Retaking a C+ in Orgo I?

[Anthodite]

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Hey everyone is it actually looked down upon to retake an C+?

Reason for my poor performance: I had a lot of health troubles this semester and could not get a medical withdrawal on time.

I had a really good understanding of the 2/3 of the semester all the way up to SN1/SN2/E1/E2 mechanisms but I completely bombed the chapter last test+final that was synthesis focused. For anonymity sake, I did not have the cognitive ability to even take two those tests let alone study for them. Could not even see my doctor since I was applying for insurance.

Reasons to retake: making sure I actually know everything and the basics for orgo II because I’ve never had below an A- in chem lecture.

Reasons not to retake: will have to do orgo II and biochem I in the same semester before the MCAT or completely self study biochem for the MCAT which I heard is a bad idea.

Unaffected factors: cost of retaking class since I’m full pell grant and still meeting SAP either.


My chem advisor said it was okay to retake it but my major advisor who sees some premeds told me “nononono”.

 

[Goro]

Don't bother

 

[LunaOri]

Agree with the wise Goro: don’t waste your time.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

How did you study? What would you change (before tackling Org2/biochem)? I'd focus on high-yield MCAT stuff.

 

[eigen]

Don't re-take, but make sure you take the time to learn the material before starting Organic II. One major mistake a lot of students make is assuming that they don't need to keep using what they learned in Organic I, when it's very continuous into the second semester. Synthesis, especially, is what most of the second semester will be based on.

 

[Anthodite]

How did you study? What would you change (before tackling Org2/biochem)? I'd focus on high-yield MCAT stuff.

I studied by practicing questions and memorizing things by blurting method/flascards which worked really well before my flareup. The only change I will be making is setting aside an emergency fund so that I can receive a medical withdrawal if something like this happens again while I was uninsured.

 

[eigen]

In general, brute memorization is really not a great strategy for synthetic chemistry. It works fine for the first part of the first semester, and while there is stuff you will need to memorize for the second semester, understanding mechanisms and being able to work through the logic of something you've never seen before is a lot more important.

The largest group of students I see crash and burn second semester are the ones that rely too heavily on memorization.

 

[Anthodite]

In general, brute memorization is really not a great strategy for synthetic chemistry. It works fine for the first part of the first semester, and while there is stuff you will need to memorize for the second semester, understanding mechanisms and being able to work through the logic of something you've never seen before is a lot more important.

The largest group of students I see crash and burn second semester are the ones that rely too heavily on memorization.

Thank you for the advice <3

I’ve just always struggled with some level with brain fog so I’d often have flashcards of me trying to just explain the concept. I’ll definitely make sure to incorporate more practice and try to set aside a fund for medical withdrawals.