Skipping a semester between ochem 1 and ochem 2?

[maybedeadcat]

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Hi friends! I'm taking ochem 1 this semester, but I'm thinking about studying abroad next semester. However the program I want to do does not offer ochem, so I would have to take ochem 2 next fall. How bad would it be to have a gap semester in between the two classes? Also, I could take biochem and/or genetics while abroad. Would that maybe keep the ochem 1 fresh in my mind for the following fall? Thanks so much!

 

[kyamh]

While I would normally recommend taking them consecutively, I think that studying abroad is an incredibly valuable experience that you should have if you can. So go for it and don't worry. Take good notes in Orgo I and be prepared for a little extra solo review time. At the end of the day you know better than we do how well you retain information over time. On the topic of taking those other courses, I think it's great but that probably it won't be all that helpful for Orgo II.

 

[maybedeadcat]

I could also potentially go abroad next fall. I'm an eager beaver though.

 

[Burla]

To be completely honest, just having a winter break made me forget the specifics (like sn1 vs sn2) between Orgo 1 and 2. I didn't think it was a hassle to look back at the small amount of material that carried over.

 

[ready2go2]

My school only has Ochem 1 in the spring and Ochem 2 in the fall (so three month summer break in between) and as I am reviewing old material as of this week, the knowledge has come back to me within a couple days of studying, so I think you'll be fine.

Also from my understanding ochem 2 is the basis for biochem (at least it is a prereq at my school to take the class) so taking it before ochem2 doesn't seem smart. Genetics sounds great though.

 

[dap]

I don't think it is a big deal. I took organic chemistry 1 and 2 a year apart. A- in 1, B+ in 2. And that was without reviewing anything from 1 before starting 2. I just reviewed things as we went along if I couldn't remember something that was relevant (which wasn't even that often). Studying abroad would probably be a lot more valuable and fun.