How to Succeed in Organic Chemistry: Students’ Perspective
Make Organic Chemistry a daily thing.
Study all the time.
Take good notes.
Do Study Guide Problems.
Go to every class.
Listen in class-it is so much easier if you try to understand the material as it is being presented to you than trying to cram for the test.
Write down everything.
Review class notes the same day after class or immediately before the next lecture.
Make flashcards.
Pay attention in class, try to grasp concepts.
Read textbook before going to class.
Be aware of syllabus.
Don’t try to cram for organic.
Go to correct exam room.
Never! Never! Never! fall behind!
Keep up with this class.
Write down all of your questions. Try to get extra help. Go to office hours even for the simplest of questions even if you think you don’t need to.
Learn to write fast.
Leave plenty of room for notetaking, don’t squish the pictures.
If you don’t understand something, ask right away before new material is introduced. It all builds up and you will not be able to catch up afterwards.
Begin studying at least four days before each exam.
Learn HOW to study, like math, reading won’t help you, you MUST work problems.
The theory that you learn in the first 3/4 of the class is essential, initially the class may seem easy, but it is critical to understand from the beginning what is being taught.
Re-read the chapters.
Review all old exams ahead of time.
Always keep in mind that Organic Chemistry is a vital part of the MCAT.
Have a positive attitude going into the class, be open to reading the book, and practice problems.
Don’t think too deeply about how much work it may take, just do a little everyday.
There must be plenty of time spent reviewing the material-daily is best, but especially right after class when the material is still fresh in your mind.
Do not take this class unless you absolutely have to.
The 5 days before the exam should be review time NOT study time.
Work the problems without looking at the answers.
Take this class during a semester in which you have the necessary time to devote to it.
Organic isn’t that hard, it just requires dedicated effort.
Read the text for clarification.
Form study groups b/c you will be more motivated to study. Meet once/week and go over what you learned that week.
Do not sleep in class, pay attention.
Do not take this as an elective.
Be able to apply concepts.
Know Periodic Table trends very well.
Buy the study guide.
It’s all about practice and learning how to manage your time.
Think in 3D.
Talk with former Organic Students.
Learn the rules and vocabulary early on.
This class covers more material more quickly than any other class you’ve taken before, be disciplined and study a few hours every day.
Go over the exams immediately after they are returned to you.
Pay attention to MO theory and hybridization.
Make a composite review sheet, just 2-3 pages, focusing on key points and trouble spots.
Keep a running list of reactions.
Don’t forget anything you learn in the beginning of the semester.
Minimize outside distractions.
Read other textbooks.
Learn to draw chairs.
Learn your reactions backwards and forwards.
Have set study hours specifically for this class.
Sit in the front of the class.
Use molecular models.
Get to know your prof.
Make practice exams for yourself.
Know your acids and bases.
Combine class notes with chapter materials.
Study like you never have before.
Write out mechanisms over and over.
Take notes in class of what is said out loud.
Pay special attention to prof’s hints.
Be optimistic.
Pay particular attention to reagents and solvents.
Don’t procrastinate, it is too hard to catch up.
Use the blank sheet of paper approach after every lecture.
Actually work out the problems, mechanisms.
Take good notes.
There is a great degree of comparison b/w concepts, so it is critical to understand each basic concept.
Know nomenclature, it is easy and will boost your exam grade.
Confidence is key.
The first exam is the easiest, so try your best to do well on it.
1 week of slacking off=2 weeks of catch-up.
Recopy class notes.
Understand the major concepts before worrying about the minor exceptions.
Do all the practice problems you can find.
Don’t just memorize-understand why the reactions occur.
Never give up.