taking bio,orgo,and physics at the same time?

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Ayuka001

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Hi guys!

I'm planning to take bio,orgo chem, and physics together for my sophmore year so that during the summer of sophmore year i can study for the mcat/take a prep course rather than waiting till my 3rd year since i think having the summer to study is better.

But do you guys think this is doable?
I really don't want my gpa to drop. I am motivated and willing to work hard but i got to say i am not one of those naturally good at the sciences people. I did get A's in general chem which i am taking right now (freshman year), but i had to study quite hard.


Thanks for any advices 🙂
 
It is definitely doable, but if you don't have to then I would suggest against it, especially if you had to study quite hard in gen chem.
 
You can do it, but it requires a lot of dedication/time and it's easy to get burnt out.
 
I took organic chem and physics with labs, and a hard upper level biology course all at the same time, and while doing a college sport. This was my jr. year. It really sucked, though, I have to say. So much so that I decided to not take 2nd semester physics in the spring, and to just take it over the summer.
I didn't want to risk screwing up b/c organic takes SO much time to study for.
You can try it, but you better keep all your other class(es) easy that semester.
 
I am taking Physics, Organic, and Cell Biology next fall (as well as the labs). However, I do research in an Organic lab right now, so I am predisposed.
 
I did the same thing while working roughly 25 hours a week as well. Its definitely doable, but man did Orgo take up all my free time. I was even taking my text book to work so I can study. In retrospect, I probably wouldn't have but that's not to say its possible. If you can, I'd just take those three classes and not take anything else.
 
I did it one quarter and it was awful. It ruined my GPA. Those sciences aren't similar enough, and taking 2 lab classes just chewed up a lot of my time. I would highly recommend not doing it if possible. However, my school was on the quarter system, so I could (and should) have delayed one of the classes a quarter and it wouldn't have been a problem, but I realize semesters are different. Good luck either way though!
 
I did it when I was a soph for 2 semesters in a row. It's a lot of work and that was my worst year, but if you're one of those types who doesn't need to completely kill themselves studying for tests, you can pull it off. If not, I would suggest against it because organic takes effort and the bios (I took genetics and micro) and physics can bite you in the ass even if you are doing well in organic.
 
dohgrl76 said:
I did it one quarter and it was awful. It ruined my GPA. Those sciences aren't similar enough, and taking 2 lab classes just chewed up a lot of my time. I would highly recommend not doing it if possible. However, my school was on the quarter system, so I could (and should) have delayed one of the classes a quarter and it wouldn't have been a problem, but I realize semesters are different. Good luck either way though!
Click to expand...

2 lab classes at once is bad? I'll be taking 3 lab classes at once for the next 4 semesters. :scared:
 
This is essentially what I did, and I feel like it was a good idea for me. But none of us can tell you what's going to be best for you. You have to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, see if you'll be able to put in the time and effort necessary, and make your choice from there.

I know that I personally felt like I wouldn't get any studying done during the semester if I took it at the end of my 3rd year right before I was going to apply, so I wanted to have stress-free time to study. Other people might feel different. To each their own.

Good luck, whichever way you decide! :luck:
 
yea i done did it. its doable and you could probably take another course or two on top as well.

my school requires labs and recitation with each. so rcts add up to approximately 5 hours, and labs to around 12 hours. i just didnt go to class. you don't really need to. science is science.
 
I did it as well. Lots of work though.
 
I'm taking O-chem I w/ lab, cell bio, genetics w/ lab, physics I w/ lab and a basic English class next semester.

I already know it's going to be a huge PITA and my grades will probably suffer. I don't know why I do this to myself.
 
Yeah I took O-Chem II, Classical Physics I, and Cell Biology along with Calc II. The classes were OK but the labs just took so much time!!! I did it while working about 25hrs a week. I felt like I was being pushed to the brink both physically and mentally. Ended with A,A,A-,A. My advice is that if you are truly motivated you will be fine, but my advice is if u do it, stay with just three classes! I think its all about how bad you want an A in those classes. I truly gave that semester everything I had.
 
I'm doing it right now. Physics II, Bio II, O.Chem II, and one other easier class. Physics and Bio are not too bad I would say. Physics is a lot of formulas and Bio comes naturally. O.Chem on the other hand takes time. I'm sitting at a low A with just the final left and two weeks to study for it. I say it can be done. I know a lot of people that are doing it right now with me. Most people would put the physics off a semester though. Its all up to you. I don't think it will kill you, but why not just push one class off until the next semester?
 
I did this too, and we called it the "Triple Threat" for a reason-- many people do very poorly (but many don't!). Personally I actually enjoyed it--but I'm weird!

Honestly though, those who aren't naturally good with the sciences have more trouble taking all three courses simultaneously. But I've seen them succeed as well--they may just have to study more.

I would encourage you, if you decide to take all three courses at once, to

A) Not enrol in any additional courses--which perhaps was already your plan
B) Monitor your progress very carefully. If you start feeling overwhelmed before midterms, it's a sign that it might be best to drop one of the courses and take it the following year- you definitely don't want your GPA to suffer. Of course, make sure to watch out for the drop without a W deadline, since you don't want that on your transcript.

Good luck!
 
I did Orgo and Physics at the same time along w/ three other classes and playing a sport and working some. I wouldn't recommend it because organic especially takes up a lot of time, even from other classes. A few classmates and I did it and we would be studying for Orgo tests during Physics lecture and our prof would just laugh at us. But it's very doable you just have to budget your time.
 
I took BioChem, Intro Physics II and Cell Bio simultaneously...The key is to compartmentalize your time and try very hard not to fall behind. (And, unless you're a super genius be prepared for your social life to suffer at the hands of the grade god. Yet, it is very doable. I'm far from the smartest person you will ever meet but I was able to put in efficient hours and get A's in all three.)
 
Don't do it. Go have a life.



There's also summer school that can help you get ahead.
 
I'm finishing up that combo right now. I'd say it wasn't too bad, but physics is definitely my weakness and I'll be getting my first B ever! Very excited, haha. If I had to do it all over again, I would have. I just would've studied a hell of a lot harder.
 
its doable
if you are taking general biology...its ok
you should be full time with those three classes itself...
so you can do it but don't take any other classes if you have to study quite a bit...
i think u will have enough time to study with just those three

i think you should do it because I took my MCAT in the summer after my sophomore year and I was glad I did...
you will have a lot of time to study and just devote to the MCAT...
all the pre-reqs will be fresh in your head...

I think you should go for it👍
 
I did O-Chem II, Physics II, and Andvanced Cell Bio second semester junior year. I don't think it was any worse than any other semester. Plus I took the MCAT 2 weeks after finals, so that entire semster (year, if you count O-chem I and Physics I that fall) was like studying for the MCAT without specifically studying for the MCAT. I think that schedule actually was beneficial to me.
 
I'm planning to do the same thing next semester for the fall of my sophomore year. I'm taking mobio, ochem and physics, all with labs plus an upper div political science class for my second major, a piano class, and working in a lab (which is not even a lot of hours compared to the hours I work this year). Plus all the other club activities and things...

It's nice to hear that it can be done (and has been done), and I'm not alone in trying to do this. So far, everyone, including my advisor, has been trying to talk me out of it and telling me I'm crazy and neurotic.

To alleviate things though, I'm planning to prep ochem and physics in the summer a bit so I don't get murdered if I find out I really suck at one subject.
It'll be a tough year...

Good luck. 🙂
 
I did G-chem 2 , physics 1, bio 2, an art elective and worked a part time job last spring. I ended up with straight A's but it took a lot of work. You have to very disciplined to make it through it. I usually studied 6 days a week and only went out on saturday's. A break is required so you don't lose your sanity.

I am currently doing the triple threat again.. O-chem 2, Physics 2, Biochem, and a social science elective -__-. I had to quit my job just so that I wouldn't be so worn out every week. But I am doing well tho. Currently have all A's in all my classes. Biochem = killer. It is the hardest class and shouldn't have taken it with a big load.

The thing that I have an advantage is interest. If your a science type of person you can do it. I actually love learning science so the stuff comes easy to me. A lot of ppl think O-chem 2 is like the hardest class, but I find it the most eziest and funniest class of all. I study a lot less than the other students but I somehow end always in the top 5.

So if you think you can handle it, then do it. If not, then take it easy then. Its better to do it slow and get good grades than rush through the whole thing and get average grades.
 
This semester I'm currently taking OChem I, Bio II, Genetics, Bio stats, intro psych(Damn social science requirements). It's not the best, two weeks ago I had 4 tests within 3 days and it damn near killed me, and now I don't have anything to do in the classes. It's really polarized, at least with me. One week you feel like you won't make it, then the next week you feel like you don't have any work to do. Anyways, I'm holding an A in OChem, Biostats and Psych, and am borderline B+/A- in Bio II and Genetics going into finals in two weeks.

I don't know about everybody else, but was Bio II a lot more difficult than you thought it would be? I came into this semester thinking O Chem was going to be the end of me, but I think the class is a joke. Bio II, and even genetics, is a lot more work than I had planned. We've had 4 tests in Bio; 85/90/85/98 was how I did, so not that great. Genetics our tests are out of 33 points and I've gotten a 27/26/28 on the three so far, although that 26 was the day after spring break and everybody did bad, damn bacterial genetics.
 
I'm doing it. 2 A's and a B last quarter (and the B was because I made a major dumb mistake due to a logistical misunderstanding in a class that cost me a lot of points)
 
29 posts of the same thing

i'll just point out that the one thing that will be different in your semester is that your schedule will probably not match well with that of your peers. if you were used to coordinating w/ someone, or were lame enough to have lunch with your girlfriend at qdoba every day at the same time even though she wasn't putting out and you were paying, you will have to make a couple of changes. it's not really a big deal to make these changes. you will also find that other people may be relaxing and having fun while you do not have the time to indulge.

its all good as long as someone doesn't have to hear you complain 🙂
 
I did it, not fun but doable.
 
obviously don't do it. tanking your gpa just to rush to take the mcat sounds ridiculous, dont you think? bio, organic, and physics all demand solid amounts of time to ace, if taken with rigorous profs. if you feel like you have that kind of time, go for it. if you have reservations, id switch up the gameplan and only pick 2 of those sciences.
 
I did it, it's definitely doable. Ended up loathing physics by the end of it though.
 
I feel like it's an unnecessary measure to take just to be prepared for the MCAT earlier.
 
Sorry to bump a thread, but i'm looking for an opinion.

I plan on taking the following in the fall:

Algebra based Physics 1 (w/ lab)
Gen. chem 1 (w/ lab)
Macroeconomic Theory
French 1
 
dr seuss said:
I think this completely depends on where you are and how good you are at science classes. At my school if you are good at math and the physical sciences, physics and gen chem are easy A's.

Macroeconomics and French just depend on your teacher. Most intro language classes are really easy where I am, but if you've never had French before it could be hard.
Click to expand...

Merci
 
I did the same thing for the spring of my sophomore year

Orgo 2 = B (this class was killer)
Physic 2/w Lab = A
Bio 1 = A

It is very duable but Final week was hell
 
Easy. Bio, Orgo, Physics, plus Calculus, Research, and orgo lab = 3.96. Stupid lab.
 
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