Strugglnig in Biochem I

[zeppelinpage4]

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I'm a junior biochemistry major and I have a Biochem I final coming up. I already know I will do mediocre in this class as I have been getting mediocre grades on the last several tests.

What bothers me though, is that I have never received lower than a B+ in any of my science courses and I've aced every biology class I've taken up through Cell Biology.

So, what's got me confused, is why I seem to have hit a sudden wall in Biochem I. Most of my classmates are doing reasonably well in the class and they feel it's easier than the cell biology class we took together. However, I always did well in Cell Biology.
Most, if not all of the concepts and topics in biochemistry are a reiteration of what I learned in cell biology and what I had to know for the MCAT, so the material is not particualrly difficult or new to me. However, I scored below average on the second exam, and am certain the most recent test will be in the 70s or worse.
What bothers me most about the class are minute details...I know Biochemistry is a lot of memorization but the level of it expected from my professor honestly makes it hard for me. I can't stand memorizing ( I can do it if enough times is given), and I'm so overloaded with other classes and ECs I don't have the time to review slides regularly but am forced to cram one or two days before each test. I believe this is the biggest problem, but I did the same in Cell bio and managed to do well.

It could also be that I may be burnt out, the combination of calc physics, organic, and upper level bio last year really stressed me out. I then studied the entire summer for the MCAT, and went straight into this semester without any real breaks. My sleep schedule has gotten thrown off, I'm studying a lot but not doing as well as I should and constantly tired because of it.

I am concerned however, because an adcom told me they consider biochemistry to be more important than Organic and I feel like my bad performance in this class will be really badly looked upon, even though I've handled every other science reasonably well. I guess this is more of a rant than anything else, but I just wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions on what I should do. It's a little late to improve my grade for Biochem I, but I'm really worried I'll do bad in Biochem II since I"m struggling now. I just don't know why I am struggling in a class that is based off of everything I've thoroughly learned over the last two years.

Many thanks

 

[7mcghee]

Biochemistry can be difficult, though for me personally it's slightly easier then the rest of my science courses. Like Anatomy for me is the killer because it's constant memorization of bones muscles, ligaments tendons, what connects to what 😱 It just takes me to crazy places.

It's hard to do great in everything, The best advice I can offer though is to just try your best, and if your not satisfies with your grade perhaps re take it? Thats what I plan on doing because I know my grades will suck after finals.

 

[hiyaman]

Stop cramming... Relax a single bad grade wont kill you. But seriously biochem is memory intensive, cramming is a bad way to go. Its really difficult to memorize what every intermediate looks like in the tca cycle if you only do it the day before the exam.

 

[Barcu]

Stop cramming... Relax a single bad grade wont kill you. But seriously biochem is memory intensive, cramming is a bad way to go. Its really difficult to memorize what every intermediate looks like in the tca cycle if you only do it the day before the exam.

This. You have to spread out your studying. Biochem is tough with the memorization, but that's pretty much all med school is. It's a ton of memorization and much more of it than the your ugrad biochem. Start studying some each day. It's a skill you will need. Learn it.

 

[kpcrew]

I don't really think that you can really be good at memorization. It's mostly how much time and effort you put in that makes the difference. Being good at one science doesn't necessarily mean that you will be good at another, they all take different skillsets. Maybe you're good at abstract thinking or maybe you're good at solving the math. If you're tired, it's probably not from the MCAT studying, you're just not getting enough sleep. You probably overloaded or are doing too many ECs or something.

 

[anthrovagabond]

For biochem, you have to memorize the details, otherwise you're screwed. With that being stated, it's a class you just have to put more time into. Constantly redraw pathways, and try to "think"where you would go if, say, you were a 3C intermediate and your body is in desperate need of energy. Knowing the pathways really well makes biochem easy, and understanding the big picture will help on test day! Good luck!!!

 

[Isoprop]

I'll echo what everyone else is saying. You have to pay attention to the details in biochem from day 1. It seems like you underestimated the class since it seemed to rehash stuff you already learned.

With Biochem II, take the class seriously from day 1 and you will probably do fine.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Can't wait to take this class if it's memory intensive!

 

[Isoprop]

Can't wait to take this class if it's memory intensive!

You will do well in med school.

 

[zeppelinpage4]

Hey guys, I'm sorry I could not reply until now.
But your posts really gave me some encouragement and made me feel better about my situation in the class.
I hope I can hit the ground running with Biochem II and take your advice about studying over long periods of time and not cramming.

I got so overloaded this semester, I was almost forced to cram for each of the tests within two days. However I spread out my studying over two days for the last exam and though I only had one night, gave it my all for the final.

I just got my grade in the class and through some greater force...I seem to have managed an A in the class.
This is pretty much a miracle and I could cry cause of how much I struggled in this class. But you're advice and posts helped calm me down as well and I hope to use your advice on biochem II so I can avoid the stress this class caused haha.
So thank you guys.

 

[theseeker4]

Hey guys, I'm sorry I could not reply until now.
But your posts really gave me some encouragement and made me feel better about my situation in the class.
I hope I can hit the ground running with Biochem II and take your advice about studying over long periods of time and not cramming.

I got so overloaded this semester, I was almost forced to cram for each of the tests within two days. However I spread out my studying over two days for the last exam and though I only had one night, gave it my all for the final.

I just got my grade in the class and through some greater force...I seem to have managed an A in the class.
This is pretty much a miracle and I could cry cause of how much I struggled in this class. But you're advice and posts helped calm me down as well and I hope to use your advice on biochem II so I can avoid the stress this class caused haha.
So thank you guys.

Congrats, and good luck on Biochem II!