<p>Also, don't get all spun out if you have to retake a course. There are so many kids out there retaking courses either because they failed or got a grade that was a little low for admission to their major or got an impossible instructor. Retaking is becoming a common occurrance. You are not alone.</p>
<p>MIT has open courses on the web. Maybe their chem course can help you learn some problems in a different manner. Just a thought
<a href="http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Chemistry/index.htm%5B/url%5D">http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Chemistry/index.htm</a></p>
<p>Sax's idea is a good one. I learned a lot of Organic Chem by watching webcast lectures from Prof. Vollhardt at UC Berkeley.</p>
<p>Wolfpiper, hang in there. You are not the only one and as others have stated, the curve may come at the end. My son is being weeded out by his Physics II class--his first test was a 32--highest in class was a 68 and average somewhere around 40. From talking to others, son has heard that if most of class is failing this prof will institute a curve at the end of semester--makes for some real nail biting though. If the worst happens--he retakes.</p>
<p>I think it is worth remembering that students really DO get weeded out, and from the college's perspective, that is a good thing. In my freshman biology class, we began with 105 premeds (plus me! an English major); by the time they finished (over 3 years), they had 35 premeds, and 33 went to med school. Sounds great, except that 60 of those 70 other premeds would have been great doctors had they gone elsewhere. But there was no way the college was going to risk the application of 95 premeds, and having their "success" rate decline. </p>
<p>By definition, weed-out classes have as much to do about the "other guy" as they do about you. A curve still means that (depending on the school) half to two-thirds or three-quarters aren't going to make it. </p>
<p>I don't have any better study advice than what has already been offered - I got a C minus!</p>
<p>And, of course, you may find a completely different--and wonderful--career direction. When I look back on the things I thought I wanted at your age, I'm really grateful for the ones I didn't get, because the things that did happen were so much better. So do your best, but keep an open mind. Life may have a different plan for you.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. I talked the instructor today which was pretty... not helpful. The only advice he gave was to work the problems from different sections (i.e., section 1, section, 5, section 2, section 5 again), so you don't get locked in a mindset. Said the problems all came from the homework--huh? Posted corresponding hw problems on the master key, so I might give that a look later. Said if I'm getting the hw I should be getting the tests--shouldn't more of us be getting the tests, then? Tests are graded harshly--one set up error (wrong molar mass, etc.) is minus 4 points (of eight) but that set up error will get you 2 more points off for a wrong answer. All points off for finding a wrong value in part 1 of the problem and using it in part 2, so effectively very litte partial credit. One challange problem per test that even the TA's seem to struggle with. </p>
<p>I don't know how to get tutoring for work I understand. How can I go in for help with hw if I'm GETTING all the hw? That's what I don't get. Where's the red flags here?</p>
<p>This is new instruuctor, but the other prof. is said to be just as harder (used to be considered harder until this test...seriously). Everyone just says to bank on the ACS final, which also can replace our lowest exam. It's too late to drop, and I got 70 on the first test (question was thrown out), good lab grades, etc., so failure is not certain.</p>
<p>I feel like hell, though.</p>
<p>I think this is not at all a time to be questioning your career goals or choice of colleges. Believe in yourself--as we do--and continue to work. </p>
<hr>
<p>Imo, people with test grades at or very near the class average are not going to fail the course.</p>
<hr>
<p>
[quote]
how do I ask for help if all the quizzes/homework indicate I'm getting it?... How can I go in for help with hw if I'm GETTING all the hw? That's what I don't get.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Look at your mistakes on the tests. Look for patterns, analyze your work. What types of mistakes do you typically make on tests? </p>
<p>If there are patterns, if you are consistently making the same sorts of mistakes, even if they are seemingly simple mistakes--calculation errors, even copying mistakes--then you know what to practice, and you know what to consider asking for help on, and you know where to be extra careful on the next test.</p>
<p>Be sure also to look very carefully at the master key that shows which test problems correspond to which homework problems. Figure out the connections between homework and test. Ask for explanations if you don't see the connections.</p>
<p>Don't put much stock in what TAs say won't be on a test. The more you understand, the less you need to worry what is on the test. And the more you learn.</p>
<p>Hang in there!</p>
<p>Another way is to take the course somewhere else. My kids took Chemistry from University of Washington through distance learning while in high school. They were quite nice, fair and with no much cost. I also know that my college have many students enrollment in organic chemistry during the summer to escape weed out class from other schools.</p>
<p>If peer tutoring is available at your school, you might want to sign up for a few sessions even if you feel you understand the work. Tutors are usually students who have gotten an A or B in the course and have figured out how to translate and apply the lecture and hw problems into the knowledge needed to be successful on the test. The tutor may just show you how to look at the material differently. Hang in there and keep trying. Most college science courses wind up curved at some point. Good luck.</p>
<p>Wolfpiper, your comment about partial credit got me thinking..... you may be mastering the material (in your head) because you "get it"; the professor doesn't care if you get it; he's looking for evidence that you can manipulate the data correctly, work through a problem without bumps in the road, i.e. master the technique of problem-solving whether or not you feel intuitively that you understand what's going on.</p>
<p>You shouldn't be looking for partial credit as a way to salvage the course.... you may need to rethink the way you're preparing for tests. The heck with understanding.... just drill, drill, drill until you're doing the problems quickly and error-free. Can you ask the professor for copies of old tests so you can work on your mastery???</p>
<p>
[quote]
Another way is to take the course somewhere else. My kids took Chemistry from University of Washington through distance learning while in high school. They were quite nice, fair and with no much cost. I also know that my college have many students enrollment in organic chemistry during the summer to escape weed out class from other schools.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>There are medical programs that do not like to see that an undergrad student has done this - I know nothing about pharmaceutical programs. If you have any thoughts of taking a course elsewhere I would check with your advisor at school regarding the programs that you might apply to down the road.</p>
<p>Wolfpiper, if you figure out the answer, post it, because my son is having the same problem with his Physics. He "gets" the hw., meets with the prof and can do the problems with him and then bombs the test. He tried the tutor, but as you said, he gets the hw, so wasn't much help--it's more like he needs someone to teach him how to take this particular professor's tests.</p>
<p>ha, mkm56 my boy is having the same problem and he had the exact same prof. for first semester of physics and did ok but second semester is doing him in, He can't wait for this semester to be over and never have to take physics again!</p>
<p>Have you people check <a href="http://www.ratemyprofessor.com%5B/url%5D">www.ratemyprofessor.com</a> to find out how previous students say about these professors?</p>
<p>Yep, inverse. He had same prof last semester--so knew it was tough, but doable (got a B+). The only other choice he had was a brand new prof--as it turns out that might have been better, but you never know with no history at all.</p>
<p>Packmom, my son says he will NEVER take another physics course (that is if he passes this one) ;).</p>
<p>ps. Packmom, am headed over to State on Fri.--will PM you.</p>
<p>I have the option to take the course credit/no credit (our version of pass/fail); otherwise, I'm probably looking at "C," so bad but not as bad as it could be, I guess I switched my major to a program that requires another chem. sequence, so I still have a chance to "prove" myself in chem and even the option to take ochem in the future. Would it be disadvantegous for professional school apps. (which requre chem sequence 2, intro/bio&basic organic in one year) if I took the C/NCR option in this class and did well in everything else (A or A- range) this semester and well in future chem classes?</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>My D was taking Ochem ofr her major and a very high level math class as an elective, with mid terms hitting the same days, she was concerned about her ability to do well in both....after much mental struggle she realised that C/NC in the maqth class was no different than doing it in some obscure GE class about which she did not care, so once she realised is should not be offensive to her, she changed that class to CNC and was very happy later...even though she thought she would have gotten a good final grade in it (better than C) she was happy to have relieved herself of the pressure. IF you don't need the grade for your major relax a bit.</p>