New post bacc getting ready for chem

[PD3]

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Hello all,

I am a nontrad student about about to take my first prereq to enter dental school. I am taking gen chem during the January term at a state university. I was wondering if anyone has any websites or books to recommend to help me get up to speed for the fast pace of a J-term class. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[PD3]

Bump, I know this is an tumultuous time for many, but would love any thoughts. Thanks.

 

[IcySpice06]

Greetings! I have my BS in Chem but, I entered college with no chemistry instruction in high school. Since you're a nontraditional, I will assume that you have little to no rememberance of chemistry in high school (so, that makes/made us in the same boat). I had to work really hard my first semester to get up to snuff. My advice is: do not take your first semester of chemistry as an accelerated course. I can understand someone coming out of high school with AP chemistry under their belt doing just fine. But, if I were you I would take the first semester as a regular speed class. You may be in over your head it you don't. Since this is a pre-req for dental school it's not a good idea to risk a low grade in this class. If you insist upon taking this class as accelerated against my recommendation may I recommend the Chang chemistry text (a lot of universitys use it). You can find it used on Amazon. I'd read it and try to answer the questions in the back of the chapter over Winter. Good Luck to you!

 

[LNinlove]

I would concur, accelerated gen chem I would be difficult. I had chemistry my freshman year of highschool, then 10 years later I took gen chem I. I thought it was gonna be easier than it was...needless to say I spent many hours in the Science Learning Center trying to "catch up" with all the other students.

It was a very interesting class and you will need the stuff for the DAT, so it would be nice if you retained it over the next year or two.

You know how you learn, it's up to you. As Icy said, you can't risk getting a low grade in it. Just play it safe and good luck!

 

[Mackchops]

I agree with IcySpice to not start out with an accelerated course. I believe you could end up doing just fine gradewise, however, you have to consider that everything builds on the coursework before it. You could get an A in Gen Chem 1 but if you don't LEARN the material you'll be starting out at a dissadvantage for Chem 2 and so on. Not to mention you need to know that stuff COLD to do well on the DAT.

But if you can commit yourself to study appropriately for an accelerated course then by all means, go for it. I did my post bac at a state school and am really glad I did. PM me if you have any questions -- I love sharing!

 

[PD3]

Thank you guys for your input. I have the next few weeks to prepare for the class and while it will be tough, I hopefully think it is the best thing in the long run.

Wish me luck!

 

[pre-dentalguy]

Thank you guys for your input. I have the next few weeks to prepare for the class and while it will be tough, I hopefully think it is the best thing in the long run.

Wish me luck!

The best luck I can give you is to understand the periodic table back and forth.

Understand that Metals makeup more than 75% of the elements in the periodic table. Alkali Metals These are the metals in the first column of the periodic table. They are soft shiny metals. Alkaline Earth Metals these are the elements in the second column of the periodic table, and they are very similar to the alkali metals. The halogens are fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine. The noble gases are also called rare gas elements, and they all occur in nature as gases. The noble gases fulfill the octet rule by having a full outer level with 8 valence electrons. Therefore, they do not undergo chemical reactions because they do not accept any electrons. The transition metals are the metals located between columns IIA and IIIA in the periodic table. The elements also have valence electrons in two shells instead of one.

You'll also need to know mol's and nomenclature.

All of these items can be found on the internet. Just get a basic idea and you'll have it!

 

[pre-dentalguy]

Just stay ahead of the course and you'll be fine.

 

[makushin]

If you are a reasonably sharp person you can do it in January no problem, provided you have the time to sink into it. Its not much material, but it is very dense and can be difficult to grasp. So you must not get caught behind or you will be in a world of hurt. It is a subject that can be very intimidating if you are caught behind.

 

[gainsbourg]

I did very well in an accelerated Organic Chemistry class by following this advice:

1. Treat the course like a full time job. Set aside at least 30 hours a week for the course.
2. Get the text book/work book/ and answer guide now. Start reading and practice problems. Contact the professor now to make sure you get the right books. Get a copy of the syllabus if possible or atleast find out what chapters the course will cover.
3. Be ahead of the class. Always read further in your textbook than the professor is in the lecture. Fore example if the professor will finish through chapter 6 by Friday be finished with it the previous Sunday. A lot of courses will speed up after the midterm. If you are ahead then you will be less likely to get behind.
4. Re-read chapters at least once and do all assigned problems as well as extra problems.
5. Make an amazing set of notes that will help you study efficently.
6. If you have any questions on the material ask someone who knows. It is good to ask the professor this will help you build a relationship with them and lead to a possible recomendation letter.
7. Participate in the lecture. If the teacher asks a question raise your hand and answer. Participating in the lecture helps you stay awake and keeps you engaged.
8. Start studying for the midterm right away during the first week. Cramming for a test because you put off studying will go back to bite you in the end because you will forget that information a couple days later. By preparing yourself well for Gen Chem you are preparing yourself for the DAT.
9. Form a study group. Groups of 3 or 5 work best. Study on your own as much as possible before your group meets so that you are useful and aware of what concepts you have trouble with. When you are in the group ask about the questions you are struggling with. If the group is not helping at all then find a new group or continue to study on your own.

 

[drtre1]

I was a post bacc who also started with an accelerated Gen Chem I. It was a bit of a challenge for the first week, just getting used to studying for science courses which is very different from essay exam and term paper courses which was the bulk of my undergrad. Just focus and you should do fine. Also it depends on the school you are attending, not all Gen Chem I courses are equal. There are many schools that have a bulk of their student going pre-med/dent... and will focus the course to what you need to know to do well on your MCAT/DAT. Others will be training future chemists and will be more...i would not say difficult...but less practical for your needs right now.
I say find an easy school get all A's... study hard for the DAT to prove your A was well deserved and you will do fine.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!

 

[makushin]

I did very well in an accelerated Organic Chemistry class by following this advice:

1. Treat the course like a full time job. Set aside at least 30 hours a week for the course.
2. Get the text book/work book/ and answer guide now. Start reading and practice problems. Contact the professor now to make sure you get the right books. Get a copy of the syllabus if possible or atleast find out what chapters the course will cover.
3. Be ahead of the class. Always read further in your textbook than the professor is in the lecture. Fore example if the professor will finish through chapter 6 by Friday be finished with it the previous Sunday. A lot of courses will speed up after the midterm. If you are ahead then you will be less likely to get behind.
4. Re-read chapters at least once and do all assigned problems as well as extra problems.
5. Make an amazing set of notes that will help you study efficently.
6. If you have any questions on the material ask someone who knows. It is good to ask the professor this will help you build a relationship with them and lead to a possible recomendation letter.
7. Participate in the lecture. If the teacher asks a question raise your hand and answer. Participating in the lecture helps you stay awake and keeps you engaged.
8. Start studying for the midterm right away during the first week. Cramming for a test because you put off studying will go back to bite you in the end because you will forget that information a couple days later. By preparing yourself well for Gen Chem you are preparing yourself for the DAT.
9. Form a study group. Groups of 3 or 5 work best. Study on your own as much as possible before your group meets so that you are useful and aware of what concepts you have trouble with. When you are in the group ask about the questions you are struggling with. If the group is not helping at all then find a new group or continue to study on your own.

These are good ideas, but IMO are way overkill for general chem. study 30hours a week? I didnt study 30hours in the semester.

The best advice I could give for gen chem is to simply practice the problems until they become routine. Thats all there is too it. Then you will go in on exam day and it's very easy.

 

[PD3]

I say find an easy school get all A's... study hard for the DAT to prove your A was well deserved and you will do fine.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!

I thought that D-schools consider the institution where you took the classes. I chose to take classes at a large state university (D1) as opposed to a small local school (D3). This will take some getting used to because I was used to a max of ~40 students. Is this not the case?

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I now have a text and have started working through it.