I is be confused

[Ignatius M.D.]

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I've been doing quite well in Orgo. Before I took it I heard the horror stories, but last semester I got an A-, and this semester I'm headed that way again (92% on second test-60 something class average-which is the hardest). So my question is: how can I destroy organic exams, and either struggle to get a 70 in physics, or like this week, bomb it like nothing has been bombed before? It really seems incongruous. I realize that the two subjects are quite different, but I always thought orgo was the mother of all pre-reqs and physics was supposed to be manageable. At this point, a B- would be fantastic in Physics. I don't want a repeat of last semester where I had all A's and one C+ (shakes fist at calculus). How much will doing really well in Bio/Orgo/Neuroscience offset my crappy calc grade and looming crappy physics grade?

 

[Astarael]

I've been doing quite well in Orgo. Before I took it I heard the horror stories, but last semester I got an A-, and this semester I'm headed that way again (92% on second test-60 something class average-which is the hardest). So my question is: how can I destroy organic exams, and either struggle to get a 70 in physics, or like this week, bomb it like nothing has been bombed before? It really seems incongruous. I realize that the two subjects are quite different, but I always thought orgo was the mother of all pre-reqs and physics was supposed to be manageable. At this point, a B- would be fantastic in Physics. I don't want a repeat of last semester where I had all A's and one C+ (shakes fist at calculus). How much will doing really well in Bio/Orgo/Neuroscience offset my crappy calc grade and looming crappy physics grade?

I have no idea to what extent you can offset a bad physics/calc grade with other pre-reqs. As to your other question, I think you've already answered it yourself. Organic chemistry and physics are very different sciences. Everybody's mind works differently, and you have a different aptitude for different subjects.

 

[transfec]

I've been doing quite well in Orgo. Before I took it I heard the horror stories, but last semester I got an A-, and this semester I'm headed that way again (92% on second test-60 something class average-which is the hardest). So my question is: how can I destroy organic exams, and either struggle to get a 70 in physics, or like this week, bomb it like nothing has been bombed before? It really seems incongruous. I realize that the two subjects are quite different, but I always thought orgo was the mother of all pre-reqs and physics was supposed to be manageable. At this point, a B- would be fantastic in Physics. I don't want a repeat of last semester where I had all A's and one C+ (shakes fist at calculus). How much will doing really well in Bio/Orgo/Neuroscience offset my crappy calc grade and looming crappy physics grade?

Maybe you pushed yourself especially hard to do well in Orgo, thinking it would be the "mother of all pre-reqs," and didn't give it your best in physics? Only you would know that.

Different people have different strengths. I doubt you'll get more than that on here.

You can calculate your GPA and projected GPA on your own.

 

[Glucagon]

I've been doing quite well in Orgo. Before I took it I heard the horror stories, but last semester I got an A-, and this semester I'm headed that way again (92% on second test-60 something class average-which is the hardest). So my question is: how can I destroy organic exams, and either struggle to get a 70 in physics, or like this week, bomb it like nothing has been bombed before? It really seems incongruous. I realize that the two subjects are quite different, but I always thought orgo was the mother of all pre-reqs and physics was supposed to be manageable. At this point, a B- would be fantastic in Physics. I don't want a repeat of last semester where I had all A's and one C+ (shakes fist at calculus). How much will doing really well in Bio/Orgo/Neuroscience offset my crappy calc grade and looming crappy physics grade?

What are your Physics exams like -- are they more problem-based or conceptual-based? I feel like a lot of kids study how to substitute variables into equations and therefore struggle with the conceptual aspect of physics. Or maybe Orgo just comes more natural for you to comprehend. Either way, I'd re-assess how you prepare for your physics exams.

By the way, love the avatar + location combo.
"Yes, my good man, I’ll have the milk steak, boiled over hard, and your finest jelly beans ... raw." Charlie Kelly = nominee for funniest character on television.

 

[Suncrusher]

I've been doing quite well in Orgo. Before I took it I heard the horror stories, but last semester I got an A-, and this semester I'm headed that way again (92% on second test-60 something class average-which is the hardest). So my question is: how can I destroy organic exams, and either struggle to get a 70 in physics, or like this week, bomb it like nothing has been bombed before? It really seems incongruous. I realize that the two subjects are quite different, but I always thought orgo was the mother of all pre-reqs and physics was supposed to be manageable. At this point, a B- would be fantastic in Physics. I don't want a repeat of last semester where I had all A's and one C+ (shakes fist at calculus). How much will doing really well in Bio/Orgo/Neuroscience offset my crappy calc grade and looming crappy physics grade?

Do you have Helms for physics? lol

 

[Lil Mick]

Just a thought--are you taking calc-based physics? If so, a lack of preparation for a math-heavy course (or being a less math-oriented person) may be the source of your trouble. Also, as others have mentioned, have you been studying as hard for physics as ochem? Physics usually requires a more conceptual approach to learning than the memorization necessary for organic chemistry. If you are spending a good amount of time on physics, perhaps you are approaching it as you do organic chemistry/biology... rather than in a conceptual, relationship-based manner.

 

[movax]

A lot of people roll over and die in Phys2 after acing Phys1, too. Not sure why, but about 60% of my class failed. 😕

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

What are your Physics exams like -- are they more problem-based or conceptual-based? I feel like a lot of kids study how to substitute variables into equations and therefore struggle with the conceptual aspect of physics. Or maybe Orgo just comes more natural for you to comprehend. Either way, I'd re-assess how you prepare for your physics exams.

By the way, love the avatar + location combo.
"Yes, my good man, I'll have the milk steak, boiled over hard, and your finest jelly beans ... raw." Charlie Kelly = nominee for funniest character on television.

I absolutely agree. "I'm a full on rapist" . It's half complicated calculations (straight forward problems that have little things tweaked to make them tricky) and half qualitative multiple choice that can range from easy to mystifying.

Just a thought--are you taking calc-based physics? If so, a lack of preparation for a math-heavy course (or being a less math-oriented person) may be the source of your trouble. Also, as others have mentioned, have you been studying as hard for physics as ochem? Physics usually requires a more conceptual approach to learning than the memorization necessary for organic chemistry. If you are spending a good amount of time on physics, perhaps you are approaching it as you do organic chemistry/biology... rather than in a conceptual, relationship-based manner.

I think you and others are probably right. I loathe math, and while I do spend a good amount of time studying, I spend more doing orgo. Vanderbilt does not separate physics into calc-based and general physics. I took Gen physics II (out of order, I know) at my old school, and got an easy B. It's harder here, it's calc-based, and I'm finding it hard to beat the curve for a class made up of 80% engineers. I don't know what else to do besides up the study time really. Luckily I got my physics from my old school approved by the director of neuroscience, so I will be done after this semester.

 

[mauberley]

I'm finding it hard to beat the curve for a class made up of 80% engineers.

I think this is your culprit right here.

 

[circulus vitios]

They're two completely different classes. I did well in physics but I sucked (and am still sucking) in organic chemistry.

 

[Geneticist]

Let me guess -- you're good at sociology, psychology, biology, chemistry, and organic chemistry but struggle with physics and math?

Seems to me like you're a conceptual thinker like I am. For me, memorizing dozens of pages of notes in a timely fashion and regurgitating them on an exam is easy, but tell me to integrate a cylindrical shell, and I'll tell you to go f*ck yourself because I just can't do it. You're probably the same way.

I've yet to find a conceptual class that I suck at or an applied class that I'm good at. That's just the nature of the beast...

 

[RelicLTD]

Opposite for me. I breezed through Calc and Physics, but O-Chem II blew my face off.

Solve physics problems like so:

Draw a picture.
What do you know?
What are you looking for?
What equation do you need to get there?
Done.

 

[Buttermellow]

Orgo was challenging for me, but I had a fantastic professor that made it interesting and somewhat easier. I found physics easy compared to how my classmates did, I think a lot of it was that I did practice problems out of the textbook so no matter what the test threw at me I knew the concepts and could adapt what I'd already done to fit the problem.

That, or just bribe your prof.

 

[getdown]

It is different between schools and even between professors within the same department. Some schools take pride in making it ridiculously hard while other schools are more manageable. Yes, the concepts are the same but HOW they test them is the big distinguishing factor.

Geneticist,that's one ugly looking boob you got there buddy. You should get your liver checked out to make sure it's still working fine

 

[docelh]

Each of the four pre-reqs emphasizes a different type of learning.

 

[CurrySpice]

Very different subjects. Both emphasize problem-solving with substantial amounts of memorization. However, they do emphasize different types of understanding. I earned As in both semesters of Orgo, Physics I and have a 97% in physics II after the 1st (absurdly easy) exam. I suppose it does all depend on your university too. Calc-based physics is a beast at my school, so I chose to take algebra-based physics and ace the classes.

 

[ReptarBar]

its because you dont have problem-solving skills. thats about it.

 

[docelh]

Biology - pure memorization within conceptual frameworks.
Physics - mathematical analysis
Organic - qualitative analysis
Gen Chem - Quasi qualitatitve/quantitative analysis

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

Let me guess -- you're good at sociology, psychology, biology, chemistry, and organic chemistry but struggle with physics and math?

Yes. It's a bit frustrating since in bio/orgo you have applied problems, but they are of a much different nature than math. I think physics/math problem solving is less useful than orgo/bio problem solving skills for medicine, but that is also a bit of self-serving going on.

its because you dont have problem-solving skills. thats about it.

I think you nailed it. I'm switching majors from neuroscience to janitorial studies. Highlights serve to emphasize your grammar skills.

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

Very different subjects. Both emphasize problem-solving with substantial amounts of memorization. However, they do emphasize different types of understanding. I earned As in both semesters of Orgo, Physics I and have a 97% in physics II after the 1st (absurdly easy) exam. I suppose it does all depend on your university too. Calc-based physics is a beast at my school, so I chose to take algebra-based physics and ace the classes.

Yea, apparently Vandy did offer the two types, but a few years before my time we decided they were similar enough to combine them. I think it's a bad idea since calc-based physics is of no additional utility to someone with no inherent interest in mathematics. If you are a math-oriented student it will help you understand better, but if you just need a broad knowledge of physical principles it is basically two semesters of overly involved work.

 

[ReptarBar]

Yes. It's a bit frustrating since in bio/orgo you have applied problems, but they are of a much different nature than math. I think physics/math problem solving is less useful than orgo/bio problem solving skills for medicine, but that is also a bit of self-serving going on.



I think you nailed it. I'm switching majors from neuroscience to janitorial studies. Highlights serve to emphasize your grammar skills.

zzz this is forum speech. you dont know anything about my grammar skills. what i do know, however, is that you are bad at physics. nice gpa.

 

[n3xa]

Opposite for me. I breezed through Calc and Physics, but O-Chem II blew my face off.

Solve physics problems like so:

Draw a picture.
What do you know?
What are you looking for?
What equation do you need to get there?
Done.

Organic chemistry can be applied in the same manner, minus the equation bit. You can definitely see who "gets" it in second semester when students go through the carbonyl derivatives bit. I notice a lot more attempts at pushing electrons on exams.

I have this molecule and these reagents.. what's more likely to happen?

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

zzz this is forum speech. you dont know anything about my grammar skills. what i do know, however, is that you are bad at physics. nice gpa.

I know you know. In fact, I was the one that told you. Yea, my GPA last year was not ideal I will admit. Unless you go to my school, you know nothing about the level of difficulty anyway.

 

[RelicLTD]

Organic chemistry can be applied in the same manner, minus the equation bit. You can definitely see who "gets" it in second semester when students go through the carbonyl derivatives bit. I notice a lot more attempts at pushing electrons on exams.

I have this molecule and these reagents.. what's more likely to happen?

I'm in the pack that doesn't get it. I'm also one of those students who has 4 or 5 different synthetic pathways scribbled out on the exam.
Are you going to get more Ortho/para/meta? Is this ring activating, or deactivating? I was fine with all of that. The hard hitting "named" reactions are where I got lost. Anything past Diels-Alder and I'm toast.

My conclusion is that O-Chem I isn't really O-Chem at all. It's a basic extension of Gen. Chem, and lays the basic framework. O-Chem II is where the real chemistry happens, and I was terrible at it.

 

[Godric]

Woah, I am almost in the same position, but its my Bio class I am struggling with. I can read organic for hours on end and not mind it. But Biology, I can't. I have to take "breathers" in between. And the weird thing is I sucked at GChem.
I am in Orgo 2 right now and I did well on the first exam, all the work paid off, I got on A. And People look at me funny when I tell them, currently my favorite class is Orgo.
In Orgo 1, I started putting in the effort late, but I pulled up my grades, I double my exam grades. I got a 43% on the first exam, while the average was a 53%, second exam 83% with the average at 63% , final i got a 82% and I got a B for organic 1, while many of my friends got C. And my friends put in less work in bio and get near the same grades in our bio courses. I only scored 2 points higher than them, but I read way more, and did way more (I am only 1 point away from a B+ on that exam also, 🙁 ) I just dont seem to like bio the way I like orgo.
I havent taken physics yet, I am taking it in the summer, I am hope it sparks the same intrest orgo does.

 

[Buttermellow]

And the weird thing is I sucked at GChem.

I cannot stand gen chem. I've been studying it for the mcat and it is like torture. I don't understand it and am not interested at all. However, I just switched to studying orgo and I love it. Never thought I'd be saying that, but after gen chem it was just awesome.

 

[raltima07]

I cannot stand gen chem. I've been studying it for the mcat and it is like torture. I don't understand it and am not interested at all. However, I just switched to studying orgo and I love it. Never thought I'd be saying that, but after gen chem it was just awesome.

+1 - I hate it!!!!!

 

[zeppelinpage4]

I cannot stand gen chem. I've been studying it for the mcat and it is like torture. I don't understand it and am not interested at all. However, I just switched to studying orgo and I love it. Never thought I'd be saying that, but after gen chem it was just awesome.

Couldn't agree more Organic>>Gen Chem

And in my school almost every science major loves organic (even the ones that don't do too well) but physics makes people cry so I can relate with the TS.
Though this semester both organic II and physics II are keeping me up late with the books. 😛

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

Couldn't agree more Organic>>Gen Chem

I defintely learned more in o chem than g chem, but g chem keeps coming up in other classes so eventually it gets easier.

 

[Deathstar]

How did you end up doing in physics vandy?