Should I take organic chemistry in the summer? Can anyone share their experiences?

[June94]

My general chemistry series sucked so I need an upward trend. I finished general chem almost two years ago. I'm enrolled in organic chemistry right now but I don't think I did well on my first exam. Our entire grade is dependent on three exams, including the final, and 8 quizzes. We can't turn in homework for credit. I'm considering dropping the course and taking it in the summer. It will be my only priority (no job or other classes). It's easy to say that I'll do great in it during the summer but is this actually true? Will I even stand a chance if it's already beating me down and it's only been four weeks into the quarter? Can anyone share their experience taking ochem in the summer?

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[21Rush12]

Beware...summer is very fast and if you’re not a strong chemistry student you may shoot yourself in the foot by trying to game the system.

 

[JohnJacobJungler]

My general chemistry series sucked so I need an upward trend. I finished general chem almost two years ago. I'm enrolled in organic chemistry right now but I don't think I did well on my first exam. Our entire grade is dependent on three exams, including the final, and 8 quizzes. We can't turn in homework for credit. I'm considering dropping the course and taking it in the summer. It will be my only priority (no job or other classes). It's easy to say that I'll do great in it during the summer but is this actually true? Will I even stand a chance if it's already beating me down and it's only been four weeks into the quarter? Can anyone share their experience taking ochem in the summer?

I took both OCHEM 1&2 over the summer while working a small part time job. Personally, I'm someone who does really well when I have a single thing to focus on. Therefore, I enjoyed taking it in the summer and did well. However what @21Rush12 is true! Above all else, you know yourself the best. Some people do better in that kind of environment, others do not. If you do choose to do it over the summer, my recommendation is that you develop a study plan where you sit down after class for 4-5 hours and go just go over the material everyday. Don't expect to go into a summer class and waltz your way through the material without putting in some serious effort.

Good luck with whatever decision you end up choosing!

 

[medguy24]

My general chemistry series sucked so I need an upward trend. I finished general chem almost two years ago. I'm enrolled in organic chemistry right now but I don't think I did well on my first exam. Our entire grade is dependent on three exams, including the final, and 8 quizzes. We can't turn in homework for credit. I'm considering dropping the course and taking it in the summer. It will be my only priority (no job or other classes). It's easy to say that I'll do great in it during the summer but is this actually true? Will I even stand a chance if it's already beating me down and it's only been four weeks into the quarter? Can anyone share their experience taking ochem in the summer?

Find somewhere that is a 4 year institution and where Orgo is an easy A over the summer 😉 take it there.


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[June94]

I took both OCHEM 1&2 over the summer while working a small part time job. Personally, I'm someone who does really well when I have a single thing to focus on. Therefore, I enjoyed taking it in the summer and did well. However what @21Rush12 is true! Above all else, you know yourself the best. Some people do better in that kind of environment, others do not. If you do choose to do it over the summer, my recommendation is that you develop a study plan where you sit down after class for 4-5 hours and go just go over the material everyday. Don't expect to go into a summer class and waltz your way through the material without putting in some serious effort.

Good luck with whatever decision you end up choosing!

Yeah I also feel that I work best when I only have to focus on one class. How fast was the pace? Do you remember how many chapters or sections you would go through per class? Any information is helpful. Thank you.

 

[Isoval]

I took Ochem 2 in the summer and had no problem with it.

In my experience, they cut several of the longer labs from the curriculum. I didn't notice any difference in difficulty between my 'on-season' Ochem 1 (taken in the fall) and summer Ochem 2 classes.

 

[HealthFocus]

I did this. I did set my normal university. I highly recommend it. It resemble that the pace of medical school. And also it was easier for me to get A's considering that it was my only class to focus on. That being said, it was challenging. And it took a lot of focus and energy during the summer. I believe I'm better for it. I had a friend who had done it the previous summer and enjoyed it and dispelled a lot of the fears that I had about doing it myself. So taking orgo 1 and 2 over the summer and getting A's and both classes was a real boost for my self-esteem because I didn't think I was the kind of person who would get a raise in organic chemistry. I actually really enjoyed the subject. In retrospect, the whole game of getting into medical school is so ridiculous. But I guess we all have to play some sort of game in this life otherwise we wouldn't have much going on. Just be sure you're having fun along the way otherwise you're completely missing the point of this whole life thing.

 

[June94]

I did this. I did set my normal university. I highly recommend it. It resemble that the pace of medical school. And also it was easier for me to get A's considering that it was my only class to focus on. That being said, it was challenging. And it took a lot of focus and energy during the summer. I believe I'm better for it. I had a friend who had done it the previous summer and enjoyed it and dispelled a lot of the fears that I had about doing it myself. So taking orgo 1 and 2 over the summer and getting A's and both classes was a real boost for my self-esteem because I didn't think I was the kind of person who would get a raise in organic chemistry. I actually really enjoyed the subject. In retrospect, the whole game of getting into medical school is so ridiculous. But I guess we all have to play some sort of game in this life otherwise we wouldn't have much going on. Just be sure you're having fun along the way otherwise you're completely missing the point of this whole life thing.

Thank you for your response. Yeah, I need to get A's in the ochem series so that I can show an upward trend. The confidence boost would also help me. How fast did the class go? How many sections/chapters did you cover per day?

 

[DBC03]

I took Ochem 1 & 2 over the summer - it was 18 years after taking AP chemistry (I skipped Gen Chem - go big or go home, I guess) and I did very well in both classes (A+). But I don't think it's for everyone. There were a few students from other well-ranked undergraduate schools who tried to take at the local university it over the summer for an "easier A" and they did not get As. I think the biggest mistake they made was assuming it would be easier over the summer, which it wasn't. The advantage of the summer session was having it as the only class (and we didn't have to take the ACS exam). But we had labs twice a week and covered the same material. It's really hard for me to compare to taking classes during the year as it was my first class in 13 years. I think there are advantages and disadvantages of taking it then - just realize you'll be covering multiple chapters per week and you absolutely have to stay on top of your work. I think we did 12 chapters in 6 weeks for Ochem 1 and 12 chapters in 6 weeks for Ochem 2. I would also use the book "Organic chemistry as a second language" if you are having difficulty understanding the concepts and applying them (ie predicting how reactions will proceed). Good luck! Feel free to ask more questions about it. It's been a while (over a year) since I took it, but since it was my first time back in school, I have fairly vivid memories of the class.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

I took Ochem 1 & 2 and the labs over the summer....it was definitely hard in the moment and a lot of work, but I ended up doing fine and I was really happy not to have to take it over a whole year. Although, to be honest, the initial reason I took it over the summer was because I was graduating in 3 years (came in with a lot of dual enrollment credits) and I needed to be done with it so that I could take biochem. If you're struggling with it, taking it over the summer might not be the best idea. It's true that it'll be the only thing you're focused on, but it'll be at a much faster pace. Only you can decide which option works best for you.

Also second the Orgo as a Second Language comment above...that book saved me!

 

[aapple]

I took Ochem 1, Ochem 2, and Ochem 1 lab in one summer. I dropped taking the second lab because it was just too overwhelming. I ended up making a B in Ochem 1, an A- in Ochem 1 lab, and an A in Ochem 2. In my experience taking just the class was challenging but manageable assuming you devote most of the rest of the day to learning the information. Overall though, I probably would not recommend it.

 

[BombsAway]

If you have to ask, the answer is probably no.

 

[BTC0821]

Its doable, but know yourself. I did both over the summer in 5 week semesters and got As. It took around 25-30 hours of working on the material outside of class time which was most weekdays so it isn't to be taken lightly. Is it worth the risk to you? It is a risk

 

[Robin-jay]

As someone who has taught this in the summer, it is probably against your better judgement.