How much harder does OChem 1 get?

[tn4596]

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The difficulty of O-Chem is very overstated. I think there's a prevailing trend amongst pre-med's to be douchebags and instill fear to quell potential competition. Mechanisms, structure, and nomenclature... period. Above all, rote memorization. It's not that hard. Pushing arrows and predicting products... it's almost like a puzzle or game. I'd say the stereochemistry aspect of the course is something that either comes to you naturally or does not.

Right... Rote memorization
You must have had an easy prof. Did he gave you "here is the reaction, fill in the blank" kind of test? I still remember having to do all kind of synthesis (here are the reactants, draw out how it can lead to compound X), reverse synthesis (here is the product, draw out how it can be made from common lab reagent and reactants). Of course, there are about 15 ways to go about doing these problems. Class avg always hover around 55-60. Most of my classmates didn't finish their tests.

 

[kpcrew]

The difficulty of O-Chem is very overstated. I think there's a prevailing trend amongst pre-med's to be douchebags and instill fear to quell potential competition. Mechanisms, structure, and nomenclature... period. Above all, rote memorization. It's not that hard. Pushing arrows and predicting products... it's almost like a puzzle or game. I'd say the stereochemistry aspect of the course is something that either comes to you naturally or does not.

In retrospect, it was very manageable but I remember it being conceptually difficult when I first started. I think a lot of it depends on how well you can visualize things like changes in the molecules or how electrons move in chemical reactions.

 

[music2doc]

Right... Rote memorization
You must have had an easy prof. Did he gave you "here is the reaction, fill in the blank" kind of test? I still remember having to do all kind of synthesis (here are the reactants, draw out how it can lead to compound X), reverse synthesis (here is the product, draw out how it can be made from common lab reagent and reactants). Of course, there are about 15 ways to go about doing these problems. Class avg always hover around 55-60. Most of my classmates didn't finish their tests.

That's just poor teaching or mediocre students. No matter the difficulty, class averages in the failing range in ochem just don't make sense. That means the prof didn't teach properly or give the necessary resources for students to be successful. I definitely don't advocate averages in the 80s or 90s either, but averages in the 50s and 60s are usually not the sign of a difficult but well-taught course in my experience.

 

[tn4596]

That's just poor teaching or mediocre students. No matter the difficulty, class averages in the failing range in ochem just don't make sense. That means the prof didn't teach properly or give the necessary resources for students to be successful. I definitely don't advocate averages in the 80s or 90s either, but averages in the 50s and 60s are usually not the sign of a difficult but well-taught course in my experience.

Personally, I thought the prof teach the course incredibly well (this was a ochem class for Chem major, he needs to make sure we all get it, there are also only ~15 students in the class), it is just that his tests are also equally hard. Fortunately, this class is curved. So 80s would equal to As at this point.

 

[kpcrew]

That's just poor teaching or mediocre students. No matter the difficulty, class averages in the failing range in ochem just don't make sense. That means the prof didn't teach properly or give the necessary resources for students to be successful. I definitely don't advocate averages in the 80s or 90s either, but averages in the 50s and 60s are usually not the sign of a difficult but well-taught course in my experience.

It seems that the professor is looking for future organic chemistry grad students. It sounds like he's trying to get the undergrads to get comfortable with applying what they've learned rather than just regurgitating it but he's not giving them enough time to figure everything out. It leads to deeper understanding of the material but it's not necessary for medical students.

 

[clothcut]

Right... Rote memorization
You must have had an easy prof. Did he gave you "here is the reaction, fill in the blank" kind of test? I still remember having to do all kind of synthesis (here are the reactants, draw out how it can lead to compound X), reverse synthesis (here is the product, draw out how it can be made from common lab reagent and reactants). Of course, there are about 15 ways to go about doing these problems. Class avg always hover around 55-60. Most of my classmates didn't finish their tests.

I stated rote memorization is essential in OChem because you obtain the solid foundation to then use critical-thinking to make it applicable to seemingly unfamiliar scenarios. A good conceptual base is essential in a course like that. And yes, my tests have required all of the abovementioned. Like I said before, I liken it to a puzzle and I've managed to get an A in the first semester and an A thus far in the second part. I'm not denying that OChem is a difficult class... my issue stems with the broader issue of pre-meds always bitching about classes and deterring others when these classes are, in actuality, manageable (to an extent) for most people if they put the work in.

 

[Stumpyman]

Do you all recommend model kits? Organic would we be the only course I'd ever use it for, but is it even worth the $17? I didn't really have a problem "visualizing" with the first exam, but I don't know about the rest of 'em.

 

[kpcrew]

Do you all recommend model kits? Organic would we be the only course I'd ever use it for, but is it even worth the $17? I didn't really have a problem "visualizing" with the first exam, but I don't know about the rest of 'em.

Nope. They take forever to put together. Then you have to take them apart. The main disadvantage is that they don't really help. A better use of your time would be to just google the structures or if your library has resources like chemdraw, then you can draw them out. They have a small learning curve but are fairly straightforward and easy to use. You can also switch between different views like stick/ball models or space filling, which have their own advantages and disadvantages (for example, being able to see how atoms fill up space vs seeing how the different various bonds keep the molecule together).

 

[clothcut]

Do you all recommend model kits? Organic would we be the only course I'd ever use it for, but is it even worth the $17? I didn't really have a problem "visualizing" with the first exam, but I don't know about the rest of 'em.

It's not really useful, unless you want a more visual way of seeing things like enantiomeric compounds/chirality. If you can spatially see that without needing a 3d model, then it isn't necessary. If you want to save money, though, you should buy gum drops and toothpicks. For about $2-3, they do the trick just as well... 👍

 

[allcle4r]

That feel when you bought a $30 model kit and haven't touched it all semester. 🙁 Teacher said to bring it in for class one day... like the silly ***** I am, I went and bought the kit that very day. She never got around to it and promptly forgot about it.

 

[cuculici1]

The first few weeks of organic chemistry are by far the easiest portion of the year. For our first midterm, the class average was a 91. For all other midterms the rest of the year, the class average was usually somewhere in the 60's. What you're doing now is laying the foundation for everything for the rest of the year. Organic chemistry is a class that builds on itself, so it is always a good idea to keep up with the material. Since you got an A on the first test, you're already off to a good start so good job!

I remember getting an A on my first test as well after just a few hours of studying, and thinking "What is all the fuss about organic chemistry? That wasn't bad at all." Made the mistake of trying to study the same amount for the second test, and got a 50. That was probably one of my more humbling experiences in undergrad. I remember walking out of that test thinking, "Ah, so this is organic chemistry!". Kind of felt like getting hit by a train. Fortunately my professor dropped your lowest exam score, so I was still able to rally and get a decent grade. Let's just say once you start doing your first synthesis and mechanism problems, that's when **** hits the fan.

We used McMurry as our textbook, and these were some of my favorite quotations:

"Different people take different approaches to learning reactions. Some people make flash cards; others find studying with friends to be helpful. Fundamentally, though, there are no shortcuts. Learning organic chemistry does take effort."

"Planning an organic synthesis has been compared to playing chess. There are no tricks; all that's required is a knowledge of the allowable moves (the organic reactions) and the discipline to plan ahead, carefully evaluating the consequences of each move. Practicing may not be easy, but it's a great way to learn organic chemistry."

You know that when a textbook tells you to study hard, you are in for quite a ride. Organic chemistry was a lot of work, but it was also one of my favorite classes in undergrad. If you like it and work at it regularly, it should be pretty doable.

 

[Titleist MD]

If you got an A on the first one that's a good sign you understand the basics. Now as you start to get into mechanisms of reactions make sure you understand them back to these basics and you will be set. The class definitely gets harder but not nearly as bad as orgo 2. Take it immediately after orgo 1 or you will deeply regret it..

Note: Orgo 1 was easy for me. Hadn't taken chemistry in two years but still only studied 2 days before every exam and got an A on all of them (curve included of course).

 

[UCSultanPepper]

I'm on the quarter system, and for me, the second quarter of organic was by far the hardest. This was substituted benzene rings, lots of mechanisms, etc, but it is very much doable. If you work really hard at the beginning and solidify the concepts the rest fits into place. Do lots of practice problems and when solving a problem always think of a plausible mechanism in your head. This gives you the logic and flow of orgo, which makes it much more intuitive. It also makes reviewing orgo for MCAT way easier.

 

[orgohacks]

how much harder does ochem I get over the semester? just got back first exam and made an A easily. it covered resonance, quantum mechanics, R/S, stereochemistry, and alkane nomenclature.

Don't get overconfident. The first few weeks are not that bad. The course starts hitting an inflection point about halfway through, when you start talking about reactions. Then you'll be asked to apply all you've learned about conformations, stereochemistry, resonance, acid-base, etc. towards them, and with every new reaction there are more connections to draw. This happens around the time of your other midterms too. Don't get caught unprepared.