I was reading the Ochem over the summer thread last night and got to thinking. I'm going to be taking Ochem 1 and 2 this summer and I just ordered Organic Chemistry as a Second Language so that I would have it ready to go. Would I benefit at all from reading it prior to taking the class? Since I'm dealing with a truncated time table I'm trying to figure out how I can get a bit of an advantage so I don't find myself with too much material and not enough time to get a thorough grasp. Has anyone done this, did it work?
Reading "Ochem as a second language" before taking the class, will it help?
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If it's a book on tips on how to succeed et cetera, I would suggest reading it before the class. However, if it is more like a text that is attempting to teach you organic material I would use it as a supplementary material during the class. Learn which concepts you'll be going over on a given day and brief them before or after your lecture with your supplementary materials for additional understanding.
Really, all you need to do is get the concepts down, which aren't at all difficult (especially if you know your gen. chem), and then do practice problems. Do more practice problems, do more practice problems, then do practice problems.
Do practice problems. Do practice problems. Do practice problems. Do practice problems. Do practice problems. Do practice problems.
K?
Really, all you need to do is get the concepts down, which aren't at all difficult (especially if you know your gen. chem), and then do practice problems. Do more practice problems, do more practice problems, then do practice problems.
Do practice problems. Do practice problems. Do practice problems. Do practice problems. Do practice problems. Do practice problems.
K?
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im taking orgo 1 and 2 this summer as well along with calculus. its gonna be a fun summer. i have heard great things about orgo as a second language, i was thinking of picking it up, but i have to worry about studying for gen chem 2 first which im taking inthe spring. i didnt see a gen chem 2 as a second language book do they make one?
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I used it as a reference, in case my prof said something ******ed and I had to look up the topic to get a good grasp of it. The only way, in my opinion, to really master Ochem is to do lots and lots of problems until your head explodes. Reading stuff is secondary to that.
To answer your thread question, "No"
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I would read it. Why not? If you have nothing better to do, why not get a head start?
Personally, I never did any pre-study or use any supplementary books and got A's just fine. It wouldn't hurt to pre-study, so I say go for it.
Personally, I never did any pre-study or use any supplementary books and got A's just fine. It wouldn't hurt to pre-study, so I say go for it.
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i actually did read that book and i felt like it helped a lot. more than anything, a solid understanding of gen chem will make ochem 1 a breeze. can't speak from experience about ochem 2 yet, though.
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nahhh probably won't help. if it helped, thats just cuz you are the type of person that either actually recalls things well or thinks they recall things well and all that.
college is about tackling new things and learning to enjoy the challenges of it. i know that sounds lame as **** but i miss those times. just let it come to you bro
college is about tackling new things and learning to enjoy the challenges of it. i know that sounds lame as **** but i miss those times. just let it come to you bro
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as author of the thread ochem over the summer =p
yah.. i've heard good things about that book. its supposed to help a bit..
but yah.. the reason i hate math is because i never practice problems.. i just read and grasp concepts..
which is why i might fail ochem lol
yah.. i've heard good things about that book. its supposed to help a bit..
but yah.. the reason i hate math is because i never practice problems.. i just read and grasp concepts..
which is why i might fail ochem lol
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Read this book!
Either as a review or before the class, it does an incredible job teaching the basics of organic chemistry in a very easy to understand format. Was a great help to me.
Note that this only covers the basics of organic chemistry, at my school, Orgo is a 3 quarter series, and this book covered up to the end of quarter 1.
Either as a review or before the class, it does an incredible job teaching the basics of organic chemistry in a very easy to understand format. Was a great help to me.
Note that this only covers the basics of organic chemistry, at my school, Orgo is a 3 quarter series, and this book covered up to the end of quarter 1.
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I used this book, and it's sequel for Orgo 2, and loved them. They're a time-saving Godsend in terms of explaining key concepts clearly and providing step-by-step guidance and practice, yet they're so thin that you won't even believe all that's contained in those tiny books! I used them while taking orgo and it saved me hours from reading every single page of every assigned chapter in my orgo book. Plus, it's clearly explained, making it easy-to-understand.
I think you could *try* reading it before the class starts, but if you're reading and it doesn't make any sense to you yet, give up. It will make a lot more sense and be a lot more helpful while you're taking the class. But yeah, excellent books though!
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I suggest reading Ochem as a second language before your class starts.
The book is way more primitive/easy than your class will be, but it sure does help you to avoid a bunch of "wtf" moments for the first couple weeks of class. It helped me alot on my first test, but the 2nd, 3rd and Final where much more in depth than the second language book covered.
The book is way more primitive/easy than your class will be, but it sure does help you to avoid a bunch of "wtf" moments for the first couple weeks of class. It helped me alot on my first test, but the 2nd, 3rd and Final where much more in depth than the second language book covered.
Thanks for all the responses. I'm going to try reading it. As long as it's not going in one ear and out the other I'm hoping that I will at least have a bit of recognition so when I'm sitting in class this summer getting pounded with information I can say "oh yeah, that sounds familiar". I have until late January off so I have the extra time.
I did well in Gen Chem 1 and think I have a thorough understanding so hopefully that will help as some mentioned.
Someone mentioned Gen Chem 2 as a second language. I'm taking that this coming semester and haven't been able to find that book anywhere either. Not sure if it exists but most signs point to no.
I did well in Gen Chem 1 and think I have a thorough understanding so hopefully that will help as some mentioned.
Someone mentioned Gen Chem 2 as a second language. I'm taking that this coming semester and haven't been able to find that book anywhere either. Not sure if it exists but most signs point to no.
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If nothing else just spend some time practicing drawing the different cyclohexane, decalin, etc. chair conformations. I sucked so bad at drawing those things its a miracle the TA's where able to decipher them.
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It would probably help to familiarize yourself with what you're going to be learning. Especially since you're taking it during the summer.
That book isn't as amazing as everyone makes it out to be though. And the practice problems are way easy so they only help a little bit.
That book isn't as amazing as everyone makes it out to be though. And the practice problems are way easy so they only help a little bit.
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Yep - I recommend the second volume as well. I read them and worked all the problems before taking ochem and felt very well prepared for the class. They are not a substitute for all the material you will learn, but they really do help to nail all the contributing concepts so that you can focus on the mechanisms. I would have had a much more difficult time without using these books to prepare.
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Agreed. But college is also about getting into medical school. If the OP could potentially get an edge by having a running start, he should take full advantage of that. Especially being that O Chem is a key course to evaluate one's potential in medical school.
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I read a book called Nuts and Bolts of Organic Chemistry. I was actually able to read quite a bit during summer. I am someone who usually could not focus on material till the night before the test, which I think says something about the book. I got an A and I think the book helped.
The main thing I got out of this book was how the electrons moved around. Of course you still have to memorize but knowing about the electrons lets you understand. Thus the memorization is much easier. Reading one of these books is all about getting a good foundation, not to memorize the course ahead.
http://www.amazon.com/Nuts-Bolts-Or...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261558331&sr=1-1
I agree that college is about getting into medical school. Often times there will be two choices for a class. The teacher who everyone loves but is tough, and the average teacher who is easier. I would go with the easier teacher everytime. Adcoms don't see that you "learned and got a lot out of a class", they just see a letter grade where an A always trumps a B.
The main thing I got out of this book was how the electrons moved around. Of course you still have to memorize but knowing about the electrons lets you understand. Thus the memorization is much easier. Reading one of these books is all about getting a good foundation, not to memorize the course ahead.
http://www.amazon.com/Nuts-Bolts-Or...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261558331&sr=1-1
I agree that college is about getting into medical school. Often times there will be two choices for a class. The teacher who everyone loves but is tough, and the average teacher who is easier. I would go with the easier teacher everytime. Adcoms don't see that you "learned and got a lot out of a class", they just see a letter grade where an A always trumps a B.
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no it wont help... Enjoy the break!!!!!!!!! premed students (roll eyes)
But what will help is if you buy the textbook NOW for the class, organic chemistry as a second language, AND Schaums 3000 solved problems in Organic Chemistry (written by Robert Meishlich)...don't start reading it though
this way, you will have the books before classes start... and so from the very first day orgo starts, start studying..... it is easy to fall behind in orgo, if you dont keep up with it
keep out all the scary stories you have heard about orgo
And seriously buy not only the orgo textbook and orgo as a second language, but also the 3000 solved problems in orgo book... it may seem like an investment, but IT IS A GREAT HELP... since orgo is all about practice
but until school starts relax, watch tv, enjoy time with family and friends, ask for presents 😀, etc....
But what will help is if you buy the textbook NOW for the class, organic chemistry as a second language, AND Schaums 3000 solved problems in Organic Chemistry (written by Robert Meishlich)...don't start reading it though
this way, you will have the books before classes start... and so from the very first day orgo starts, start studying..... it is easy to fall behind in orgo, if you dont keep up with it
keep out all the scary stories you have heard about orgo
And seriously buy not only the orgo textbook and orgo as a second language, but also the 3000 solved problems in orgo book... it may seem like an investment, but IT IS A GREAT HELP... since orgo is all about practice
but until school starts relax, watch tv, enjoy time with family and friends, ask for presents 😀, etc....
