be MD]

1st thing's first, it's not the end of the world. You don't have to "reconsider" anything.

Here is what you need to do.

1. Do NOT take orgo 2 yet, you are not ready.
2. Take other pre-med related classes next semester.
3. Over this winter break and over next summer, buy yourself a model kit and Organic Chemistry as a 2nd language by Klein. Part 1.
4. You read that book; it is your new bible. You understand those concepts, and you apply those concepts to your notes. Any time you cannot picture what's going on in a reaction stereochemically, you pull out that damn model kit and get it into your head.
5. You retake the class next year, and you use your old tests as a guide to what you need to know.
6. Get an A and be ready to work even harder for Orgo 2.

Best of luck; all you need is hard work and a good attitude.

😍

so after studying hard on weekends, missing football games and not going many places, lots of coffee, busting my butt in lab, and choking big time on tests, I got my grade in Organic Chem 1 today

I made a D. After actually trying, studying nearly every day, reviewing, doing practice problems in the book, I got a freaking D. Depressing and dreadful!

I had a good professor, but I started to question here and there if I want medicine for myself (outside pressures pushed me into giving it a shot). The plan was for me to at least get a C in orgo 1 so I can attack Organic chem 2 with a tutor.

Had plans of transferring to the main university in my state from the current campus (I am a first semester sophomore) but this class messed it up.

To make matters more depressing, some of the people I studied with made A's and B's in the class. I just don't know where to go from here, what do I do?

 

[Violagirl]

Don't give up. I had a D too the first time I took O Chem I and then retook the following semester and ended up with a high B. Retaking it will help you to determine where your struggles are and will help with understanding the material a lot better. Look over the material that gave you trouble over winter break so that come next semester, you will not only recognize the material that you may need to look at again but you will also be a step up from the majority of your other classmates. Best of luck to you! 🙂

 

[HealthE]

Dont give up dude. This happened to me 7-8 years ago. I regret not figuring it out and retaking it. Now, that Ive tried many other career options none of them made me happy and I'm trying again.

 

[ThePardoner]

Don't give up. I had a D too the first time I took O Chem I and then retook the following semester and ended up with a high B. Retaking it will help you to determine where your struggles are and will help with understanding the material a lot better. Look over the material that gave you trouble over winter break so that come next semester, you will not only recognize the material that you may need to look at again but you will also be a step up from the majority of your other classmates. Best of luck to you! 🙂

not to be rude but the second time around, what kept you from an A?

you sound bright and if all you got a B I am afraid I may not be able to get an A

 

[ShoTyme]

Organic chemistry is a difficult subject. There will be a lot of difficult subjects. If you do not have the intestinal fortitude to push ahead when you think you can't, when you want to have a beer, when you want to sleep all day, when you want to be anywhere but at your desk studying, then you should think of going into a nice career in business. Seriously. I'm not trying to be rude at all. I was in the business world. You can have a terrific life. A life devoid of the stress of science and her maddeningly intricate concepts. Find a significant other. Have 2.5 kids. White picket fence. Go to that life. It is good. It is fun. This other life, is one for masochists.

 

[ucsfstudents]

If you want to pursue medicine, then don't quit. Figure out what areas you were weak in and get a tutor early to help you get through.

 

[jcruiser]

I am absolutely appalled that someone thinks he should go back and take Gen. Chem classes. That is absolutely worthless advice. Can you sit down and ask yourself whether all that time, stress, and money is worth it? He got C's which means he understood the basic concepts. From there he can go google what he didn't understand or thought was advanced. Then he should go retake orgo 1.


OP, do yourself a huge ass favor and go to amazon.com and type in organic chemistry. Search through some of those books, read reviews, and order one of them. Second Language is a good one but I would also take a look at the "for dummies" one as well. Get both if you want. Read them, go back and retake Orgo 1 like a boss, follow along the textbook, and you'll get an easy A.

I've learned org. chem is designed to weed premeds out. The fact that you've given hope on becoming a doctor because of orgo means you fell into the trap. Man up.

 

[minkshag]

I just suggested that he retake Gen. Chem either over the summer or in a condensed, accelerated course because understanding only enough to get C's in a basic course is not going to get him very far in the more advanced course. If he can structure his time well enough to self-study his way through gen chem again before moving on to organic again, then he should do that. However, it looks like his study skills may be the root of the problem here, so some outside structure could help.

 

[ShoTyme]

I am absolutely appalled that someone thinks he should go back and take Gen. Chem classes. That is absolutely worthless advice. Can you sit down and ask yourself whether all that time, stress, and money is worth it? He got C's which means he understood the basic concepts. From there he can go google what he didn't understand or thought was advanced. Then he should go retake orgo 1.

This is post is appalling. Since when is getting a C okay? Do I want a straight C student as my doctor? You must be joking. So yeah, if the OP got straight C's in chemistry, clearly he or she does not understand the concepts well enough, or is unwilling or unable to do the required amount of work. Either way, it is unacceptable. So yeah, if the OP wants to be a doctor, go retake chemistry from the beginning and ace it.

 

[jcruiser]

This is post is appalling. Since when is getting a C okay? Do I want a straight C student as my doctor? You must be joking. So yeah, if the OP got straight C's in chemistry, clearly he or she does not understand the concepts well enough, or is unwilling or unable to do the required amount of work. Either way, it is unacceptable. So yeah, if the OP wants to be a doctor, go retake chemistry from the beginning and ace it.

I'll take that as an inference. Calling him a straight C student is obnoxious. We all have weaknesses and Chemistry is absolutely abysmal to someone with no background in it. He said he studied and reviewed every day, that shows a lot of effort considering I can't say the same about myself and I have an A- in orgo 2. There is no reason you should take 2 steps back, waste money, and add needless stress when a good day of google searching could've saved you from it.

 

[KLycos]

Everyone in this thread is being really nice to you. The reality is though that medicine is not for you if you can't pass orgo.

 

[Violagirl]

not to be rude but the second time around, what kept you from an A?

you sound bright and if all you got a B I am afraid I may not be able to get an A

It seemed to have had something to do with the average in my class "being too high". My professor for it decided to adjust the wieght percentage of the final to be 40% of our grade instead of 30% and it seemed more difficult then our previous exams had been. I remember other students feeling that it had been more difficult too and as the class averages were typically around the 80-85% range with the 40% adjustment for the final, that seemed to have been the case. 🙄

 

[ShoTyme]

I'll take that as an inference. Calling him a straight C student is obnoxious. We all have weaknesses and Chemistry is absolutely abysmal to someone with no background in it. He said he studied and reviewed every day, that shows a lot of effort considering I can't say the same about myself and I have an A- in orgo 2. There is no reason you should take 2 steps back, waste money, and add needless stress when a good day of google searching could've saved you from it.

He is a straight C student as far as Chemistry is concerned. That is not obnoxious at all. It's true. I was not inferring anything else. If the OP knew he or she had a deficiency in chemistry, that should have been sorted out after chemistry 1, not organic 1. Obviously I'm not the one of the powers that be, but if I was, I would have a hard time overlooking such a glaring red mark on a transcript. One bad semester? Everyone has them. One problem subject? Sure. My nemisis is physics. I hate it and it hates me. But I am self aware enough to recognize my flaw, and do things to rectify it. I have gone to tutoring sessions on many occasions. I have researched topics online. I have reread the text. Even after all that, I still got a B. Getting straight C's in chemistry imho is completely unacceptable.

Also good job in orgo. I have a classmate who skimmed the text and put in a modicum of effort and got an A+. Unfortunately for me, I have to work hard for my grades. I guess because of this, I have little patience for those that do not work as hard. Of course I don't know the OP's work ethic, but there are resources available to help. I really believe at this point, the OP should either suck it up and start over and crush it, or find another passion. My 2 cents.

 

[idontcaureuknow]

Truth about organic chemistry (and all chemistry), there are two ways to get through it:
1) Memorize
2) Learn the process

I could never memorize that amount of information without understanding. Actually, I don't think I memorized a thing in all 3 organic classes I had, instead here is what I did:
Orgo I: Worked hard, learned the fundamentals, consulted a lot of chem I, got a B
Orgo II: Studied maybe five minutes for all 6 tests, easy A (my orgo I work paid off big time). For the ACS final I think I at most missed two questions.
Adv. Orgo (grad level): Tutored a friend through the course, going into the final I had the highest grade. Will find out final grade soon.

Note: all classes were with the same prof who is supposedly the hardest at my school.

Point is, the fundamentals are extremely important if you get through the class by understanding the process (and electron densities). Otherwise it is a lot of work memorizing random facts. If I tried learning by method 1 I would have failed, miserably. Though I had friends get A's with that method. So really, analyze how you studied and why you failed.

 

[jcruiser]

He is a straight C student as far as Chemistry is concerned. That is not obnoxious at all. It's true. I was not inferring anything else. If the OP knew he or she had a deficiency in chemistry, that should have been sorted out after chemistry 1, not organic 1. Obviously I'm not the one of the powers that be, but if I was, I would have a hard time overlooking such a glaring red mark on a transcript. One bad semester? Everyone has them. One problem subject? Sure. My nemisis is physics. I hate it and it hates me. But I am self aware enough to recognize my flaw, and do things to rectify it. I have gone to tutoring sessions on many occasions. I have researched topics online. I have reread the text. Even after all that, I still got a B. Getting straight C's in chemistry imho is completely unacceptable.

Also good job in orgo. I have a classmate who skimmed the text and put in a modicum of effort and got an A+. Unfortunately for me, I have to work hard for my grades. I guess because of this, I have little patience for those that do not work as hard. Of course I don't know the OP's work ethic, but there are resources available to help. I really believe at this point, the OP should either suck it up and start over and crush it, or find another passion. My 2 cents.

I get your point, but just because of one subject, someone shouldn't have to drastically alter a very possible goal (getting into med school). Unfortunately, telling him to go remediate chem 1 and 2 to hopefully do good in orgo is pretty discouraging in itself. I just wouldn't do it, put me in those shoes. I would just lighten the schedule and make sure I spend more time for the orgo retake.

And thanks. 🙂

 

[tikanisynaru]

Everyone in this thread is being really nice to you. The reality is though that medicine is not for you if you can't pass orgo.

Not true.

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

I did better in orgo than in all of the other pre-req classes (partly because intro bio/gen chem are insane weed-outs at my uni ). The thing that helped me was that after memorizing all reagents/mechanisms, I re-wrote them a few times using different starting molecules than the notes. Then I got together with a friend and we made up the hardest sequential synthesis problems that we could for each other, combining multiple concepts. Some of them even used as many as 10 sets of reagents. You will need to pull your grades up, but be patient about it. Even if you go to a very rigorous school like MIT, you will need above a B average. Don't listen to any naysayers on here though. They are either seeking to increase the size of their e-peen, or have never been in a truly competitive environment, and so are unduly smug. When they get to actual competition in medical school, they will be humbled.

 

[PremedGunner]

Everyone in this thread is being really nice to you. The reality is though that medicine is not for you if you can't pass orgo.

This is post is appalling. Since when is getting a C okay? Do I want a straight C student as my doctor? You must be joking. So yeah, if the OP got straight C's in chemistry, clearly he or she does not understand the concepts well enough, or is unwilling or unable to do the required amount of work. Either way, it is unacceptable. So yeah, if the OP wants to be a doctor, go retake chemistry from the beginning and ace it.

i'd rather op be my doctor than these clowns

 

[ThePardoner]

WOW that went all over the place. Thanks for sticking up for me guys, I am flattered. Anyways I have put aside the thought of medical school for now, I know it is going to be a really hard journey, I just want to do good in Organic chem 1 and 2 and maybe go from there.

Anyways I found out why I failed Organic Chemistry 1. I did spend time with the professor during the semester and stuff and I also worked hard to make sure I get a decent grade but here are my issues.

1. I read chapters, did problems in the book which were VERY EASY compared to the ones the teacher gave us and I often just did repetition.
2. I did poorly on the quizzes, I learned the material, knew the broad concept of it but not the details of it. Stereochemistry I often second guessed myself and I often got answers wrong.
3. I managed to miss a lot of multiple choice questions on the test, for mechanisms I got points off for putting the carbocation in the wrong place and not showing a hydride shift.
4. I missed the Zastiev - Hoffman concept and this hurt me on tests.
5. Cis-Trans and the affect of heat on each, I also missed.

Basically, I got the broad concept but the second a foreign question got thrown at me I missed it completely which really did hurt me. I am going to attack O Chem 1 with a tutor now......

 

[johnisles2011]

Good luck.

Don't get down about it. It's a tough class.

 

[Godric]

Let me start by telling you that Orgo is not a class that becomes easier just because you invested ample hours of studying into it. Its the type of that class that requires alot of work, and that works requires you to understand alot of material. Everyone comprehends information differently. I think you should use this as an opportunity to learn, the methods you employed for Orgo1 did not work for you. You need to rethink your game plan and go at Orgo2 another way. It isnt enough just to do the hw, you should check to see if you understand theory, then see if you understand how/why reactions work, and why the mechs are the way they are, pure memorization alone will not do anything.

Now I have some suggestions for you can tackle Orgo2, get organic chem as a second language , and watch freelance on youtube for extra help. Also read your book, do your problems but make sure you understand, its not enough just to read, you have to be able to understand for you to do well.

And lastly stop comparing yourself to other people, I can not stress this enough. I used to do the same and once I stopped doing so my own attitudes and performance in my classes increased. My personal story is that Orgo1 I bombed my first exam, I got 30% while the class avg was a 52.4%, the second exam I tried changing up my study techniques and I got a B+ (88%), and after the final I got a B. But heres the kicker, in Orgo2 I didnt make any of the same mistakes I made in Orgo1 and I got an A. I am telling it can be done, and you can do it, best of luck.

 

[ThePardoner]

Reviewing Organic chem 1 hour every single day for winter break from Monday to Friday, at least 1 hour. Sucks I failed O chem 1 because

1. A girl I liked and was connecting with went on to O chem 2
2. Two other people I studied with made a C, they barely passed but they at least passed
3. Going to be embarrassing to walk through my school these days, as I said, I don't go to a giant college campus, everyone knows everyone here
4. GPA is near the 2.7 range now

OUCH!

but hey motivation is motivation, lets see if this does not wake me up

 

[scarshapedstar]

Are you sure you're motivated though? It sounds a lot like you're going through the motions in order to satisfy your parents and be around that girl. What would you say is your favorite/strongest academic subject?

 

[ThePardoner]

Are you sure you're motivated though? It sounds a lot like you're going through the motions in order to satisfy your parents and be around that girl. What would you say is your favorite/strongest academic subject?

In general my interests are in things like psychology and finance but I realize that in this economy, a major in sciences can do a lot. I don't go to a top university (and unfortunately, I probably never will though I kinda always wanted to get that experience) so my choices in those majors are closed off. I did not live a stable life and now I actually have a plan I want to follow. Doesn't involve med school as it is too late for that and a D in organic chemistry will probably get me into the Caribbeans at best.

 

[235788]

gg OP

 

[scarshapedstar]

In general my interests are in things like psychology and finance but I realize that in this economy, a major in sciences can do a lot. I don't go to a top university (and unfortunately, I probably never will though I kinda always wanted to get that experience) so my choices in those majors are closed off. I did not live a stable life and now I actually have a plan I want to follow. Doesn't involve med school as it is too late for that and a D in organic chemistry will probably get me into the Caribbeans at best.

You can recover from that if you really really really want to be a doctor. Not talking Carib either.

But stable income alone isn't a plan; I went through a similar experience as an engineering major, got 4 D's and changed to biology because that had always been my strength. I realized shortly thereafter, as my grades shot way up, that I was never meant to be an engineer and hadn't really given any thought to my future besides "engi degree = $".

Unless you're doing very well in your other science classes you probably need to try for something else. 🙁

 

[ThePardoner]

You can recover from that if you really really really want to be a doctor. Not talking Carib either.

But stable income alone isn't a plan; I went through a similar experience as an engineering major, got 4 D's and changed to biology because that had always been my strength. I realized shortly thereafter, as my grades shot way up, that I was never meant to be an engineer and hadn't really given any thought to my future besides "engi degree = $".

Unless you're doing very well in your other science classes you probably need to try for something else. 🙁

yaaaa....

 

[418865]

we can all give you advices but what you have to really ask is: Do I want to be a physician? Go to your local hospital or a physician you know, follow them for a day, do your own research and whatnot and make sure being a doctor is what you want to do and not what you think is a stable job, etc. etc. from your posts, it seems that you are suffering from lack of confidence (which is completely understandable after getting that D) but don't let it bog you down (I know so much easier said than done)..but for real..try to see if you genuinely want to be a physician..if you find your no-1 reason as: stable job..then you may want to think again...