Best way to Study this..

I don't have any websites, but I am a chemist so I know a thing or two.

How I passed: Flashcards. Most of chemistry is pure memorization. Bring them with you everywhere. Even if you have 5 minutes take em out and go through them. Repetition is the key.

If you ever need any help to feel free to ask =) I love chemistry!

 

It sounds so rude, but the For Dummies books have a knack for simplifying things. I'd also agree flashcards are a fantastic idea

Foxface

 

Maybe it'd help to get a model kit or some way to model molecules in 3D if you ever have issues mentally visualizing the chirality/stereochemistry of molecules.

 

You're absolutely right.

It helped me with identifying the configurations of the chiral carbons a lot.

And don't forget about the countless hours on the 5th floor of the library while your friends are out having a good time, sorry that was me.

 

I don't know how much help I can be (i'm a freshman in high school)

You could try making a Quizlet and finding flashcards or making your own

 

Here's my two thoughts on how people handle organic chemistry:

1. Straight memorization. Load up with examples so much that you'll know exactly how to do that problem on the test because you've done it 100 times before. (this does work for some people)

2. Understanding the chemistry. If you learn to understand principles about polarity, electrophiles, nucleophiles, intermediate stability, etc, you can figure out the outcome of the reaction. (this is pretty difficult)

You are going to have to find a combination of these two that works for you. Memorization will help, but it won't help you much with that curve ball your professor puts on an exam.

I am also going to agree with the model kit. It really helps with chirality which can be very confusing. I wouldn't buy a nice one though because you probably won't use it for much besides chirality.

My biggest pieces of advice:

1. Do a lot of example problems

2. Whatever you do, don't try to cram for ochem because you will crash and burn. I got a 45% on one midterm that I crammed for. Study as you go along, or you will get buried.

 

I really recommend this. Chirality was tricky for me... especially when there are more than two chiral centers. Then it becomes really confusing. I would use the model kit as you write out the reactions on paper. If you're feeling lazy, for carbons that only have H-atoms, e.g. alkyl groups, don't put any white balls (H-atoms). Just visualize the H-atoms xD

Everyone gave good advice, but I just want to reiterate some points.

I don't remember much conceptually, so I can't help you there. I have some study tips though. Using this method, I got A's on both semesters of orgo:
- Go to every single lecture. I was grateful that my professor was good, lol.
- Take good notes in lecture in a notebook. Copy down all problems and solutions.
- In a different notebook, copy down the problems shown in class with space left between each. Don't write down the solutions. You can do this after class.
- The next day, do the problems from memory in that notebook. Compare your answers to the solutions in your other notebook. For those you can't do, do whatever it takes to figure them out. Look in the textbook for the method, use online resources, ask your professor.
- Always always always do the homework problems. Get the textbook and solutions manual with it.
- Do problems outside from the assigned ones too. Each chapter's section may have practice problems right after it. It's a way to check whether you understand what the section just covered. Practice improves retention.

I feel like this method is similar to studying for any math course too, but the material is obviously different. It's really time consuming to study for orgo but it's worthwhile if you want a solid grade.

 

I'm taking it right now, and while my current high school class is a joke and I have a 98, I occasionally watch Crash Course Chemistry on YouTube and it's a really good set of videos. Made by Hank Green from vlogbrothers