For those who got A's in orgo and physics

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Primate Bonobo

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IF you used a supplement (besides classroom textbook), and you think it helped you, can you give me the names/authors and maybe a quick info about the books and how it helped you?

I'm asking for my cousin who is going to take both classes next year. He is looking at reviews on amazon.com and perused some books at the bookstore, but is still unsure which is the ideal supplement. I'd help him, but I stuck to just classroom texts and lectures when taking these classes (and kind of wish I had looked at outside resources.)
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I wouldn't think a supplement text would be necessary. Going to the lectures and the professor/TA's office hours should be sufficient. That will save you money unless you require tutoring.
 
organic chemistry as a second language...easy to read and very helpful conceptually. also has some practice problems that are not rocket science and help you to grasp the mechanisms of o-chem.

def. rocked that class tho.
 
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I agree with sonofva. Organic Chemistry as A Second Language is more useful than any textbook. It'll change your mind set from memorization to application.
 
calbears08 said:
I agree with sonofva. Organic Chemistry as A Second Language is more useful than any textbook. It'll change your mind set from memorization to application.
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Third that. 👍

It's fast and explains concepts very well. It was good for some extra practice too.
 
For Organic I used the student solutions book that came with my Organic text and just worked a ton of problems. Did basically the same for Physics too (though I did refer back to my HS physic book sometimes)
 
Totally agree on the second language books; also, for the first couple of weeks I played with model sets in my spare time; it really helped me "see" things in 3-D on paper. I use them now occasionally when tutoring chemistry and my drawings don't get the point across. I would only suggest using them if you can resist the urge to become too reliant on them, though. Some people become overly dependent. But they are good to understand space issues and electron issues at first.
 
Definitely O Chem as a Second Language. That, and just drilling practice problems and drawing out mechanisms over and over again--repetition is key.
 
Chemicalforums.com

cramster.com (depending on textbook, may or may not be useful)
 
loveoforganic said:
Chemicalforums.com

cramster.com (depending on textbook, may or may not be useful)
Click to expand...

this website is solid gold, if your book is on there. The step by step problem solving for the book problems is 10x better than any solution manual. Resulted in 3 quarters of "A's" in physics for me.
 
I LOVED O-chem as a second language. Consider me another definite supporter.

I didn't find the model kits helpful at all.

Physics...ehh, you probably won't need a supplement. Intro physics is about memorizing the equations. I did use a UPenn professor's website to help understand some magnetism concepts in 2nd semester but that was for lab more than lecture.
 
Should go without saying, but for any organic text you need a solutions manual...duh. I found Wade's textbook to have a good one.
In physics I did not get an A in.
 
addo said:
Should go without saying, but for any organic text you need a solutions manual...duh. I found Wade's textbook to have a good one.
In physics I did not get an A in.
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Meh. I bought one, and never found myself having time to use it. My book had the answers in the back of the book, so at least I could check myself; if I REALLY couldn't get what was in the back, I would go ask the prof or a TA.

I think most people wind up getting one just because it's what everyone else is doing, but I don't think I'd say it's actually essential. It was just an expensive waste of money for me, and my bookstore wouldn't even buy it back.
 
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Your professor or the TA's office hours should be your primary source of help!
 
Orgo is easy. Just do a bunch of problems from the textbook. Memorize the mechanisms and get the practice exams. IMO, old exams are the key.

Orgo is easy but requires a huge investment in time.

Models look cool but are worthless. You should be able to visualize most orgo molecules in your head.
 
just do a ton of problems. we used the frances carey book which i think dumbs everything down very clearly. the solutions manual is seriously gold, although it was like 150 bucks.

also, i thought the berkeley review orgo books were awesome for stereochemistry. pesky 3D crap.
 
(1) Avoid hard professors by using Ratemyprofessors

(2) finish reading the first 3 chapters before starting class

(3) Always keep yourself ahead by a chapter

(4) do every single text problem

(5) old exams,, use your frat bros to get them
 
I didn't really do that much outside of class. No extra materials or extra problems. My best suggestion though is just like what I tell everyone I tutor: the key is to make sure that you do not just try and memorize things. Learn to understand it with logic and work your way to conclusions. Apply gen. chem concepts and other things to make the reactions make sense. I do the same thing as a math major. I don't memorize equations, I learn to develop the equations from other previous math concepts. I feel like that really is the best approach for organic chemistry. As a rule "STUDY SMART, NOT HARD."

I hope that makes sense.
 
I thought orgo was pretty easy. The beginning is tough and is where you need to concentrate the most. Gets easier along the way as you become familiar with arrow pushing and certain properties.

You probably shouldn't take my advice, but I never read the book thoroughly and crammed for exams two days before doing most of the problems in the book and I got A's. You just got to find your study schedule, and its definitely manageable without supplemental books. People perceive orgo as hell, but it is far from that.

Just have a worth ethic and you'll be fine. Also agreed with the poster above me. Study smart - theres no point memorizing everything, it will only make it worse.
 
Depends on high school preparation.
 
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Primate Bonobo said:
IF you used a supplement (besides classroom textbook), and you think it helped you, can you give me the names/authors and maybe a quick info about the books and how it helped you?

I'm asking for my cousin who is going to take both classes next year. He is looking at reviews on amazon.com and perused some books at the bookstore, but is still unsure which is the ideal supplement. I'd help him, but I stuck to just classroom texts and lectures when taking these classes (and kind of wish I had looked at outside resources.)
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Why yes, I happened to be the only one out of all my friends that got A's in both of these classes? Secret? Getting a solution's manual (IE teacher's edition), so I had the answer to every problem in the book, not just even or odd. I didn't go to lecture, I just stayed in my room and did hundreds of problems. What do you know, straight A's in all of these classes.
 
for orgo, the key is to master the concepts!!! try to stay ontop w/ reading/hw. do a LOT OF PRACTICE!!!. and spend a lot of time on it.

My friend got A in orgo I and II while i didn't, the only difference i found between us was that she could figure out the mechanism of just about all the reactions we learned while i couldn't so I had to memorize. I would always be close but i might draw a few wrong arrows. She'd always get them and thats really showed up on the exams when professor gave hard mechanism problems!!
 
An alternative way to getting A's in these subjects is always asking for bonus assignments that would add significantly to your grades.
 
libraryismyhome said:
(1) Avoid hard professors by using Ratemyprofessors

(2) finish reading the first 3 chapters before starting class

(3) Always keep yourself ahead by a chapter

(4) do every single text problem

(5) old exams,, use your frat bros to get them
Click to expand...
The other points I'm +/- on, but while I generally wouldn't pre-read in college, in Orgo it was time VERY well spent, as I could then actually know what was going on in lecture rather than just feeling lost.
 
I'd probably agree about keeping yourself ahead by a chapter, if not for the material itself, for the confidence it gives you that you are ahead of 98% of people.
 
I wish I'd had the ACS orgo study book throughout first and second semester, it summarizes the info decently and the sample problems are a nice supplement to your books problems. The fact that it explains common mistakes is also pretty useful and it's only about $20
 
The difference between my first W in college and my A+/A+ in the Organic series was memorizing reagents and doing tons of freaking problems.
 
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Organic Chem as a Second Language by David Klein ftw
 
For OP:
In physics I used the Oxford physics dictionary. For orgo I had amazing class notes (the instructors were incredible), but I'm surprised at how people are saying models were useless. I used them all the time and also tore papers up during exams to use as bonds/models/etc.

mrdrdrjp said:
I didn't really do that much outside of class. No extra materials or extra problems. My best suggestion though is just like what I tell everyone I tutor: the key is to make sure that you do not just try and memorize things. Learn to understand it with logic and work your way to conclusions. Apply gen. chem concepts and other things to make the reactions make sense. I do the same thing as a math major. I don't memorize equations, I learn to develop the equations from other previous math concepts. I feel like that really is the best approach for organic chemistry. As a rule "STUDY SMART, NOT HARD."

I hope that makes sense.
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This is great advice and also how I like to tutor. I went through all of physics without memorizing a single formula and used dimensional analysis most of the time to figure things out. With enough practice/tutoring, though, I've memorized a few formula.

I always ask my students to think about if an answer "makes sense". e.g. no wave should have a calculated speed higher than light or near it, and if it's near the speed of sound ask if it should be.
 
Hmm, I did get an A/A+ in my organic chemistry and physics classes. I would say that key to success in these two subjects is mastery of the theories and consistent practice. People can say memorize, but that will only get you so far...it is crucial to understand concepts and take the time to practice them in a variety of different applications.

I have to agree with the handful of students that said supplemental text is not necessary. if someone is already struggling with concepts, he/she should make sure to go to lecture, read the book to understand/bolster what was said in lecture, and then ask the professor or TAs for help if necessary. Supplemental text is exactly that, supplemental, which is "too much" to digest in addition to lecture and assigned reading.

One little tidbit my o-chem TA (grad stud) provided me (after the class was over since we're now friends) is that it takes a unique type of person to handle it well and if you're not that kind of person, you'll either not do well or just have to work extra extra hard to understand the material. Time investment into the material is key...honestly, I know it sucks since we're undergrads and feel a desire to "live"..mais, c'est la vie.
 
two words. Walter Lewin.

go to MIT OpenCourseWare, and watch the lectures by this professor.


awesome.
 
Charles English said:
two words. Walter Lewin.

go to MIT OpenCourseWare, and watch the lectures by this professor.


awesome.
Click to expand...

True, I almost forgot about this. Walter Lewin is a great professor, but it is the ability to play a whole year worth of physics in the comfort of your home at your convenience that makes this source so valuable.
 
IR,NMR,and UV is kicking my ass at this very moment...
 
Most chemists just like to assume they obtained their desired product - not prove it 🙄
 
mrdrdrjp said:
I didn't really do that much outside of class. No extra materials or extra problems. My best suggestion though is just like what I tell everyone I tutor: the key is to make sure that you do not just try and memorize things. Learn to understand it with logic and work your way to conclusions. Apply gen. chem concepts and other things to make the reactions make sense. I do the same thing as a math major. I don't memorize equations, I learn to develop the equations from other previous math concepts. I feel like that really is the best approach for organic chemistry. As a rule "STUDY SMART, NOT HARD."

I hope that makes sense.
Click to expand...

As a former orgo TA, I second that. Simply trying to memorize mechanisms is an inefficient way of studying for any subject IMO. You need to know the basics of electronegativity and e- movements, and that will allow you to reproduce correct mechanisms when you need them. I mean some memorization is required, but definitely not nearly as much as some people say...
 
Danlee07 said:
IR,NMR,and UV is kicking my ass at this very moment...
Click to expand...

You just need to practice with some problems, and after a while, you will get used to them, and a lot of these problems will hardly be more difficult than simple algebra problems... FOR NMR problems, getting a plenty of practice is the key...
 
loveoforganic said:
Most chemists just like to assume they obtained their desired product - not prove it 🙄
Click to expand...

Don't labs have automated analysis stuff these days anyway though? I mean obviously if your getting a PhD in chemistry you would need to learn this stuff, but it just seems beyond pointless for undergrad.

(And don't even get me started on Physical Chem lab IR/NMR - that was just painful and so archaic that I had to find textbooks written in German from the 40's to actually see how to do certain calculations by hand)
 
I used MIT's Open CourseWare for Physics. Just find their pre med physics equivalent. I did the lectures
 
I bought the solution manual for my orgo book and sat down and worked out the logic behind a bunch of problems before each exam. It helps that I'm genuinely interested in chemical interactions.
As for physics, its far and away my favorite subject and its probably the only thing that interests me more than medicine. Getting an A was no problem because studying wasn't work, but leisure.
 
For both Organic and Physics, I had a similar approach that others had.

-Use the solutions manual for the text you are using. Even work the examples given throughout the reading because there are often detailed steps used to arrive at the correct solution.
-Check to see if the textbook company you are using offers additional instruction and practice problems online because it is often free with the book.
-If your professor uses an online assignment/supplement program, repeat any missed problems until you understand them.
-Visit the professor's office hours with proof of your attempts to solve any questions - this could also be helpful in obtaining a good letter of reference as well!
-Utilize any supplementary instructor or tutor to work more practice problems or assist with homework.
-Join a study group.
-Repetition is the key to being able to recognize and correctly solve any rxn or problem.

Hope this is of some help. Good luck.
 
The only thing that will help you in Orgo is if you drill the problems. Everything else is a matter of comfort and "tricks" but just learn it the way it is presented in the textbook since that is what is likely to show up on exams. And I haven't taken Physics yet but I am hoping for the best :luck:
 
sonia1177 said:
The only thing that will help you in Orgo is if you drill the problems. Everything else is a matter of comfort and "tricks" but just learn it the way it is presented in the textbook since that is what is likely to show up on exams. And I haven't taken Physics yet but I am hoping for the best :luck:
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I agree with this. Also, physics works the same way 🙂
 
Primate Bonobo said:
IF you used a supplement (besides classroom textbook), and you think it helped you, can you give me the names/authors and maybe a quick info about the books and how it helped you?

I'm asking for my cousin who is going to take both classes next year. He is looking at reviews on amazon.com and perused some books at the bookstore, but is still unsure which is the ideal supplement. I'd help him, but I stuck to just classroom texts and lectures when taking these classes (and kind of wish I had looked at outside resources.)
Click to expand...

Use these free videos:

http://www.freelance-teacher.com/videos.htm
 
This might be a little off-topic, but I'm curious - to someone who has taken calc 2, is the style of learning the material (series/etc.) similar to that of orgo/physics. It just kind of seems similar to me (I'm taking orgo next year), in terms of pattern recognition. Thanks
 
Primate Bonobo said:
IF you used a supplement (besides classroom textbook), and you think it helped you, can you give me the names/authors and maybe a quick info about the books and how it helped you?

I'm asking for my cousin who is going to take both classes next year. He is looking at reviews on amazon.com and perused some books at the bookstore, but is still unsure which is the ideal supplement. I'd help him, but I stuck to just classroom texts and lectures when taking these classes (and kind of wish I had looked at outside resources.)
Click to expand...

There's no "magic recipe." People ask for this for weight loss all the time, and spend billions every year on "Slimquick" and "Xenedrine," when all they need to do is work out and seriously cut calories to lose weight.

Physics and orgo are the two prime examples of this: go home, don't go overboard reading, and just DO PROBLEMS. Working through problems is to pre-med success as running (without later gorging on junk food) is to weight loss. Hell, the analogy goes further than that...consider a 10K race. A big guy who runs every day will almost definitely do better than a naturally thin person who doesn't run.

Studying is like that. Practice makes perfect. No secret recipe, no magic. Just work. Don't waste money on extraneous material. Just attend classes, figure out what you NEED to know, and practice. Anyone who can't master that CAN'T master medicine. Intelligence and capability of "cramming" difficult material in a short time is basically useless. Medicine is about practicing incessantly, and nothing else. So it's best to start with good study skills.
 
I just got done with the O-chem series. First, please don't call it "Orgo" because it really sounds stupid when people do. Aside from that, I improved each quarter, going B-, B+, A-. I started using flashcards halfway through the second quarter. The first quarter I could get by (barely) on being a pretty good student; after that it sucked. I made flashcards of every relevant reaction, and got those down cold. Then I went back to the mechanism and memorized that. It makes more sense when you know what the product is, and can find a way to get there. After that, the concepts came pretty easy. My O-chem professors didn't like it when people memorized, but what they didn't know didn't hurt them.
 
Midwestern Blot said:
I wouldn't think a supplement text would be necessary. Going to the lectures and the professor/TA's office hours should be sufficient. That will save you money unless you require tutoring.
Click to expand...

Second this...I felt the textbooks my school used for both courses were sufficient.

Good lucK!
 
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