Orgo I and II over the summer

[dvdrv31]

Hello. man, finals for the spring semester is approaching and pretty soon summer session is going to start.

I would like any advice for taking Orgo I and II over the 2 summer sessions -I'm a little nervous about taking this class over a fast-paced summer. Any helpful hints? (I got to Emory)

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[Dr. Geoff]

Pray!

J/K, I haven't taken either yet. Someone told me to make flash cards with the reactions on them and carry them around with you 24/7.

Jeff

 

[tater tot]

i have only taken orgo I and boy there is a crapload and a half to memorize <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> be prepared!!

say at 6wks per class....a test every 2 wks. very rough. you may have trouble adsorbing and/or understanding concepts in such a short time. for me, as i kept studying, more and more eventually pulls together and makes sense. i'd be warying of cramming orgo 1&2 into one summer, unless necessary.
good luck

 

[A1phaZer0]

I did it in one summer, nearly killed me, but in a condensed context, it doesnt give you much of chance to forget everything, and the nature of the class allows the material to flow more easily, I think its a good idea if you can devote mucho time to it

 

[specialk]

It's really not that bad. Especially if that's all you're taking. Organic 2 is easier than one anyways (or so i thought). go for it.

 

[Forensic Chick]

I'm in my third quarter of o-chem and let me tell you that it doesn't get any easier. Everything builds off of the first quarter and you'll have a ton of reactions to memorize. I took the first two quarter earlier in this school year -- and I'm having a lot of trouble remembering what I did last quarter (4 weeks ago) so I don't know how you're going to remember all of the reactions over a year's time. I have a couple of friends that took the series with a year or two in between - and they're really struggling now. You have to devote a lot of time to the material and flash cards are a great idea. Being on the quarter system, I'm used to the condensed structure of the course (3 midterms, 4 quizzes and a final in 10 weeks) but I've heard that it's more difficult if you're used to the semester system. I wish you the best of luck!!

 

[BUmiken12]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Forensic Chick:
•I'm in my third quarter of o-chem and let me tell you that it doesn't get any easier. Everything builds off of the first quarter and you'll have a ton of reactions to memorize. I took the first two quarter earlier in this school year -- and I'm having a lot of trouble remembering what I did last quarter (4 weeks ago) so I don't know how you're going to remember all of the reactions over a year's time. I have a couple of friends that took the series with a year or two in between - and they're really struggling now. You have to devote a lot of time to the material and flash cards are a great idea. Being on the quarter system, I'm used to the condensed structure of the course (3 midterms, 4 quizzes and a final in 10 weeks) but I've heard that it's more difficult if you're used to the semester system. I wish you the best of luck!!•••••Agreed. As long as you can get the first two or three weeks down, then the rest is pretty much just application of those first couple weeks. Orgo is one of those subjects that I think some people really excel in and others just don't get it.

 

[otter]

I think getting orgo out of the way over the summer is a great idea. Things will be very fast-paced, but the flip side is that you get to focus on orgo only. Spreading out the orgo over an entire year ... I just can't do it.

 

[McEntrye]

Organic is supposed to be easier in the summer...
At my school in any case it is certainly easier over the summer...

 

[mpp]

At the school at which I took organic chemistry (both I & II over 10 weeks during the summer) they give the same exams as the regular year-long class. The average grade during the summer is almost always higher than the year-long class average.

I believe that you can remember better if you cram everything into a short period of time. I would advise you to take the summer course and get it over with while few other intellectual pursuits are occupying your time.

Best of luck...

 

[Doctora Foxy]

I took Orgo I and II with labs over the summer after my sophomore year, and I highly recommend it. I took it at Brandeis University (my undergrad), so my grades factored into my gpa too. It was great to be able to focus on one subject, so I think it's actually easier to take it over the summer than during a whole semester. The labs, however, were much harder than the lecture courses and took up most of my time---our TAs were very picky about the lab reports. Also, even though the stuff was crammed, it was my best subject on the mcats b/c it stayed fresh in my mind. Just be prepared to devote your entire summer to studying orgo and you'll be fine (except for weekends!) :wink:

If you take it at Emory, I guess the school will be pretty isolated, so that's good for focusing. I studied outside and got tan everyday

Best of luck!

 

[Firebird]

Hey does anyone else out there take the ACS organic final for the Organic II class? Every test at my school builds on the previous material, and anything is fair game...that includes first semester info on second semester tests.

It all culminates in our final when we take the ACS organic test that is cumulative for the entire year...but I've never heard of any other school that does this...anyone know of one?

 

[Doctora Foxy]

I have never heard of that particular test, but orgo HAS to be cummulative--there's no way around it. You need to know the first semester stuff to do the second semester stuff, so it makes sense that they could still test you on the basics later on.

 

[dvdrv31]

wow, haven't checked replies in a long time. thanks for the advice.

i asked the professor that teaches orgo here at emory and he said they use a book that is supposed to be easier than the one used during the normal year. Organic Chemistry, by Wade 4th edition? anyone know anything about the book?

 

[Doctora Foxy]

I used that book for orgo and it is very clear. Make sure you buy the solutons manual too!