Worst Orgo Professor in History!

[IndieMed]

I need advice. I have literally the worst orgo professor in history. What he teaches in class does not correlate in ANY what to what is given on the test. The homeworks somewhat help but still is just a tiny fraction as to what is on the test. To give you an idea, 2/3 of the class of 30 got below 20 on the first test, most in the single digits. Avg was a 20. I had NO choice in taking this class as it is my last one needed to graduate. I'm just going to list my science grades and need to know: what is the minimum grade I can get to not have to retake the class, taking into account how poorly I already did in bio and my orgo 1 retake. And if you're thinking oh I should just drop it, this professor doesn't stick to any kind of rubric and gives about 6 tests per semester.

Gen Chem 1: A-
Gen Chem 2 Honors: A
Orgo 1 Summer: C
Orgo 1 Retake: A
Bio 1: C+
Bio 2: C+

My Gpa is a 3.45 because I have A's in everything else. I'm a sophomore in college. I'm thinking of possibly retaking both bio's. I still have to take physics.

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[New_Slang]

I need advice. I have literally the worst orgo professor in history. What he teaches in class does not correlate in ANY what to what is given on the test. The homeworks somewhat help but still is just a tiny fraction as to what is on the test. To give you an idea, 2/3 of the class of 30 got below 20 on the first test, most in the single digits. Avg was a 20. I had NO choice in taking this class as it is my last one needed to graduate. I'm just going to list my science grades and need to know: what is the minimum grade I can get to not have to retake the class, taking into account how poorly I already did in bio and my orgo 1 retake. And if you're thinking oh I should just drop it, this professor doesn't stick to any kind of rubric and gives about 6 tests per semester.

Gen Chem 1: A-
Gen Chem 2 Honors: A
Orgo 1 Summer: C
Orgo 1 Retake: A
Bio 1: C+
Bio 2: C+

My Gpa is a 3.45 because I have A's in everything else. I'm a sophomore in college. I'm thinking of possibly retaking both bio's. I still have to take physics.

David Klein's Organic Chemistry as a Second Language... Best $20 spent on Amazon (there's one for each semester so use second semester to help raise your GPA)

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

What's your science GPA? It's not really a question of what minimum grade you need to avoid a retake. Technically, a C is passing. But getting 4 C's in prereqs is not great.

Look for other resources that can help supplement your lectures. Khan Academy videos may be helpful. It sounds like most of your class isn't doing so hot but if there's anyone you know who is managing to do well, I'd see if they'd be willing to study with you. For some people, this material just clicks. Maybe having someone else explain it to you (besides your prof) will help!

 

[deleted407021]

David Klein's Organic Chemistry as a Second Language... Best $20 spent on Amazon (there's one for each semester so use second semester to help raise your GPA)

+1
Check to see if your textbook for the course is also Klein. If it is, I very much recommend using it.

As another poster said, Khan Academy is a good, free resource for videos.

 

[7331poas]

Are you sure it isn't more like, he gave the Sn1 mechanism and some practice. Then on the test he gives a compound that may have resonance.

Then, since you have zero critical thinking skills, try to just blindly follow your notes. Then of course, blame your teacher because of this.

 

[medic86]

Are you sure it isn't more like, he is the Sn1 mechanism and some practice. Then on the test he gives a compound that may have resonance.

Then, since you have zero critical thinking skills, try to just blindly follow your notes. Then of course, blame your teacher because of this.

Well, if the class average is a 20, then it's probably the professor.

 

[IndieMed]

Are you sure it isn't more like, he is the Sn1 mechanism and some practice. Then on the test he gives a compound that may have resonance.

Then, since you have zero critical thinking skills, try to just blindly follow your notes. Then of course, blame your teacher because of this.

Trolls like you on this website are of complete uselessness. I'd like to see you get an A with my Professor. It's not a matter of critical thinking skills. I can't apply that if I've never even seen the material being presented, before in life.

 

[mistafab]

Trolls like you on this website are of complete uselessness. I'd like to see you get an A with my Professor. It's not a matter of critical thinking skills. I can't apply that if I've never even seen the material being presented, before in life.

I had an "old timer" o-chem professor. He would be there at 8am, MWF, and spent the lecture talking about what it was like working at a chem department here, and a company there.

It was a great class, and the teacher was very friendly. 100% of what I learned was from self-study with the book and most the class failed every test.

In O-chem, there is a secret formula to success that I will share with you now. Study 1 hour every single day for OChem. There it is, there you have it. Get whatever resources you need, whatever book you want (I used Wiley). If you study 1 hour every day consistently, you will succeed no matter what. OCHEM never changes, and they teach you the same thing every semester and pretty much in the exact same order.

You can sink or swim, but it is up to you to do the work.

Edit: Tell someone "this was a bad professor!!!!!" They will not care and in the end it is the grade you got that matters. Even if the professor IS bad, it doesn't matter. It is your job as the student to learn what you need to. Giving a professor a bad review is something that classes can do to pay it foward, but in the present you need to do what you need to do to get that A or else it is your fault.

 

[IndieMed]

I had an "old timer" o-chem professor. He would be there at 8am, MWF, and spent the lecture talking about what it was like working at a chem department here, and a company there.

It was a great class, and the teacher was very friendly. 100% of what I learned was from self-study with the book and most the class failed every test.

In O-chem, there is a secret formula to success that I will share with you now. Study 1 hour every single day for OChem. There it is, there you have it. Get whatever resources you need, whatever book you want (I used Wiley). If you study 1 hour every day consistently, you will succeed no matter what. OCHEM never changes, and they teach you the same thing every semester and pretty much in the exact same order.

You can sink or swim, but it is up to you to do the work.

Edit: Tell someone "this was a bad professor!!!!!" They will not care and in the end it is the grade you got that matters. Even if the professor IS bad, it doesn't matter. It is your job as the student to learn what you need to. Giving a professor a bad review is something that classes can do to pay it foward, but in the present you need to do what you need to do to get that A or else it is your fault.

Yes I agree. I self study for most of my classes anyways and you have to in college. But professors are there for a reason and get paid for a reason. They are supposed to communicate some sort of material through the student and are supposed to tell you what you need to know in order to pass the class (in which case, my professor does not). If they are of NO use and have students failing every single test then maybe they should rethink they're position as a professor and either focus on research or just retire (like mine should have YEARS ago). I've never had a professor like this in my life and cannot compare him to any other. In the future I could possibly see myself retaking orgo. Hopefully I pass this class. And for those who say I should study more.. I'm studying more than you know.

 

[eteshoe]

David Klein's Organic Chemistry as a Second Language... Best $20 spent on Amazon (there's one for each semester so use second semester to help raise your GPA)

Coupled with Leroy Wade's Organic Chemistry and you can pass ochem regardless of the quality of your prof. Discipline in studying the material is the necessary skill one needs to master organic chemistry.

 

[mr.mkitty]

I had an "old timer" o-chem professor. He would be there at 8am, MWF, and spent the lecture talking about what it was like working at a chem department here, and a company there.

It was a great class, and the teacher was very friendly. 100% of what I learned was from self-study with the book and most the class failed every test.

In O-chem, there is a secret formula to success that I will share with you now. Study 1 hour every single day for OChem. There it is, there you have it. Get whatever resources you need, whatever book you want (I used Wiley). If you study 1 hour every day consistently, you will succeed no matter what. OCHEM never changes, and they teach you the same thing every semester and pretty much in the exact same order.

You can sink or swim, but it is up to you to do the work.

Edit: Tell someone "this was a bad professor!!!!!" They will not care and in the end it is the grade you got that matters. Even if the professor IS bad, it doesn't matter. It is your job as the student to learn what you need to. Giving a professor a bad review is something that classes can do to pay it foward, but in the present you need to do what you need to do to get that A or else it is your fault.

I agree with this.
O-chem is consistent and you can follow material outside of class.
Self study if it is really that bad; I have no doubt that your professor is truly that bad.

 

[bunchesonothing]

If it's possible, get a tutor. Did wonders for me in my reqs.

Didn't need a tutor in my life before.... was kind of put off by the idea at first, but needed to own up to needing help.

And tutors are sometimes able to put concepts in terms that students generally aren't able to wrap their heads around alone.

 

[Gurby]

If it's possible, get a tutor. Did wonders for me in my reqs.

Didn't need a tutor in my life before.... was kind of put off by the idea at first, but needed to own up to needing help.

And tutors are sometimes able to put concepts in terms that students generally aren't able to wrap their heads around alone.

I had also never had a tutor for any class before, but I recognized I was going to need one pretty early on in Orgo. Ended up smashing the tests, got an A. Money well spent!

 

[7331poas]

I recommend Kleins actual textbook over all textbooks (white cover with vials on the front.)

 

[Lannister]

I had an "old timer" o-chem professor. He would be there at 8am, MWF, and spent the lecture talking about what it was like working at a chem department here, and a company there.

It was a great class, and the teacher was very friendly. 100% of what I learned was from self-study with the book and most the class failed every test.

This. I definitely agree that your professor sounds like a pretty bad professor, and I agree that professors should make an effort to teach well, since that's what we're paying them to do. But unfortunately, that's not really within your control. Being able to teach yourself is very important.

And if it makes you feel better, my ochem 1 professor spent the entire semester teaching us how to synthesize crystal meth, and nothing else. We didn't even learn how to name molecules, or learn the names of the functional groups. I didn't know what a carbonyl was until halfway through ochem 2.