Retaking old classes with As

[predent8314]

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At a University, I took CHEM 1 (fall 02) and CHEM 2 (spring 03) as well as BIO 1 (fall 03) and BIO 2 (spring 04), all with labs. I received As all semesters. My question is, should I retake these courses since it has been awhile since I took them? I need ORGO 1/ORG 2/BIOCHEM/HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY, so I am wondering if retaking the classes would be the best option to relearn the material. Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[dmf2682]

At a University, I took CHEM 1 (fall 02) and CHEM 2 (spring 03) as well as BIO 1 (fall 03) and BIO 2 (spring 04), all with labs. I received As all semesters. My question is, should I retake these courses since it has been awhile since I took them? I need ORGO 1/ORG 2/BIOCHEM/HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY, so I am wondering if retaking the classes would be the best option to relearn the material. Thanks in advance for your responses.

I dunno about dental schools but for medical school you'll be fine not taking them again. Check over at the pre dental forums.

 

[mauberley]

At a University, I took CHEM 1 (fall 02) and CHEM 2 (spring 03) as well as BIO 1 (fall 03) and BIO 2 (spring 04), all with labs. I received As all semesters. My question is, should I retake these courses since it has been awhile since I took them? I need ORGO 1/ORG 2/BIOCHEM/HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY, so I am wondering if retaking the classes would be the best option to relearn the material. Thanks in advance for your responses.

I personally wouldn't. You should be able to refresh your memory with some kind of study guide (something like the "For Dummies" series, but not necessarily one of those books), unless you really think you've forgotten everything. Pick up a book and gauge whether you remember it sufficiently or if it's all foreign to you.

 

[augeremt]

Another option is either auditing or simply sitting in on the lecture if you have the time. Most professors are cool with it if you ask them, and it can really help refresh the material for you. Or you can re-learn it out of a book. I'm in a similar boat as you in that I took physics 8 years ago and could use a refresher. I tried sitting in on a class and found it a complete waste of time because I could learn it faster on my own. So instead I'm going through my old physics book to brush up on the concepts and equations. To each his own.

 

[augeremt]

Also, some schools require your pre-med requisites to be no more than x years old. Very few schools have that policy, but it might be worth looking into that if you're serious about attending them.

 

[stolen_biscuit]

Another option is either auditing or simply sitting in on the lecture if you have the time.

👍 Especially if prefer sitting in lecture, like me.

 

[galaxyx]

khanacademy.org and MIT open courseware are good if you want to refresh on your own time but still have access to lectures.

 

[Kj615]

I personally wouldn't. You should be able to refresh your memory with some kind of study guide (something like the "For Dummies" series, but not necessarily one of those books), unless you really think you've forgotten everything. Pick up a book and gauge whether you remember it sufficiently or if it's all foreign to you.

I agree. Would take upper level sciences instead.

 

[jsp132]

I agree. Would take upper level sciences instead.

agreed waste of money imo

 

[Elewynne]

Unless you are completely unmotivated or unable to self-study, I'd recommend not retaking the courses.

My milage: I had previously taken Chemistry 1 and 2, but need to take 3 still for the pre-reqs. I chose to completely self-study Chem 1, and I'm retaking Chem 2 as we speak because I felt uncomfortable jumping into 3 without any lab experience in 8 years. I will be starting Chem 3 next quarter.

FWIW, I feel retaking Chem 2 hasn't been very worthwhile. It's confidence building, but I've got around 110% in the class due to my study habits and my retention of the material from the first time around. And it helps chemistry just "makes sense" to me.

I'd recommend just reviewing old material yourself if you can swing it, unless you feel very shaky or can't stick to it on your own. Auditing the class is a good idea as well!

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Unless you have to, don't retake them. I graduated from undergrad in 99, and I didn't retake anything, I did take some new UL science courses, but I didn't retake prereqs...

 

[Acyl chloride]

I would second the MIT open courseware option if you just want to go over material. Berkeley has a lot of material on the web as well that I have watched and found helpful even when I was taking the actual classes.
Many of these courses are also free to download from iTunes-U which is great if you want to watch or listen while traveling. That way you can pick and chose which professor might fit your learning style best for any given topic.