How to Pass Organic Chemistry

So, to be writing this, I obviously had to pass organic chemistry. I know most people reading my blog will likely never take ochem or need to, but I think what I’ve learned is still worth sharing.

To get started, I want to share a little bit about my experience in ochem. I started it in the fall of my sophomore year. My life was pretty busy, but I was thinking “what’s one more science class? I can totally take the lab with it–that makes sense, right?”

I was wrong.

I don’t want to blame the professor entirely, but the grades were very low and the curve did not equal what it was supposed to. So, I didn’t do great, but a large part of it was the curve wasn’t where it should have been. I got screwed over, but it happens. I got (I think) a D my first time around. Obviously I didn’t understand the material, so the lab didn’t go well for me either. I expected the lab to be much easier, but for me it was A LOT of time for not much credit. I took ochem 1 again second semester of my sophomore year. My overall grade was lower, but it curved to a B. One of the reasons college can be really annoying. The following fall, I took ochem 2 and the first lab. I did just fine in both. Only thing I had left was lab 2 the next spring. Again, I did fine. I spent two years in ochem, versus one. Here’s how I did it…

1. Take organized notes
   There’s no point in taking notes if you can’t read them. If you can break them down into topics and condense them as much as you can this helps.
2. Memorize the basic reactions
   The first half of first semester not included, having memorized the basic concept of what changes are made with what reactant can help you be much faster and think about it less. It makes the harder, multi-step problems much easier.
3. Actually look at your notes
   It’s so easy to not do this in college, but I promise it actually helps.
4. Go see your professor/TA
   This can be a couple times a semester, or every time they are available. I went to my TA to clarify so many topics and it was such good use of my time. It’s like having a tutor, but not paying extra for it.
5. Invest in good study guides
   Most of the textbooks just don’t cut it. I linked the most helpful study guide I have ever had. They even let me rent it since I knew I wouldn’t need it again.
6. Do practice problems
   They exist for a reason, and that reason is to help you. It’s annoying but actually so helpful!
7. Do your best
   This class is ridiculously hard. Everyone else is struggling with you. Just try your best, that’s all you really can do.