Is taking orgo with physics together too much?

[gymnastMD12]

The only similar threads to this question weren't relevant or from years ago...so:

Would I be killing myself sophomore year by taking Orgo 1 with Physics for Life Sciences 1 first semester, and the second of each the next semester? Both of them have labs.

I go to a school that is notoriously known for hard organic chemistry classes; this year the exam average for my friend's class is only 52%. My school is a large state school that is ranked very well nationally, so doing well in these classes under my school's name would be an achievement. I also need to do well in these classes for GPA and med school, obviously.
Any thoughts or tips? Is this doable with a few extracurriculars and another class (Intensive French readings/writing) along with it?

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[BlackBox]

I opted to take Phy I and II during the regular year and Org I and II over the summer. It was a crappy summer (I took only the classes, but worked), but it was def worth it.

 

[xnfs93hy]

This seems completely doable. However, only YOU know how much you will be able to handle. But the course load seems fine to me.

 

[PleaseCallMeDoc]

Just do it

I wouldn't take any other hard sciences with the 2, however.

 

[deleted407021]

It's very doable.

 

[mehc012]

Anything called "'Not Biology' For the Life Sciences" is not going to overload you.

 

[Oso]

It's definitely doable, just make sure to stay on top of all the material, especially since you may have physics and Orgo exams in the same week. In that case, don't get overwhelmed, but start studying a little bit earlier than you would for just one exam and just switch off between the two. FWIW, I found that studying in a small group for Orgo was very helpful. Learning to manage a relatively heavy coursoad is a good skill, and keep in mind that many premeds double up and sometimes even triple up on sciences and still do well. So don't get too scared, plenty of people take Orgo and physics together, so work hard and you'll be fine. The labs are annoying, but oh well. Good luck.

 

[Mr Roboto]

What's your alternative—taking one upper level a semester? You have to take lots of hard classes as a bio major, normally while talking other hard classes.

I go to a school that is notoriously known for hard organic chemistry classes

I guarantee that no one but alumni and current students at your school knows/cares that orgo is difficult there. That's the case everywhere except community college.

 

[Bookish]

I took Ochem I, Physics I and Genetics together. It was very tough, I'm not going to lie. I got my first B in college, but I am glad I did it. I am taking Ochem II, Physics II and botany right now, and I can take the MCAT this summer (I'm a sophomore) instead of having to take it during the year as a junior. I would recommend it only to someone who is sensible and diligent enough to not try to cram all their studying in at the last second. That strategy is absolutely not going to work with the courseload you're considering; you have to be at it all the time. Good luck, it's very doable with the right approach.

 

[medicalmnt]

very doable
Orgo1 = b
physics1 = a

orgo2 = maybe B to A- range
physics 2 = a

only problem is..........labs. labs labs labs labs labs labs labs labs labs
I'm sure i could have done better on orgo but physics is also a heavy hitter. be careful dont fall behind.. very doable you'll be fine as long as you dont get swamped in the beginning

 

[geneexpression]

I hope not because I don't have much choice as a career-changer post-bacc unless I want to remain at the undergrad level for approximately forever. I am worried about the double labs. I really hate labs.

 

[Mr Roboto]

I hope not because I don't have much choice as a career-changer post-bacc unless I want to remain at the undergrad level for approximately forever. I am worried about the double labs. I really hate labs.

I took physics, bio, chem, and an upper level bio at the same time, all with labs, with stats and got A's. It's doable, just have to put in the time.

 

[Aerus]

Most premeds take Organic Chemistry and Physics together during their second year. If most premeds can do it, you should be fine.

 

[PurpleLove]

 

[moisne]

Some people love Ochem and others hate it - which one will you be? Hmmm....

 

[Jay11jayjay]

The only similar threads to this question weren't relevant or from years ago...so:

Would I be killing myself sophomore year by taking Orgo 1 with Physics for Life Sciences 1 first semester, and the second of each the next semester? Both of them have labs.

I go to a school that is notoriously known for hard organic chemistry classes; this year the exam average for my friend's class is only 52%. My school is a large state school that is ranked very well nationally, so doing well in these classes under my school's name would be an achievement. I also need to do well in these classes for GPA and med school, obviously.
Any thoughts or tips? Is this doable with a few extracurriculars and another class (Intensive French readings/writing) along with it?

I took Physics 2, Orgo 1, and Gen Chem 2 the same semester (with no Orgo lab). It was extremely tough, but doable since I did not do anything else and I tried to study in advance for all of them. It ended up being a great semester at the end. Point is that it's doable as long as you stay on top of everything. Best of luck.

 

[Dailymoto]

Took bio, physics, and ochem together at a state school with some similar stats. It may be difficult, and it will be a risk for your GPA, but IMO it gives you better prep for the MCAT if you take it the summer after. It was like a year of studying just before the MCAT, rather that being out of the loop for a year while you finish your degree.

 

[Psai]

I also took physics, upper level bio, chem and upper level calc together with three labs. It was miserable. Organic chem + physics and labs are okay but more than three science classes is miserable. Also, labs take a lot longer than you think because writing reports takes forever, especially if you have to do error analysis for physics. Your schedule looks okay for now but don't make it harder than it has to be.

 

[Mel Belle]

In my personal experience, loading up on orgo, calc-physics, calc, and molecular biology my sophomore year was not a good idea. Not if you want to ensure As. It's not so much that I couldn't handle the courseload, just that my study skills were still improving and the work for those classes (3 labs, 1 calc "lab") was abundant, so it was stressful. I made it through with excellent marks, but my cortisol levels were always through the roof (which is really bad).

I don't think you should be afraid of loading up the sciences. However, I would suggest you don't do it if 1) your study skills are not adequate 2) if you want to gradually work up to intense science loads rather than being tossed in the deep end 3) if you don't wanna be stressed out of your mind.

 

[FindingVeritas]

It really depends on the school. I chose not to do that and be extra safe since I had messed up earlier in my college career (1st year, 1st semester). Personally I would advise against it if you can fit it in somewhere else and overall make your schedule a bit easier. Personally if it came down to a BS or BA vs. taking these classes together or apart, I would go with the BA if your end goal is medicine. I have a BA in Biology with a ton of useless courses thrown in for GPA boosters and I had a very successful cycle this past year. Just my 2 cents though.

 

[QuantumJ]

No it's not killing yourself. Any science student has taken a schedule like that. I would consider that a fairly easy schedule myself.