Organic chemistry is one of the most dreaded courses for premed students. It is notorious for being difficult, time-consuming and irrelevant to medicine. However, as a premed student who survived organic chemistry with an A, I can tell you that it is not impossible to ace this course and even enjoy it. Here are some tips on how to survive organic chemistry as a premed student.
1. Understand the basics
Before you dive into the complex mechanisms and reactions of organic chemistry, you need to have a solid grasp of the basics. This includes the structure and properties of organic molecules, the types of bonds and interactions they form, and the nomenclature and classification of organic compounds. These topics may seem boring and trivial, but they are essential for understanding the logic and patterns of organic chemistry. Make sure you review these topics regularly and practice naming and drawing organic structures.
2. Learn the logic, not the memorization
One of the biggest mistakes that premed students make in organic chemistry is trying to memorize everything. This is not only inefficient, but also ineffective. Organic chemistry is not a collection of random facts and rules, but a logical system of how molecules behave and react. Instead of memorizing every single reaction and mechanism, you should focus on learning the underlying principles and patterns that govern them. For example, you should know why nucleophiles attack electrophiles, why carbocations are stabilized by resonance and induction, and why elimination reactions favor more substituted alkenes. By learning the logic behind organic chemistry, you will be able to apply it to new situations and solve problems more easily.
3. Do lots of practice problems
The best way to master organic chemistry is to do lots of practice problems. Practice problems will help you reinforce your understanding of the concepts, test your knowledge and skills, and expose you to different types of questions and scenarios. You should do practice problems from your textbook, lecture notes, online resources, and past exams. You should also try to do them under timed conditions and without looking at the answers or solutions until you finish. Doing practice problems will not only prepare you for exams, but also for the MCAT and medical school.
4. Get help when you need it
Organic chemistry is not a course that you can learn on your own. You will inevitably encounter difficulties and challenges along the way. That is why you should seek help when you need it. You can get help from your professor, teaching assistant, tutor, classmates, or online forums. You can ask questions, clarify doubts, review concepts, or discuss problems with them. Getting help will not only improve your understanding of organic chemistry, but also boost your confidence and motivation.
5. Find ways to make it fun
Organic chemistry may seem like a dry and boring subject, but it can actually be fun if you find ways to make it interesting and enjoyable. You can do this by relating organic chemistry to real-life applications, such as medicine, pharmacy, biotechnology, or food science. You can also use mnemonics, analogies, stories, or jokes to remember and recall information. For example, you can use the phrase "Eddie Loves Dogs But Not Cats" to remember the order of electronegativity (F > O > N > Cl > Br > I > S > C > H). You can also watch videos, podcasts, or documentaries that explain or demonstrate organic chemistry in an engaging way.
6. Don't give up
Organic chemistry is not an easy course, but it is not impossible either. It may take a lot of time, effort, and perseverance to succeed in it, but it will be worth it in the end. Organic chemistry will not only help you prepare for the MCAT and medical school, but also develop your critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills that are essential for any future doctor. So don't give up on organic chemistry; embrace it as a challenge and an opportunity to grow as a premed student.
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