Tips for Organic Chemistry 2 Final?

[alilip]

I have my ochem 2 final next week and I'm pretty nervous. I'm not one of those people where organic chemistry comes easy to me. Instead, I have to study for days to pull a low B on exams. I got a C in ochem 1 and I would LOVE to pull off an A this semester to show my dedication and improvement. I still have a chance to get an A but with a high final exam score. Does anyone have any tips or tricks that really helped them out on the final? Thanks in advance!!

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[pioneer22]

practice problems. understand the concepts of the reactions, not the memorization of some examples

 

[ciestar]

Practice those reactions like your life depended on it. And redraw them from memory.

 

[Gurby]

 

[787593]

I have my ochem 2 final next week and I'm pretty nervous. I'm not one of those people where organic chemistry comes easy to me. Instead, I have to study for days to pull a low B on exams. I got a C in ochem 1 and I would LOVE to pull off an A this semester to show my dedication and improvement. I still have a chance to get an A but with a high final exam score. Does anyone have any tips or tricks that really helped them out on the final? Thanks in advance!!

"Jesus take the pencil..."

 

[kamakazi5]

Do the problems in the back of the book at least a couple of times. Also, I like using Anki for reactions or synthesis problems that give me trouble. Organic is a class where straight up memorization can be very helpful.

 

[pioneer22]

Do the problems in the back of the book at least a couple of times. Also, I like using Anki for reactions or synthesis problems that give me trouble. Organic is a class where straight up memorization can be very helpful.

I disagree. Organic is different than Biology. I think straight memorization leads to failure compared to conceptual understanding of compounds and reactions. Memorize the basics and concepts, yes, but memorizing exact structures is not helpful in the long run.

 

[Gurby]

I disagree. Organic is different than Biology. I think straight memorization leads to failure compared to conceptual understanding of compounds and reactions. Memorize the basics and concepts, yes, but memorizing exact structures is not helpful in the long run.

Anki doesn't have to mean rote. If you actually work through the problems you put on your anki cards, I think it can be valuable. I did this with physics, calc, stats and gen chem as well. On the other hand, there is great potential for someone to misuse it and think they're studying effectively. I would agree that every class needs to be approached differently, and anki should definitely not be the bulk of your studying for Orgo. But I think it can have a useful place in learning just about anything, as long as you can recognize what it is good for / bad for.

 

[kamakazi5]

Anki doesn't have to mean rote. If you actually work through the problems you put on your anki cards, I think it can be valuable. I did this with physics, calc, stats and gen chem as well. On the other hand, there is great potential for someone to misuse it and think they're studying effectively. I would agree that every class needs to be approached differently, and anki should definitely not be the bulk of your studying for Orgo. But I think it can have a useful place in learning just about anything, as long as you can recognize what it is good for / bad for.

Exactly, if OP was just starting out and looking for tips then it might not be of great help but I would hope by the final of organic 2 that they have a pretty decent understanding of the basics. Having dozens of different reactions and reagents can make something like Anki very useful.

 

[alilip]

Thank you for all the advice guys! I buckled down and put in a ton of work and am happy to say that I got an A in the class. Woot woot!