Taking organic chemistry for a third time

[goowls2015]

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So I'm curious as to how screwed i am. I took organic chemistry 1 and failed and i am retaking it now and don't think I will do so well this time around. Will taking it a 3rd time look really bad? Ive gotten A's in all my bio, gen chem, and physics courses. Im a sophomore btw

 

[Master Yoda]

Why do you think you are doing poorly on your ochem?

 

[goowls2015]

Why do you think you are doing poorly on your ochem?

my study habits for that class are terrible. I study a couple days before the exams. Ive realized i need to study everyday and be more consistent.

 

[TeethAreMyThing]

Are you taking it with the same professor? Some people can definitely teach organic better than others. Try new study habits and hope for the best this semester, but prepare to retake if necessary. When you are applying and hopefully interviewing, it may be brought up and you should be ready to discuss what issues you faced/overcame.

 

[goowls2015]

Are you taking it with the same professor? Some people can definitely teach organic better than others. Try new study habits and hope for the best this semester, but prepare to retake if necessary. When you are applying and hopefully interviewing, it may be brought up and you should be ready to discuss what issues you faced/overcame.

Different professor this time around. It seems like his tests are more challenging and very specific. And thanks for the advice.

 

[Master Yoda]

To answer your question......it will definitely raise some red flags.....so be prepared to answer questions about it in your interview if it comes up...

 

[Faefly]

What's that Ochem is beautiful, but it's time-consuming!

You have to devote your life to OChem to get good results. What I did when I studied ochem.

I watched videos, definitely this one: The Organic Chemistry Tutor I think he is the best just watching his videos can make you better, I watched while taking notes, not just watched.

I studied the notes of the professors, solved the end of the book problems because like most students you can find the solution manual online for your text book. I only solved the easy questions or medium hard, and then solved online problems from different professors tests that are scattered online for different schools.

Also! I took 12 credits with Ochem. not 15 or 18.


Practice, practice, practice.
Don't give up, you can still make it to B or maybe even better who knows, but if you are failing already, why don't you withdraw before you ruin your gpa.

go to the professor office hours every freaking day!

 

[670206]

Number 1 rule for doing well in Organic Chemistry (my personal favorite subject & class): Do problems! This will cement all the different reactions, and give you a feel for how questions might be asked. Look at old exams, back of the chapter problems, etc. Basically, just do lots of problems.

 

[Craig_Sherwood234]

Adcoms don't blink an eye at a W for organic. It's almost commonplace. But since you're taking it for the third time, that will definitely be factored in an adverse way in your app. 3 times is the red flag, OP. If I were you, I would make sure everything else in my app is pristine.

 

[setdoc7]

O chem is considered a benchmark for 1 year d school success. Tons of info, problem solving, in a new language (like mesial, distal, proximal, etc.) How will you handle the enormous course load of D1? That is the question I would ask?

 

[SmileItsLife]

Orgo is so important because it is usually entirely new knowledge. It is a measure of how well you can process new information at a fast pace. Usually, students have learned some or most of Gen Chem series. This is why grad schools usually have Orgo as a prereq.

You still have half a semester left... try your best. As everyone said, do practice problems. I would get the Orgo as a Second Language book. It is a life saver. It gives you just enough practice problems to understand a concept without over tiring you.

 

[workofshart]

Study the organic chemistry as a second language books, do practice problems, watch youtube vids, and maybe even buy Dr. Romano's orgo odyssey book. I would try your hardest to pass this time because having to take a "weed-out" class 3 times basically means you've already been weeded out. I believe people who retake a class need to give 100% effort and get an A the second time or else it looks like you simply can't or won't do the work and schools aren't going to want to take the chance you fail out.

 

[socal6]

Since it's such an important pre-req, I would honestly put it off for another semester or year. In the meantime, try taking other science classes that are a little less challenging but will still push you, and develop strong study skills during this time. Just don't repeatedly burn yourself out. I think you'd have a better chance at doing better in the class this way. Remember you need to get an A or your chances will be slim to none.