I keep getting A's in chemistry and B's in biology...

[yeezuswest]

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Hi guys, I was wondering if someone could give me some advice on what I'm doing wrong so I can fix this before my GPA continues to take hits. I'm a biology major working in a lab, and I really do love the subject, more so than chemistry. For some reason, however, I am able to easily get over 100% on most of my chemistry exams (General chem/Organic I) yet in most of my Biology courses I am struggling to get an A-. I'm not interested in changing my major to Chemistry, but at the moment it seems like my best option to keep my sGPA up.

Any advice on study habits for biology vs. chemistry?

 

[electrophile1984]

When studying bio I would tell myself stories about concepts (out loud) to make sure I thoroughly understood everything. Once I could talk about a concept in depth, I would then memorize all the 'terms' within the concept.

This way, it didn't feel like cramming a bunch of random facts into my head - I could actually picture what each components purpose was.

I would also make lists of terms that were associated with each other - actually writing the terms out (not typing on a computer) imprinted them into my memory better.

 

[HCHopeful]

This could just be the simple fact that your Bio professors/classes are harder than their Chem counterparts. Although there is a stark contrast to the two in terms of learning.

Bio tends to be more straight up memorization while Organic/Gen Chem are topics that can be thoroughly learned conceptually. I rarely studied for Organic and scored above the 95th percentile on the ACS Standardized exam. That was because I understood it completely conceptually. In Gen Bio, though, it took me much more time to nail the specifics because there tends to be more separate facts. Then again, Med A&P was nice because you could connect things somewhat conceptually since they are all systems.

I would recommend that you just actively engage yourself in learning Bio. So many people I know simply read and re-read their notes thinking it helps. I like to read a section/fact and then actively remember it and recite it in my head. I'll then read another, recite the FIRST fact I learned and then recite the new. I then do this for all of my studying. This way I am constantly revisiting the topics (review has been shown to increase retention) as well as actively making my mind remember these facts instead of just reading them over and over again.

I learned this method while studying for the MCAT, and it has made all of my classes immensely easier. Hope it helps you!

 

[NeuResurgens]

You may have a more analytical mind than a mind geared toward memorization. I'd say memorization is more easily learned than thinking analytically, so this could be beneficial to you. You'll need to try more memorization strategies to internalize the material and then practice manipulating/combining concepts to solve problems.

 

[deleted577188]

Change your major to chemistry. If med school doesn't work out you'll be glad you studied chem instead of bio (my opinion, of course).

 

[GrapesofRath]

Change your major to chemistry. If med school doesn't work out you'll be glad you studied chem instead of bio (my opinion, of course).

There's a big difference between being good at organic chemistry vs physical chemistry and thermodynamics and the like. Something to consider. Upper level Chem classes are HARD. There are many medical students who aced ochem who would be sent to the wolves in p-Chen or thermo. Not everyone is built for these classes, you need a certain analytical gifted ability and to think a certain way many can't. Bio majors of course don't take any of these

I'd tell this to the OP also. its a different world in Chem once you start getting to pchem thermo and the like with calc 3 and calc based physics 2 being key. I've heard thermo and pchem called a lot of things----grade boosters and gpa savers are not really on the list.

If your issue is getting a few b's and a-'s to go along with you acing pre reqs like Chem and ochem you are fine. If you don't like the bio major and are committed to med school major in something else (even non science related perhaps) or if you really want take a stab at pchem and see how it goes---just be warned about it.

 

[ramifications]

Hi guys, I was wondering if someone could give me some advice on what I'm doing wrong so I can fix this before my GPA continues to take hits. I'm a biology major working in a lab, and I really do love the subject, more so than chemistry. For some reason, however, I am able to easily get over 100% on most of my chemistry exams (General chem/Organic I) yet in most of my Biology courses I am struggling to get an A-. I'm not interested in changing my major to Chemistry, but at the moment it seems like my best option to keep my sGPA up.

Any advice on study habits for biology vs. chemistry?

dude this is the same dilemma with me. Acing the chemistry and math but straight up getting Bs in bio. It's so annoying because it's not actually me. We have intro bio courses taught by 2 different professors that switch at half semester. It's so freaking annoying because A) They don't have clear instructions on studying B) when you get comfy with the first prof, the other on comes along. It seriously made me question why I ever went to a top uni where they just play mind games with you instead of teaching. It's always about weeding students out...atleast in chemistry and math they go by the chapter and they have clear expectations on what you need to know. Bio is just straight up bad instructors.

 

[HCHopeful]

dude this is the same dilemma with me. Acing the chemistry and math but straight up getting Bs in bio. It's so annoying because it's not actually me. We have intro bio courses taught by 2 different professors that switch at half semester. It's so freaking annoying because A) They don't have clear instructions on studying B) when you get comfy with the first prof, the other on comes along. It seriously made me question why I ever went to a top uni where they just play mind games with you instead of teaching. It's always about weeding students out...atleast in chemistry and math they go by the chapter and they have clear expectations on what you need to know. Bio is just straight up bad instructors.

Just so we're clear, that whole changing profs at semester isn't a "top uni" thing. My college does that and we are FAR from the top.

 

[HCHopeful]

There's a big difference between being good at organic chemistry vs physical chemistry and thermodynamics and the like. Something to consider. Upper level Chem classes are HARD. There are many medical students who aced ochem who would be sent to the wolves in p-Chen or thermo. Not everyone is built for these classes, you need a certain analytical gifted ability and to think a certain way many can't. Bio majors of course don't take any of these

I'd tell this to the OP also. its a different world in Chem once you start getting to pchem thermo and the like with calc 3 and calc based physics 2 being key. I've heard thermo and pchem called a lot of things----grade boosters and gpa savers are not really on the list.

If your issue is getting a few b's and a-'s to go along with you acing pre reqs like Chem and ochem you are fine. If you don't like the bio major and are committed to med school major in something else (even non science related perhaps) or if you really want take a stab at pchem and see how it goes---just be warned about it.

I really think you're overstating how difficult those particular classes are. But what do I know, I'm just a Bio major.

 

[ramifications]

Just so we're clear, that whole changing profs at semester isn't a "top uni" thing. My college does that and we are FAR from the top.

I understand but the professors and the method of teaching will differ immensely. We have faculty known for grading tough. That is the difference. It's super annoying because a point comes when you feel that their job is to really weed out students. They make you scared of the class from the beginning. It's a terrible technique. An intro math course (let's begin with calc 2) professor introduced his class with the saying that "if you do what I say you will get an A". Despite the fact that 14% of the class gets an A, it was enough for a student such as me to thrive for that grade and feel secure in learning. I wasn't playing mind games with myself in whether or not what I was taught in the class was just a low yield summary of what I would be tested on. I can't say the same feeling I get when I take a bio class. They make it sound as if their classes are chaos theory sessions that few will get...I mean it's really frustrating and also demoralizing when their books are no better to follow. Sometimes I question why chemistry and math folks can't just go over to the bio book makers on how to create a proper book with chapters that aren't filled with excrutiating detail that make you want to question your sanity in reading the details. The worst part is that there is no logic in memorizing or understand each concept because they hardly come together coherently enough like math and chemistry. I mean I have to ready 50 pages each chapter for chem but I come to bio and just reading 20 pages is like a punishment. I did though have a bio class where the prof made a presentation and I basically made my own notes out of it and wrote what she added to clarify the slides. Just by doing that I was able to get an A. Is that too hard? My notes came out to be longer than the book pages but they were so much more relevant and worth reading.

 

[deleted577188]

I really think you're overstating how difficult those particular classes are. But what do I know, I'm just a Bio major.

In addition to him overstating how tough those classes are, he loves to disagree with me on every other thread I respond to.

Those classes are like everything else- you study hard and you'll get the grade you deserve.

Also, I'm guessing people told you horror stories about how bad o chem was, and then you took it... And got A's!

Point is, you'll never know how good or bad you are at something until you take it. I'm not telling you flip flop between bio and chem for the next 2 years. I'm just saying don't be discouraged by people who never majored in chemistry telling you how horrible it is.

 

[deleted577188]

There's a big difference between being good at organic chemistry vs physical chemistry and thermodynamics and the like. Something to consider. Upper level Chem classes are HARD. There are many medical students who aced ochem who would be sent to the wolves in p-Chen or thermo. Not everyone is built for these classes, you need a certain analytical gifted ability and to think a certain way many can't. Bio majors of course don't take any of these

I'd tell this to the OP also. its a different world in Chem once you start getting to pchem thermo and the like with calc 3 and calc based physics 2 being key. I've heard thermo and pchem called a lot of things----grade boosters and gpa savers are not really on the list.

If your issue is getting a few b's and a-'s to go along with you acing pre reqs like Chem and ochem you are fine. If you don't like the bio major and are committed to med school major in something else (even non science related perhaps) or if you really want take a stab at pchem and see how it goes---just be warned about it.

You just love to disagree with me, don't you?

Chemistry is very different from biology. I never said they were the same. As a chemistry major who switched from biology, I would know first hand. You need to find better things to do with your time than refute anything and everything I say. You've "HEARD" they're hard, I'm guessing you haven't taken them.

As I told OP, if he/she studies hard they'll be fine.

You're a VERY negative individual and you give horrible advice might I add.

Edit: I wanna add 1 last thing. There's no way to know you're good at something UNLESS YOU TAKE IT FIRST!

 

[Rhino1000]

I really think you're overstating how difficult those particular classes are. But what do I know, I'm just a Bio major.

To me, this is similar to a late middle school student saying that a senior is exaggerating the relative difficulty of calculus compared to intro geometry, and then stating "but what do I know, I'm just a middle school student." - the point not being that you are to a middle student as he is to a college student, but rather that you are to someone who hasn't taken the classes as he is as someone who has actually taken the classes. But if you have taken pchem, I respect your opinion.

 

[ramifications]

Honestly there are good instructors, then there are bad instructors. Similarly, there are good students, then there are bad students. The point really isn't concerning course difficulty. I actually think that as long as you go through education sequentially; truly nothing should be hard as long as there is a good instructor and student. Yea I will say that certain courses are harder than others and we should not discredit someone taking topography in comparison to someone taking bio. What is harder is clear- let's not be wannabes here.

Respectfully submitted.

 

[HCHopeful]

To me, this is similar to a late middle school student saying that a senior is exaggerating the relative difficulty of calculus compared to intro geometry, and then stating "but what do I know, I'm just a middle school student." - the point not being that you are to a middle student as he is to a college student, but rather that you are to someone who hasn't taken the classes as he is as someone who has actually taken the classes. But if you have taken pchem, I respect your opinion.

I haven't taken P Chem. I have only taken Organic, but I have also scored the highest Organic ACS Standardized Test score of any student ever to attend my college (yes, including those Chem majors). I have also had friends take P Chem and get A's, so I know it's doable.

The reason I believe he is overstating the difficulty is simply because I have never run into a test or course (MCAT included) that cannot be beat. I only scored a 31 on my MCAT, so I know I'm not a genius, but a 31 was "beating it" to me. I, do, however hold the belief that no class is ever worth avoiding or telling others how hard it is. Many people told me that Organic would finally be the class that got me, and it was quite possibly the easiest I've had.

While I understand I cannot definitely say P Chem is doable as I haven't taken it, I still hold the belief that I could succeed in the class. This belief is based on the fact that many others have done it before me, and if they can do it, then why not me?

The "But what do I know, I'm just a Bio major" comment was said because I'm tired of people assuming all Bio majors are incapable of critical thinking. My Chem professor constantly drummed on about how we are incapable of anything but memorizing simple facts. Funny how a Bio major beat out every one of his beloved Chem majors to have ever taken that class. Bio people deserve love too 😉

For real, I see where you're coming from with me not being able to give a definite opinion, but I want to 😛

 

[HCHopeful]

I understand but the professors and the method of teaching will differ immensely. We have faculty known for grading tough. That is the difference. It's super annoying because a point comes when you feel that their job is to really weed out students. They make you scared of the class from the beginning. It's a terrible technique. An intro math course (let's begin with calc 2) professor introduced his class with the saying that "if you do what I say you will get an A". Despite the fact that 14% of the class gets an A, it was enough for a student such as me to thrive for that grade and feel secure in learning. I wasn't playing mind games with myself in whether or not what I was taught in the class was just a low yield summary of what I would be tested on. I can't say the same feeling I get when I take a bio class. They make it sound as if their classes are chaos theory sessions that few will get...I mean it's really frustrating and also demoralizing when their books are no better to follow. Sometimes I question why chemistry and math folks can't just go over to the bio book makers on how to create a proper book with chapters that aren't filled with excrutiating detail that make you want to question your sanity in reading the details. The worst part is that there is no logic in memorizing or understand each concept because they hardly come together coherently enough like math and chemistry. I mean I have to ready 50 pages each chapter for chem but I come to bio and just reading 20 pages is like a punishment. I did though have a bio class where the prof made a presentation and I basically made my own notes out of it and wrote what she added to clarify the slides. Just by doing that I was able to get an A. Is that too hard? My notes came out to be longer than the book pages but they were so much more relevant and worth reading.

It's their job to weed out the kids. I go to a very small school, and we had 50 kids start as pre-meds. Now, as rising seniors, we have three. If they can't withstand pre-med, then how would they expect to make it through medical school. I understand the frustration that comes along with these types of classes (as I have had them myself), but just know that it's necessary.

And by the way, if you're one of the few that survive that type of class, the victory is so much sweeter in the end.

 

[ramifications]

I haven't taken P Chem. I have only taken Organic, but I have also scored the highest Organic ACS Standardized Test score of any student ever to attend my college (yes, including those Chem majors). I have also had friends take P Chem and get A's, so I know it's doable.

The reason I believe he is overstating the difficulty is simply because I have never run into a test or course (MCAT included) that cannot be beat. I only scored a 31 on my MCAT, so I know I'm not a genius, but a 31 was "beating it" to me. I, do, however hold the belief that no class is ever worth avoiding or telling others how hard it is. Many people told me that Organic would finally be the class that got me, and it was quite possibly the easiest I've had.

While I understand I cannot definitely say P Chem is doable as I haven't taken it, I still hold the belief that I could succeed in the class. This belief is based on the fact that many others have done it before me, and if they can do it, then why not me?

The "But what do I know, I'm just a Bio major" comment was said because I'm tired of people assuming all Bio majors are incapable of critical thinking. My Organic professor constantly drummed on about how we are incapable of anything but memorizing simple facts. Funny how a Bio major beat out every one of his beloved Chem majors to have ever taken that class. Bio people deserve love too 😉

For real, I see where you're coming from with me not being able to give a definite opinion, but I want to 😛

Really like this statement. Education is about learning...not scaring people into believing that one course is harder over the other. That is for you to figure for yourself. I find it excrutiatingly annoying as a pre-med since I find the actual hard courses easier in confrontation to these "so pumped up intro courses"...it is ridiculous.

 

[ramifications]

It's their job to weed out the kids. I go to a very small school, and we had 50 kids start as pre-meds. Now, as rising seniors, we have three. If they can't withstand pre-med, then how would they expect to make it through medical school. I understand the frustration that comes along with these types of classes (as I have had them myself), but just know that it's necessary.

And by the way, if you're one of the few that survive that type of class, the victory is so much sweeter in the end.

haha, the victory is precious but I'd rather not like someone being scared of learning. I think it is so crucial to harbour a love for courses that prepare for medicine that scaring us into thinking so and so course is hard from the beginning instills a fear that lasts throughout medical school. I imagine myself liking the materials I learn to become a doctor, not fearing them. For one my health has suffered because of the premed anxiety. Taking a breather, I come to realize the rat race and its exceptional "inception-like" vacuum.

 

[Hospitalized]

I'm the same way. I destroy chemistry classes, but I've only gotten 1 A in a biology class. The rest have been A-'s. Granted, no Bs, but still, only 1 A is killing my sGPA (3.782). I'm a biology major, as chemistry is not offered at my school. I just finder harder to sit down and do biology than chemistry. I like puzzles, solving things, pathways. Biochemistry was a little better in that regard.

 

[Goro]

Go to your school's education or learning center for help with study styles, etc.

Hi guys, I was wondering if someone could give me some advice on what I'm doing wrong so I can fix this before my GPA continues to take hits. I'm a biology major working in a lab, and I really do love the subject, more so than chemistry. For some reason, however, I am able to easily get over 100% on most of my chemistry exams (General chem/Organic I) yet in most of my Biology courses I am struggling to get an A-. I'm not interested in changing my major to Chemistry, but at the moment it seems like my best option to keep my sGPA up.

Any advice on study habits for biology vs. chemistry?

 

[deleted577188]

Honestly there are good instructors, then there are bad instructors. Similarly, there are good students, then there are bad students. The point really isn't concerning course difficulty. I actually think that as long as you go through education sequentially; truly nothing should be hard as long as there is a good instructor and student. Yea I will say that certain courses are harder than others and we should not discredit someone taking topography in comparison to someone taking bio. What is harder is clear- let's not be wannabes here.

Respectfully submitted.

Awesome!

 

[Styrene]

Thank you. I still wonder how the myth about bio majors somehow being less intellectually capable than physical science majors started. I am a bio major who loves all subjects, especially physics and chemistry. Organic Chemistry II was one of the easiest (and most enjoyable) courses I've ever taken. If you have developed critical thinking skills, much of the subject relies on a few key principles. In biology, there's a new emergent principle for every problem--quite a stark contrast. Additionally, all the bio tests at my school are long essay tests each of which requires complex reasoning using information from 300-500 powerpoint slides.

I TA a bioinformatics course designed, in part, as an elective for physics majors and engineers. Many of these students cannot solve the simplest biology problems or read any literature.

I haven't taken P Chem. I have only taken Organic, but I have also scored the highest Organic ACS Standardized Test score of any student ever to attend my college (yes, including those Chem majors). I have also had friends take P Chem and get A's, so I know it's doable.

The reason I believe he is overstating the difficulty is simply because I have never run into a test or course (MCAT included) that cannot be beat. I only scored a 31 on my MCAT, so I know I'm not a genius, but a 31 was "beating it" to me. I, do, however hold the belief that no class is ever worth avoiding or telling others how hard it is. Many people told me that Organic would finally be the class that got me, and it was quite possibly the easiest I've had.

While I understand I cannot definitely say P Chem is doable as I haven't taken it, I still hold the belief that I could succeed in the class. This belief is based on the fact that many others have done it before me, and if they can do it, then why not me?

The "But what do I know, I'm just a Bio major" comment was said because I'm tired of people assuming all Bio majors are incapable of critical thinking. My Chem professor constantly drummed on about how we are incapable of anything but memorizing simple facts. Funny how a Bio major beat out every one of his beloved Chem majors to have ever taken that class. Bio people deserve love too 😉

For real, I see where you're coming from with me not being able to give a definite opinion, but I want to 😛

 

[TraumaBlonde]

during undergrad, i would continually tell my advisor " there are good people and good professor. You cant tie both ideas together; you can be an amazing person- and a not-so-amazing prof..." and vice ver sa