Orgo first semester?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Johns Hopkins University
1

Should I take orgo first semester instead of general Chem?
Also do I need to take orgo lab with orgo 1 first semester?

2
  1. The pros of taking Orgo in the fall are that it's under covered grades, and I hear that the professor is really nice. The cons are that Orgo requires A. A solid knowledge of Gen Chem, because you'll use the information and skills you learned for learning new Orgo concepts, and B. A *lot* of self-discipline. Orgo's not something you can put off studying for or cram for. This in particular; I know that I took easier classes freshman year and still had to figure out how to study.

If you feel that you have that knowledge of Chem and know how to study (or at least, can quickly figure out how to study), then go for it. Also, if you go for it, avoid taking too many sciences or other work-intensive courses.

  1. Nope.
3

Taking orgo while under covered grades may be tempting, but I would not recommend it. You’re new to the university and the town, you’re away from home, you’re just beginning to figure out how to navigate the various aspects of life and study on campus, and as OnMyWay2013 mentioned, how to study and learn in the most effective way for you. College is very different from high school, and it takes some getting used to in order to achieve the most. That is why covered grades are there - to give you a safety net while you figure this stuff out. I wouldn’t treat them as a rescue for tough classes, because ultimately, your entire career at hopkins is going to be composed of tough classes, and you will not have the luxury of covered grades for the vast majority of them. If I were you (and I was last year), I would not focus on covered grades and take the introductory classes you need, focusing on navigating this new experience calmly and treating covered grades as a “just in case” safety net. Having these easier classes will allow you to work out the best learning/studying techniques and tempos, which will then help you navigate the tougher classes like orgo successfully without needing the rescue of covered grades. Ultimately, you’ll be a better student.

~but that’s just my 2 cents~