Orgo 2 Troubles

[deleted388502]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey everyone,

So I have done decently in college so far. General Chemistry is the weed out at my school and I made a A-, B+, and a B, followed by an A in Orgo 1 last semester. However, Orgo 2 seems to be kicking my butt. I got on the average on my first chemistry exam in college, followed by failing two quizzes (60 + 56) that had averages in the high 80's and 90's. I don't want to blame my professor - he's fantastic, but there's definitely a smarter group of students that take this class so the averages are higher and his exams are long, tricky, and it's not that I don't know the material - I don't have enough time to finish it.

Now as we're getting into more and more reactions I understand the MECHANISMS when given a problem, but it's just a matter of keeping all the reactions straight I think is what I'm having trouble with. My next exam is in two weeks and my professor told me I absolutely still have a shot at an A, so does anyone have any tips? Last semester and for the last exam I made sheets with product, reactant, and intermediate columns and folded it to help with synthesis, and made notecards. I've been doing that now as well, but I seem to just FORGET on our weekly quizzes what to do, and when he throws something tricky at us I seem to have trouble remembering weird exception rules.

Any advice is appreciated! I'm kind of panicking about not doing well and I want to know what I can do to succeed.

 

[I Love Cats]

You can read and read all the notes about mechanisms that you want, but if you're not applying that by practicing actual problems a sufficient amount, you will struggle. O chem 1 is doable with little practice because it only has a few mechanisms, but o chem 2 is a different beast. I like to use an analogy. Mechanisms are like tools in a tool kit. You can read about how a tool is used, but if you don't practice (or don't practice enough) with that tool, then when you have to use the tool under pressure it will be quite difficult. Getting good with a tool requires practice. You did not mention in your study habits the word "practice" or anything like it, so I thought I would say this. I hope it helps you.

 

[deleted388502]

No I definitely agree! I do all my professors practice sets but they are significantly less than what my professor last semester used to give us. Any tips on how to practice outside of that? He gives us a lot of predict the products and I do the full mechanism but even then it doesn't seem to be enough.

 

[deleted357625]

message me I'll forward you typed ochem 2 notes that will get you an A.


EDIT: send me your email address because a lot are asking for it, so it's be easier to forward the attachments via email.

 

[GatsbyK]

Don't look at just what the mechanism is. Try to think about how to apply it to problems. For my university we were taught to write down the mechanisms and reactions on an index card and learn to apply them then stop using it. I suggest doing the same thing.

 

[Propylene]

As much as you can, try not to route memorize equations and understand the reason why the mechanisms work the way they do. Eventually, you'll get the point where you'll be able to predict what happens with two reagents.

Also, practice practice practice. Everyone learns differently so find your best method (making notes, re-reading, etc) and spend an hour a two a day even when exams are far off and you will become very familiar with the material.

Good luck!