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What best way to study chemistry?

What is the best way to study organic chemistry?

  • I am taking both Orgo I and II over the summer semester. In Orgo II, we need to remember all the reactions and mechanisms from Orgo I. I want to get an A in this course but all these reaction mechanisms seem too overwhelming to me. What is the best way to study. I will do whatever it takes but I don't have much time. The semester ends on Aug 15th. Please help me out. I want to utilize the weekend studying this stuff.

  • Answer:

    my opinion: organic chemistry is actually easy when taught by energetic and good instructors, and, you take the time to regularly review what's being taught. you seem fairly motivated to do well, you'll be fine. what text book are you following - solomon? try to make time to study org chem a little at a time, the moment you feel overwhelmed, just close the book. you're not going to be able to feed more stuff into your brain if you're overwhelmed already. come back to studying a little later and see if you can focus again. if you are looking into reaction mechanisms, mechanisms by jerry march is a really good book. try and get a good grasp of how to move electrons using arrows - for this you need to be fairly thorough with the first few chapters. after you study each chapter, try to solve the questions at the end of the chapter. this will essentially help to clarify what you have and haven't understood. and, if you post your specific questions on yahoo answers, you know some will answer them. good luck.

Isha at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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not on drugs....maybe

got_deam_munalla

first love your subject you have chosed. Begin your studies by starting with a prayer asking god to help you to understand. then study with your full concentration without thinking about anything.ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR EXAMS .DONT WASTE TIME AS IT IS PRECIOUS

sapamukhi

Find someone who is doing really well in the class and study with them.

?Abundant Sunshine?

O-chem is like learning a language. You could memorize all the vocabulary and grammar rules, but unless you use it everyday, it's hard to put everything into context and use efficiently. Since it's unlikely you can do each and every one of the experiments, the best thing would probably be to DO AS MANY PRACTICE PROBLEMS AS POSSIBLE. The more you're challenged and forced to think critically about a certain reaction or mechanism, the easier it will be to remember and utilize the next time you see it. O-chem is a very tough class, and it's even harder since you're taking both 1 and 2 during a summer session. Good luck!

crazy_sherm

It's all about pratice and more pratice and revising your notes along with some studying.

Lore

When I took Organic I was headed for a C. I got out of this mess and achieved an A- by purchasing the Solved Problem manual that went along with our text book and studying how the problems were solved for many many problems. The key for me was to pay attention the where the electrons are going, what atoms and groups are electronegative and which are electropositive (creating partial positive or negative charges). Draw diagrams showing how electron pairs or unpaired electrons are attracted to positive carbons, etc. If an electron can move to form a bond, or a stable intermediate molecule, then that is favored. This approach will let you focus on a few simpler rules to predict reaction mechanisms. You can also try to memorize all the different reaction mechanisms, but I found this to be too difficult.

Steve

It was a long time ago when I studied Organic Chemistry.....I know it's hard. The way I did it was to study the different mechanisms over and over again.....try to memorize as many as possible. Diligence is critical in this subject.

teulid

Take good notes.

bereftcat

Make your own flash cards, numbering both sides. Vis-aid used to make organic chem flash cards but they are no longer around. Maybe someone has a set. http://www.flashcardexchange.com

helixburger

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