I did awful. I understood most of the homework problems I did. I got almost all of them right. I go to take a quiz and do awful. So, obviously I didn't apply the concepts in new situations as best as I thought I could. Anyone have any tips for success with taking prereqs? I haven't earned straight As in ages and I really need to this next year so I can get in. Any advice is appreciated.
Just started taking my prereqs - completed first quiz
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I am using orgo as a 2nd language, ive read through the whole chapter, did all the end of chapter problems, and assigned problems as well. I think I should have reviewed my class notes some more than I did. That probably would have yielded a better outcome.
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I had read the first three chapters prior to day one of the class. I think that really gave me a solid foundation for what I was in for. I gave my book to my school so correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't the first chapter just how to "connect the dots" so to speak. Make sure to stay ahead of the material with that book. Also make sure you are reading your textbook as well prior to class. If you first read Klein's book, then the textbook, then go to class, you really shouldn't have any issues whatsoever. It's a lot of work for sure, but you will be rewarded for your effort. Organic is a time sink.
I did use the Klein book, went to office hours, read the text.... think I will focus on better class notes though.
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This. If your professor is anything like mine, you will never see the same things on an exam that you went over in class. You will have to understand the principles of what's going on and be able to apply those to novel situations. So a clear understanding, not memorizing is the key to success.
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Also MCAT.
How do you make sure you are not memorizing? I know you are supposed to be able to teach someone something and thats when you are supposed to know it......but i feel like thatd be from memory still. Kind of confused as to how to approach this ...and actually really learned and i am not just repeating my classnotes.
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For example, can you show me all the resonance structures for a molecule you haven't ever seen before? Can you name some random molecule that I give you? Understand the rules and be able apply those rules to new games. That's the ticket. How do you know when you understand it? Well, you have to do a rediculous amount of problems. That comes from going through Klein's book, reading the textbook, and going through problems in class. Take copious notes. Has your professor presented you with something you didn't know how to do? If yes, then that should be strange since you have gone through a ton of problems already. Find more problems like the one he/she gave you... Like I said... it's a time sink.
Organic chemistry really is like learning a second language. You have to work at it EVERY DAY. Over time, things will come to you more easily. People will start asking you how you know all this. They will say "this is so hard, but it's so easy for you." That's bs. Because you will have worked your arse off. There is no easy way to do well in this class for most people. Though there are some that just "get it." Unfortunately I was not one of those people. You can succeed in whatever you want. I truly believe that. Though some people will have to work harder than others. Are you willing to put in the work?
Organic chemistry really is like learning a second language. You have to work at it EVERY DAY. Over time, things will come to you more easily. People will start asking you how you know all this. They will say "this is so hard, but it's so easy for you." That's bs. Because you will have worked your arse off. There is no easy way to do well in this class for most people. Though there are some that just "get it." Unfortunately I was not one of those people. You can succeed in whatever you want. I truly believe that. Though some people will have to work harder than others. Are you willing to put in the work?
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Understand why things are so, not just memorize lists of reasons and exceptions.
I have been able to do this...not good enough though for an A...
YMMV: But...
The biggest mistake I made was going through the Klein book peice meal as my professor hit different topics.
That book is written to give you the entire broad scope of what you're doing and why in those beginning reactions. In other words, there will be a lightbuld moment where you finally get it but I'd highly recommend you coerce that moment early in the semester instead of at the end, right before the final.
Take home point: Spend this weekend getting through the entire Klein book. Come monday morning you'll be armed with the "big picture" and Mark/Anti-Mark, Acid/Base, Hoffman, etc, will make way more sense to you.
Also, for me O-Chem was 95% perspiration. I worked no less than 300 problems before every exam. There is no substitute for this. This is not a fact based class (if you are reading through the text or you notes more than just to clear up confusion about a concept, you're looking at them too much) it's a problem solving class, the concepts are few and realtively simple. You have to work problems (did I say that enough?) It was rare that I didn't work every single example and every single problem in the back of each chapter before an exam. Because...why not?
Ended up with a 104% in the class. I probably studied too much...for this class, but I have no doubts that studying this way will pay dividends on the MCAT.
The biggest mistake I made was going through the Klein book peice meal as my professor hit different topics.
That book is written to give you the entire broad scope of what you're doing and why in those beginning reactions. In other words, there will be a lightbuld moment where you finally get it but I'd highly recommend you coerce that moment early in the semester instead of at the end, right before the final.
Take home point: Spend this weekend getting through the entire Klein book. Come monday morning you'll be armed with the "big picture" and Mark/Anti-Mark, Acid/Base, Hoffman, etc, will make way more sense to you.
Also, for me O-Chem was 95% perspiration. I worked no less than 300 problems before every exam. There is no substitute for this. This is not a fact based class (if you are reading through the text or you notes more than just to clear up confusion about a concept, you're looking at them too much) it's a problem solving class, the concepts are few and realtively simple. You have to work problems (did I say that enough?) It was rare that I didn't work every single example and every single problem in the back of each chapter before an exam. Because...why not?
Ended up with a 104% in the class. I probably studied too much...for this class, but I have no doubts that studying this way will pay dividends on the MCAT.
Where did you find all these extra problems? I think I need something beyond the text problems and klein. Thanks.
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I don't buy that. You have done EVERY problem in Klein's book? You have done EVERY problem in your textbook? You have gone to class and taken notes? I don't buy that at all. My textbook had hundreds of problems for each chapter. There is no way that if you are doing all of that, you are still falling short.
Related to what we have covered up to this point. My textbook doesnt have 100s of problems at the end of each chapter. Maybe 50-60 and I have done them for whatever we are covering.
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That is unfortunate. However, I'm sure there are other textbooks at your school's library. Mine also has the corresponding answer book to help with the even numbered problems. My school's website is undergoing maintenance at the moment so I can't log in to see what material I have there unfortunately. I will check back in later to see what I can come up with that may help. What are you covering right now?
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I just finished orgo I yesterday with an A. It was hard. I used Klein up until the chapter on elimination, because then he makes you look stuff up yourself, which I didn't care for. After that I discovered the best way for me to learn was to make my own practice sheets.
Here's my process:
1.) Write down every problem covered in class on sheets of paper (like a master list). Also include good problems from book, YouTube, and any of the several orgo websites available via Google. Write down only the problem, answer, and any truly pertinent info (Markovnikov, syn addition, etc.). Keep this list handy, and forever add to it.
2.) Write down the problems on a new sheet of paper, but leave out an important piece of info. This is how you quiz yourself. For instance, write down the starting materials and the product, but leave the reagent/solvent blank.
3.) Do the above for every problem on the master list, but three times, each time leaving a different piece of information out. I'll generally recreate my master list three times: one leaving reagents blank, one leaving products blank (but including starting material and reagent), and one leaving starting materials blank (but including reagent and product).
4.) Make many copies, and drill. The more problems you add, the less like memorization this feels.
5.) Encourage your classmates to do the same, and exchange practice sheets.
Here's my process:
1.) Write down every problem covered in class on sheets of paper (like a master list). Also include good problems from book, YouTube, and any of the several orgo websites available via Google. Write down only the problem, answer, and any truly pertinent info (Markovnikov, syn addition, etc.). Keep this list handy, and forever add to it.
2.) Write down the problems on a new sheet of paper, but leave out an important piece of info. This is how you quiz yourself. For instance, write down the starting materials and the product, but leave the reagent/solvent blank.
3.) Do the above for every problem on the master list, but three times, each time leaving a different piece of information out. I'll generally recreate my master list three times: one leaving reagents blank, one leaving products blank (but including starting material and reagent), and one leaving starting materials blank (but including reagent and product).
4.) Make many copies, and drill. The more problems you add, the less like memorization this feels.
5.) Encourage your classmates to do the same, and exchange practice sheets.
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I think you either 'get' o=c-hem or you don't... if you were good at Gen-chem you will probably not have it as easy in o-chem... That is what I've learned and found... I studied some, and had pretty easy Bs in o-chem, not that I remember much, but I had a harder time with gen-chem... some people rock both, but... not usually from my experience...
Keep working at it, and remember to count your bonds...
Keep working at it, and remember to count your bonds...
Most of the problem numbers in my textbook had 6-10 problem each, for example #3 parts A-H.
If you run out of problems in your textbook additional textbooks can be bought on amazon for less than 10 bucks, just buy 2 or 3 editions old and pick up the solutions manual.
Which textbook are you guys using? Most chapters have enough examples and end of the chapter problems to gain sufficient mastery in the two textbooks that I used.
Okay so I have been revamping my studying strategy. I found some extra problems from MIT courseware and some other schools. It has been really helpful. I still feel like i kind of know a lot about different concepts. I do not have the whole big picture yet. And I still don't have things down cold.
How long does this usually take for you guys to lets say get 1 concept down so well you can teach it? For me, I can teach it for the 1st day or 2, then I forget the concept I taught myself a couple of days earlier. I am getting better though. I see the progress. Still not perfect yet!
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You never will be perfect at organic chemistry. It just won't happen. It's an imperfect science. Just do the best you can and practice EVERYDAY. You will be fine because you have sought help and have the drive to do well. Keep at it.
I agree with above. There's alot they aren't telling us in basic intro organic chemistry, it's alot more complicated than we probably care to know. I would do as ShoTyme suggested, work problems every day, just a few if you're low on time. It will keep the concepts fresh and everyday you will be building your problem solving skills set. Problem solving skills is how you ace organic, not completely understanding every minutia detail. The general principles, I found, were pretty straight forward. But how they applied to varius scenarious is where the disconnect happens, the only way through that is having that tool kit full of problem solving skills.
Again, for me at least, the big picture happened once I finally went through Klein's book cover to cover. When I went back to my textbook after this to review for my cumalitive final the whole thing just made perfect sense. Granted by this point I had probably worked over 1000 reactions. Which really isn't that much if you consider most reactions take less than a minute to work out if you know what's going on.
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