how did you study for OC?

[NguyenDDS]

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Chad's GC video are beyond spectacular 😍

However,
I'm currently watching Chad's OC videos... his first several videos were okay. But when he starting going into reactions, my brain ran away from my skull.

I don't know how to learn from his OC videos.

Will I be okay with just straight-up memorizing the reactions?
(i.e. which is Anti-mark, mark, anti-add, syn-add, which reagent is a great nucleophile, a great base, etc...)

I was planning to write ALL the reactions as a list... and then just memorize them and learn what they do. I will worry about spectroscopy/NMR after. I don't know how else to do it or to learn OC.

Any suggestions, feedback, comments? Any is appreciate, THANKS! 🙂

 

[dentalWorks]

There is 2 ways I am aware of that you can learn Orgo

1) memorize reactions like a photographic memory (very hard for me)
2) Learn the mechanism of action of the different groups (much easier for me)

I hit KBB for orgo, made like 30 sheets worth of notes, most of them were the reactions along with their mechanism. After I was done with KBB, I hit Destroyer orgo section (about 20-40 problems a day). I went through destroyer 2.5 times (Might have been more, don't remember).... Everytime I came across a reaction I didn't remember, I would look over my notes, it would be there, and that helped reinforce the mechanisms.

 

[NguyenDDS]

There is 2 ways I am aware of that you can learn Orgo

1) memorize reactions like a photographic memory (very hard for me)
2) Learn the mechanism of action of the different groups (much easier for me)

I hit KBB for orgo, made like 30 sheets worth of notes, most of them were the reactions along with their mechanism. After I was done with KBB, I hit Destroyer orgo section (about 20-40 problems a day). I went through destroyer 2.5 times (Might have been more, don't remember).... Everytime I came across a reaction I didn't remember, I would look over my notes, it would be there, and that helped reinforce the mechanisms.

Thanks!!! 🙂 I will try that instead of watching Chad's OC videos (I feel like I'm wasting a lot of time watching because I'm not learning the reactions from them). I'll make a long list of all the reactions, memorize them all. Keep doing destroyer, and rinse and repeat 👍

 

[RCLEE]

Don't just memorize reactions and mechanisms. Know the concepts! I'm sure half of your questions will not be on rxns/mechanisms.

 

[michaelamae1]

Don't just memorize reactions and mechanisms. Know the concepts! I'm sure half of your questions will not be on rxns/mechanisms.

I know this may sound kind of dumb but when you say concepts I really don't understand what you mean. Can you give me an example by what you mean by rxns/ mechanisms/ concepts. I just need to really differentiate between the three. Thanks!!!😱

 

[RCLEE]

I meant not to remember just the reactants, reagents, and products. You should know the rules such as the base strength and depends on in what environment. NMR, IR, lab stuffs, how will the mp and bp and reactivity of alkene and alkyne as well as terminal/internal differences.

Basically, just know them all 😀. You rather be over-prepared than under-prepared.

 

[wired202808]

dentalworks, did you use Chad's for OC? Do you feel he is better than KBB for orgo? I'm doing a thorough review of Orgo now (since my prof is so behind that I dont know all the advanced reactions.) Just wanted your input on the best way to review it because I feel like Chad's review for OC is not as good or as easy to understand.

Let me know your thoughts.

 

[Muggsy Bogues]

Chad's and Destroyer. Literally all you need. Then take the practice tests from Top Score and/or Achiever and you will literally know how to do every single question (or at least be very familiar) on OC.

 

[Muggsy Bogues]

I know this may sound kind of dumb but when you say concepts I really don't understand what you mean. Can you give me an example by what you mean by rxns/ mechanisms/ concepts. I just need to really differentiate between the three. Thanks!!!😱

All too often when it comes to OC people focus on memorizing stuff. While you need to certainly memorize a bit it helps exponentially if you understand the bigger picture... how are electrons distributed across bonds and molecules.

OC is all about electron distribution.