I have never studied harder for a class and have ended up with such awful results. I managed to get all A’s and A-'s for biology and general chemistry, but I got a B- in organic chemistry 1 and even though I’ve been putting in so much more work, asking for help, and going to extra review sessions, I’m anticipating a B- or C in orgo 2. Are there any specific study habits anyone has that has really helped them through the course? Also, will this deter me from getting into med school? Thanks for the help.
Edit: just realized this is the wrong forum sorry
@WayOutWestMom @mom2collegekids
What is the name of the book that can be used to study for Ochem?
Organic Chemistry As a Second Language. There’s a separate book for each semester.
One B- or even a C will not keep you from getting a med school acceptance–assuming, of course, you don’t give that B- or C a bunch of other Cs and low Bs to keep it company.
OP You should still in the running. Most kids get low on Org., you just have to take some higher level chem to even it out. Its the overall C and S Gpa that counts. Be careful not to get Cs in other courses.
OP my tip is to understand the mechanisms instead of memorizing. So you can apply that understanding whenever you get an out of the blue question. Also, at my school, they use stuff we learn from Ochem 1. Thus, I made special notes on my lap that I can access it whenever I needed.
The last tip is to practice… and I use the Organic Chemistry Textbook by David Klein and some other book name Organic Chemistry by Jonathan Clayden. I will probably check out wayoutmoms book…haven’t heard of it early
You MUST get a good tutor to help you for Organic part 2. This could turn things around for you, just as it has for others. If you get an A in part 2 it will make the grade in part 1 seem less important.
Too late …looks like OP is in Gtown and the final exam period started last Friday. It was still way too late when OP first posted for help on April 11 (assumed it was after the last mid-term exam before the final). Orgo being the top pre-med weeder for a reason - requires complete different study strategy from other pre-med science courses. OP should seek tutor help at the beginning of semester, not when it was almost ending.
@Andorvw I did seek out tutoring from TA’s, changed study habits, and started going to review sessions, but yes I should’ve perhaps tried other ways of studying. I’m asking now because I’m looking to retake the course and I also wanted to know how I can make up for this on my med school app.
@hopelessopus12. You actually need to hire your own private tutor.
Unless you earned a C- or below, I would suggest that you do NOT retake the class.
A retake with any grade below an A will only hurt your med school application. (hopelessopus12 had 2 tries at Ochem and still couldn’t ace it.) Even an A grade in the retake won’t improve your application. (hopelessopus12 got an A in ochem, but it took them 2 tries to master the material)
The best thing you can do to remediate your record is to take biochem and ace it. Show the adcomm members that your weak showing in Ochem was fluke and does not represent your true abilities.