how to survive organic chemistry

Lauren Abbey
6 Jan 202216:30
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this educational video, Lauren, a chemical engineering sophomore, shares her strategies for excelling in organic chemistry, a course notorious for its difficulty. She emphasizes the importance of staying organized, engaging with the material through pre-lecture preparation and active recall, and utilizing additional resources like lecture videos and extra practice problems. Lauren's personal experience and tips aim to demystify the subject and encourage viewers to approach it with confidence and diligence.

Takeaways
  • 📚 Start with textbook notes to build a foundational understanding before lectures.
  • 🎥 Watch lecture videos in advance to fill in slideshows and prepare for in-class discussions.
  • 🔍 Stay engaged during lectures, actively relating new information to previous knowledge and potential exam questions.
  • 📝 Complete all assigned homework and group assignments thoroughly to reinforce learning.
  • 🗂️ Maintain organization of notes and materials for quick access and mental clarity.
  • 🚀 Take advantage of extra resources like ungraded practice problems to deepen understanding.
  • 🗣️ Discuss concepts with peers or through self-explanation to solidify knowledge.
  • 🔁 Stay on top of coursework to prevent falling behind, as organic chemistry builds on previous chapters.
  • 💪 Don't be afraid to put in extra work; the time investment in organic chemistry is crucial for success.
  • 🧐 Use active recall techniques during exam preparation, creating your own questions to test understanding.
  • 📉 Don't let the fear of organic chemistry deter you; approach it with confidence and determination.
Q & A

  • What is the main topic of Lauren's video?

    -The main topic of Lauren's video is her experience and tips on how to survive and succeed in an organic chemistry class.

  • What academic level is Lauren currently at?

    -Lauren is a sophomore studying chemical engineering at the University of Rhode Island.

  • Why does Lauren emphasize the importance of staying organized in her video?

    -Lauren emphasizes staying organized to ensure easy and quick access to lecture notes, textbook notes, and assignments, which can save time and improve focus in the study of organic chemistry.

  • What does Lauren suggest for creating a solid foundation before attending lectures?

    -Lauren suggests starting each chapter by taking notes from the textbook to create a background understanding of the concepts before attending lectures.

  • How did Lauren prepare for her lectures?

    -Lauren prepared for her lectures by watching the lecture videos posted by her professor, filling in the slideshows, and taking extensive notes.

  • What study technique did Lauren use for her exams?

    -Lauren used active recall by creating a list of questions based on important concepts from her notes and slideshows.

  • What tool did Lauren use for memorization-heavy concepts in organic chemistry?

    -Lauren used Quizlet for memorization-heavy concepts due to its flashcard format, which she found more effective for memorization.

  • What is Lauren's advice on dealing with the pressure and stress associated with organic chemistry?

    -Lauren advises not to let the opinions of others or the perceived difficulty of the subject intimidate you, and to focus on your own journey and study methods.

  • How did Lauren ensure she was actively learning during lectures?

    -Lauren ensured active learning during lectures by staying present, thinking about potential exam questions, and considering how new information fit with what she already knew.

  • What is one of the key takeaways Lauren shares from her organic chemistry class?

    -One of the key takeaways is the importance of not being afraid to do extra work, using all available resources, and seeking help when needed to fully understand the material.

  • How did Lauren approach group assignments in organic chemistry?

    -Lauren made sure to complete and understand the group assignments, not just going through the motions, but actively engaging with the problems.

  • What does Lauren recommend for students who are struggling with certain concepts in organic chemistry?

    -Lauren recommends seeking help immediately, talking about the concepts with peers or even recording oneself explaining the concepts to solidify understanding.

  • How did Lauren handle the workload of organic chemistry assignments?

    -Lauren dedicated significant time to complete assignments thoroughly, sometimes taking over three hours, emphasizing the importance of commitment and effort.

  • What does Lauren suggest to maintain momentum and prevent falling behind in organic chemistry?

    -Lauren suggests staying on top of work, completing assignments on time, and not procrastinating when encountering difficulties to ensure a solid understanding of each chapter.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Surviving Organic Chemistry: Tips and Tricks

In this paragraph, Lauren, a sophomore chemical engineering student, introduces her experience with organic chemistry, a course notorious for its difficulty. She aims to share strategies that helped her succeed, emphasizing the importance of time investment and specific study techniques. Lauren outlines her process, which began with taking notes from the textbook to establish a foundational understanding before attending lectures. She also mentions the additional resources provided by her professor, such as pre-recorded lecture videos and slideshows, which she used to prepare for class. The paragraph concludes with a nod to the importance of staying focused during lectures and actively engaging with the material.

05:02
🔍 Deep Dive into Study Techniques and Active Recall

Lauren discusses her study methods for organic chemistry, highlighting the use of active recall to prepare for exams. She created a list of questions based on the course material, using a toggle menu in Notion, which not only helped her review key concepts but also forced her to think critically about potential exam questions. In addition to active recall, Lauren used Quizlet for memorization-heavy topics due to its flashcard format. She also shares the importance of completing all homework assignments thoroughly, even when they are time-consuming, as this contributed significantly to her understanding and exam preparation.

10:04
📈 Leveraging Resources and Staying Ahead in Organic Chemistry

This paragraph focuses on the importance of utilizing all available resources to enhance understanding and performance in organic chemistry. Lauren encourages students to complete extra problems and practice exercises, even if they are not graded, as they contribute to a deeper grasp of the subject. She also suggests finding a study partner or discussing concepts out loud to solidify understanding. Lauren stresses the significance of staying current with coursework, addressing any confusion promptly to prevent falling behind, and maintaining a proactive approach to learning.

15:06
🌟 Overcoming Fear and Embracing the Organic Chemistry Journey

In the final paragraph, Lauren addresses the common fear associated with organic chemistry and shares her personal journey of overcoming it. She emphasizes the importance of not being swayed by others' negative experiences and maintaining a positive mindset. Lauren provides a list of general tips for success in the class, including staying organized, doing extra work, utilizing resources, and staying on top of assignments. She concludes by encouraging viewers to find their own path to excel in organic chemistry and expresses her excitement for sharing more about her journey as an engineering major.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the design, development, and production of chemical products and processes. In the video, Lauren, the presenter, is a sophomore studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Rhode Island, indicating her academic background and the context in which she is discussing organic chemistry.
💡Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry is the study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of chemical compounds containing carbon. It is often considered a challenging subject, as mentioned by Lauren, and the main focus of the video is to share tips on how to succeed in this course.
💡Study Tips
Study Tips refer to strategies or methods that can help improve learning and retention of information. The video is centered around Lauren's personal study tips that she used to excel in organic chemistry, making it a central theme of the content.
💡Active Recall
Active Recall is a learning technique where a student actively tries to remember information without looking at the material. Lauren uses this method by creating a list of questions based on the important concepts she learned, which helps in better understanding and memorizing the material.
💡Lecture Videos
Lecture Videos are recordings of lectures that students can watch to review or preview course material. In the script, Lauren mentions watching her professor's lecture videos before attending the actual lectures, which was part of her strategy to gain a deeper understanding of the subject.
💡Slideshows
Slideshows are visual presentations that accompany lectures, often used to summarize key points or illustrate concepts. Lauren refers to filling out slideshows provided by her professor as a way to engage with the material before and during lectures.
💡Homework Assignments
Homework Assignments are tasks given to students to be completed outside of class, typically to reinforce learning. Lauren emphasizes the importance of completing all homework assignments thoroughly as part of her study routine for organic chemistry.
💡Group Assignments
Group Assignments involve collaborative work among students to complete a task or project. Lauren mentions these as part of her coursework, where she made sure to understand the material and not just go through the motions of completing the assignment.
💡Quizlet
Quizlet is an online tool used for creating digital flashcards to aid in memorization. Lauren used Quizlet for the memorization-heavy aspects of organic chemistry, highlighting its utility for studying complex terms and concepts.
💡Notion
Notion is an all-in-one workspace for note-taking, task management, and more. Lauren used Notion to create a toggle menu for active recall questions, demonstrating a personalized approach to studying and organizing information.
💡IUPAC Rules
The IUPAC Rules refer to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry's guidelines for naming chemical compounds. Lauren mentions these rules as part of the memorization-heavy concepts in organic chemistry that she had to master.
💡Alkanes, Alkenes, and Alkynes
Alkanes, Alkenes, and Alkynes are types of hydrocarbons with different structures and properties. They are fundamental concepts in organic chemistry, and Lauren uses them as an example of the detailed knowledge required to succeed in the subject.
Highlights

Lauren, a sophomore chemical engineering student at the University of Rhode Island, shares her experience and strategies for succeeding in organic chemistry.

Organic chemistry is often perceived as a difficult class, but Lauren aims to demystify it and provide tips for students to achieve good grades.

Lauren emphasizes the importance of taking notes from the textbook to build a foundational understanding before attending lectures.

Watching lecture videos and filling out slideshows before attending lectures is a method Lauren used to prepare for class.

Lauren recommends staying engaged during lectures, thinking about potential exam questions, and how new information fits into the broader subject.

Completing all homework assignments, even if they are time-consuming, is crucial for understanding and success in organic chemistry.

Lauren used active recall by creating a list of questions based on important concepts to study for exams.

For memorization-heavy topics, Lauren used Quizlet flashcards to aid her study process.

Confidence in exams comes from thorough preparation and not letting the stress of others affect one's performance.

Staying organized is key to managing the workload and accessing information quickly for studying and problem-solving.

Lauren advises not to shy away from doing extra work, such as additional practice problems provided by professors.

Talking about concepts with peers or even oneself can solidify understanding and clarify connections between topics.

Staying on top of work and not falling behind is crucial as each chapter in organic chemistry builds on the previous one.

Lauren encourages students not to be influenced by others' fears or experiences but to approach the class with a positive mindset.

Seeking help from professors, counseling centers, or academic advising is recommended if struggling with the course material.

Lauren's personal journey and strategies in organic chemistry demonstrate that with the right approach, students can excel.

The video concludes with Lauren's anticipation of sharing her experiences in the upcoming spring semester and more engineering coursework.

Transcripts

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Study TipsChemical EngineeringAcademic SuccessOrganic ChemistryNote-TakingActive RecallResource UtilizationTime ManagementEducational VlogStudent ExperienceExam Preparation