For several semesters at Clayton State I have asked my students for advice they would give to another student on how to study for and succeed in organic chemistry. Here is what they have said, in their own words....

2411:

Visit office hours, do in-class worksheets, practice exams

Study hard. Do all practice questions. See professor for clarification and help

Never wait until the last minute to study. Ask questions when you don’t’ understand something or you may be left behind. Study and practice all items posted online and use office hours to ask questions.

Take good notes. Review notes after class then again before next lecture. Utilize office hours and the CAS. Grab hold of the topics presented as organic is NOT just memorization.

Come to every class, ask questions, do all practice exams and additional problems provided.

Study, study, study…especially your notes for the details because everything builds upon each other. Study Mechanisms.

Take notes and come to class. Read the book. Don’t try to memorize!

Go over your notes everyday after class, practice over and over and ask questions.

Be prepared to study. You need time and patience.

Study every night because it will be a mess if you wait until the last minute.

Complete all handouts, study old online exams, never miss class, study in groups because sometimes others understand what you do not and vice versa.

Do CourseCompass as soon as you get to it in lecture and you have to study and practice problems everyday for at least one hour. Also, practice old exams.

Review lecture notes, study 2 weeks in advance prior to exams, do practice online assignments, work out old exams and review the old exams attempted with the professor. If you do not understand the exam material seek help from the professor.

Read the material before class and start studying early.

Do the class worksheets and tests over and over again along with studying in groups.

You must ask questions. If you don’t understand get help. Take advantage of office hours. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!

Go to office hours. Do all additional problems on website.

Do the online homework as you go, not all at the end. Study all notes, in-class assignments, and especially old tests. You must study to do well.

Read the chapters as they are covered in lecture to keep up with the material.

Go into orgo knowing it is hard, but not impossible. If you don’t get it, ask. It will come back to haunt you!

Study, practice, practice, practice. Form study groups and use all tools available, including professors and tutors.

Instead of memorizing facts try your best to think about why something is, it will make things much easier.

Study with a partner and do worksheets.

Do NOT study at the last minute. Take good notes. Take advantage of office hours.

Study a little after each class what you learned in that lecture and go see the professor earlier than the day of the exam. Teaching to others helps because if you understand it you can teach it. Also, you need to come to class everyday to understand.

Study, do the worksheets and extra help that are provided. Ask questions.

Review old tests.

Don't wait until the last minute to study. Read ahead and get to know the information ahead of time before the lecture just because you think you understand what is going on in the lecture doesn't mean you can do it on your own. Practice outside of class and if you don't get it talk to the professor. I only wish I would have listened to my own advice.

Read over the notes every day and don't wait until the night before to try and memorize everything

Get a good night's rest so you can come to class alert and ready to take good notes. Study some every day, not just before the test. It would help if you looked over that day's concepts later after that class period so that the info sticks. Get the model kit and also don't be ashamed to ask someone else for help because once you're lost it is hard to catch up.

To succeed in the class you must ask questions and study every day or you will get behind.

I suggest rewriting the notes, but not right after class, wait about 1-2 days. I also suggest doing all the online worksheets and working on them with other people (study group). If you work on the with others, if they don't understand a questions someone else in the group can usually help explain it. It also helps to make an outline of each chapter to see the big picture of what each chapter entails.

Not to wait until the night before the test to pick up the book. Study it a little EVERYDAY

I would tell the student to study, do the homework, review their notes, and ask a lot of questions. To succeed they need to be able to have time for studying ad working problems. I think having a study partner would also help.

Anyone who is planning to take organic should do the practice problems online and problems from books, and seek help from anyone if the material is hard to understand. Have a study partner and be able to answer all the objectives of each chapter before the test without the usage of notes or book. This shows that you understand the material and will be able to succeed in class.

Study hard, use office hours, and be on time.

Go everyday to class and take notes. Rewrite notes very neatly after go home. Read the notes everyday and read the book after finish the notes. Do all problems posted online on the website and try to do problems in the book too. Do old exams before you take the exams which are also posted online. If you have questions go the professor's office or ask after the class finishes.

Work the suggested problems in the book and the study worksheets. To spend at least 2 hours per day looking over notes. Don't be afraid to ask questions if something is not clear. Take time on the test, read each question fully. Pay attention to what the questions is asking. Do not just memorize, understand!!!

The most important thing for a student to do is to NOT fall behind. Keeping up with the material is so helpful because if all builds on one another. If you don't understand the first concept, you can't fully understand the second. And if you wait too late, before you know it, it will be test time. In order to succeed in this class, red the book with the class notes next to you and make note cards, do all of the assigned problems do the worksheets posted online (VERY, VERY helpful) and ALWAYS do the practice test. Another important thing to do is space your work out, don't do it all in one night. Do a little each night.

Practice the problems every day, so that the information sticks

Do the worksheets that are posted online. Just reading over the notes will not help you gain understanding and attempting the worksheets let you know what to brush up on before the test. I would also recommend that they see the professor for clarification as soon as they realize there is a problem. They must also come to class everyday since it is hard to catch up on what you missed, especially by teaching it to yourself.

Come to every class, participate in class, read the book, re-read the book, and maybe even read the book some more until you understand the concepts. work out the practice problems in the book and do the worksheets provided online. Learn all the mechanisms and factors that affect mechanisms, because that is the hardest stuff.

Study! Study! Study! I wish I had known better, as I did not study much for the first and second tests. Also, be on the lookout for simple errors that could end up disastrous. That said, you should be very careful when working out a problem and be will prepared.

Read and rewrite the notes after class everyday, read the textbook and do the problems in the book and worksheets on the instructor's webpage. Review notes everyday and ask instructor for any questions or confusion you may have. Another possible helpful tip would be to study in groups. If the student spend at least two hours each day studying, he would succeed in this class.

Study at least one hour a day, and do the practice and old tests. The tests cover everything in the class. The student also needs to do the online worksheets to be successful in O-Chem.

Study as much as you can possibly stand. I think working problems helps the most. The more you seem the better you get. The worksheets online are a great way to practice the problems you are likely to see on the test. I personally like having the solutions manual for your book so I could see how to work out everything and understand it. In order to succeed in this class you have to devote your time to studying and working as many problems as you can. Use your resources and ask for help if you need it.

Keep up with the reading and make sure you read all of the sections. Try to read over your notes from class after class and begin studying a few days in advance. Working the posted practice problems and test also help with application of ideas and further practice.

Study, study, study!! Organic is not for the meek and weary. You must do well; if you do, you can conquer anything. Oh, yeah - it also helps if you have a book!

First, I would tell them the organic chemistry is not an easy subject. If you want to succeed in this class, you must have to make your habit to be punctual in every thing. 1. coming to class on time. 2. write good notes. 3. review your notes after class and rewrite them clearly with understanding each term. 4. study from the text book for your own sake - to further understanding. 5. For this tough course please, please, please spend at least 2 to 4 hours after class if you really want to get A in this class.

I would suggest not working a full time job because it eats heavily into your study time. And I would suggest getting the book before class and not in the middle. I would suggest correcting every test and then using it as a guide to study for final and finally I would suggest studying with a partner or group.

Make sure you have mastered a basic concept before trying to understand a more complex concept. Do as many practice problems as possible. Ask questions. Do the practice tests. Study in groups.

The model kit is helpful when doing chair conformations.

Be prepared to learn lots of new chemistry which was not covered in gen chem. Work lots of problems. Don't get behind.

Come to every class, take great notes, ask if unclear. Most importantly, understand it in class and practice worksheets at home.

Study every day at least 1 hour adn do all the online homework prior to the test.

Come to class every day, ask questions, and do practice problems

Study at least 2 hours daily, ask questions eh  you are unsure, never miss class, and be on time to succeed.

Study hard, review notes, do online assignments and problem sets, and talk to your professor.

Pay attention in class, take notes, and go over the notes at least an hour each night. Do the extra practice problems and the old exams. Ask the professor about any problems during office hours. Forming a study group is a great way to succeed in the class.

Study daily, find a tutor to help you if you need it, make flash cards, get a model kit, and do all assignments.

Study a LOT! DO the extra problems and worksheets online and read the textbook.

Do not procrastinate, study ahead of time, take good notes, do practice exams, and do the additional problems on the website.

Study every day after class, review old exams, do practice problems, and pair up with a study partner.

PRACTICE! Take advantage of the textbook, class worksheets, and additional practice problems.

Try to understand concepts instead of memorizing because the topics are cumulative. Practice problems.

Do the online homework as the material is covered. Don't wait. Do the practice exams and get them checked. The additional practice worksheets also help. Studying with others helps because you learn by explaining.

Read over your notes each day while the material is fresh.

Come to class, sit in the front and ask questions, make flash cards, prepare to study.

Study in groups. Do all the practice exams and assignments. Ask questions. Don't wait 'til the last minute, study a little everyday.

Practice as much as possible, pat attention to lecture, seek help immediately if you are behind or lost.

Keep up with the class. Everything goes together, and if you get behind in one think it might be hard to get caught up to speed.

Work with the model kit and see the professor often. Study every day. Do not let the material build up.

2412:

Review class notes on a regular basis. Do all practice worksheets and tests. Ask questions when you don’t understand something.

Record the lecture and listen to it when going over the notes. Do the additional problems and old exams posted on the website,

Make sure you devote 2 hours each day to studying. It helps to study right after class.

Stay focused like you did for Organic I, stay grounded. Study possibly and hour and half after each class because this is a lot more depth than Organic I.

Study the notes, look over old exams, see your professor for any questions. Try to do the in-class problems right after the lecture. Use the reactions charts to organize all of the reactions. Use flash cards for the nomenclature.

Recording lectures is the best way of doing well in any class, especially Organic chemistry. Practicing problems is also an efficient way to succeed.

Study at least 4 days a week and don’t miss any class periods.

Read over all notes and do practice exams. Textbook is OK but not as helpful as the notes are. Have a good attitude and practice a lot through practice problems.

Study daily. It’s a lot of material, don’t let it accumulate. Take advantage of office hours. Find a group of people to study with, not a group of friends, but people who know things you don’t.

Review every day. Work on practice problems form worksheets. Visit the professor for questions. Work in study groups to gain assistance from peers.

Complete the reaction charts as you learn the reactions in class. Print out the chapter objectives and make sure you are familiar with everything on them. DO all of the worksheets and practice exams on the website. Always come to class!

Organize your notes into charts. Keep looking back at old material. Do all the online extra help assignments.

Come to class everyday – one missed class can make you completely lost. Do all the old tests and online practice problems. These really help and will give you an idea of how the professor asks test questions. You have to put in effort to do well!

Show up to class everyday. Study everyday. If you have questions as the professor or a student that is succeeding. Study with fellow classmates. DO not fall behind!!

The reaction charts are helpful! Us the old exams to practice AFTER studying the material for the exam.

Take good notes, pay attention in class, study your notes each day, do the practice exams, do the additional problems, make reaction charts. Study ahead and stay on task.

Ask questions, come to class, review material on a regular basis.

Stay caught up because some things link together, Get an understanding of the concepts early and if you don’t understand them get help early.

Do not cram! Look over reactions every few days. Use charts! Do online worksheets.

Chem 2412 contains a lot more material details than 2411. It is critical to organize all material from the very beginning since all later materials are related to earlier material. Study every day. Do not procrastinate since it is virtually impossible to absorb all details in a short period of time.

Don’t wait until the last minute to study. Study all notes material and online homework.

Do each exercise sheet after each class, specifically the ones that connect the reactions (reaction schemes).

Study ahead of time, do not wait until time for the test. FO as for help! If you are having problems try to fix it before it is too late.

Make flashcards; form a study group; see a tutor, review your own old tests

Make reaction charts, they are easier to study from than notes. Record lectures and listen to them before the test. This really helped. Sometime I didn't get everything that was important and it helped to re-listen.

Attend class, ask questions, and keep notes organized. Do not wait until the last minute to study.

Make sure you have a recent and strong background from Organic I and sit down every day/night after class to rewrite notes and use notecards for reactions.

Be in class every day, take good notes, and go over them every day after class. Read the book, do all posted assignments, talk to your professor if you have questions.

Study constantly and ask questions.

Use mnemonic devices to help you remember reagents.

Do as many sample problems as you can to get used to the mechanisms as well as synthesis. Once the procedure becomes a habit, it should be simple (easier than memorizing).

Go to tutoring, read and read and read and read again.

Don't get behind! Make sure you know the previous material before more is added. One thing connects to another.

Simply come to class, pay attention, write down the notes and complete the Course Compass. everything is pretty straight forward adn explained in detail. Even if you don't understand enough to get an A the student is given plenty of help to pass.

Please study. I (I'll be honest here) only studied about 1 hour, sometimes 2, for each test, and my grades definitely reflect that. So study, ask questions. use office hours, complete the online worksheets and questions from the book. I bought the laminated study sheet from the bookstore. It provides a quick reference and helped me remember the functional groups, etc.

Make charts of all you reagents/reactants. I feel that this helped me a lot in this course. Stay organized. Practice, practice, practice you homework problems! Do the online homework early and refer back later. Class handouts are good hands-on practice also - do them! Ask questions in class.

In order to be successful one has to study practice daily. Study reagents and know them like the back of your hand. Also visit the professor's office daily and figure out what you don't know or else you will have problems moving on to the next level.

Work synthesis problems and practice problems over and over again..

Study every night. Also make flash cards to help you with the reagents. Get together with other classmates. To succeed in this class you need to study.

At least read your notes daily. Everything is very cumulative so I would go back and read all your past notes and work lots of practice problems, especially for synthesis.

Go over lecture notes, review past tests, make note cards for every reaction taught, and ask questions!!

Be prepared for reactions because there are a lot of reactions in this class. Take some time out and study because without studying you will not pass this class. Ask questions and go to the professor's office for help. Do practice problems.

I would definitely recommend going over your notes daily so that you don't forget anything. in addition, it is imperative that you understand what reagents cause certain products to form. Also, another helpful hint would be to make tables that show all the ways possible to form different compound from what you've learned in class. It is also helpful to do the study problems on the web. The best advice would be to keep up or stay ahead; NEVER FALL BEHIND.

I would tell other students to work organic problems everyday and do not get behind on studying. The students should also read over notes at least 5 days a week and make study cards with the different reagents and their reactions.

Always stay on top of your homework and problem sets. As soon as you finish a section in class, go home and work the problems that way you can find out if you have any questions about it while it's still fresh on your mind.

Never miss a class because you'll miss a lot. Pay attention in class. Study at least 1 hour every day. Get study partners.

Study the notes and complete the worksheets for the test. Let the professor check your work from the worksheets so you know what you did wrong and why you did it wrong.

Try to study a little bit each night, that way when exam time comes around there's not so much to learn. Allow yourself at least 2-4 days of complete studying (i.e. doing worksheets, reviewing old exams, doing quizzes, etc.). Go see your professor during office hours. why sit in the class and fail when you could be getting help?! take advantage of class time; ask questions.

Review and rewrite all notes before the next class session

When taking a multiple choice test it is helpful to do the complete reaction to get the answer. Then check your answers available and compare. For naming, name the compounds first before looking at the answers.

Organizing material in chart form - it makes 10 pages of notes much easier to understand

I recopy each lecture's notes - the more I write things the more I remember.

The daily quizzes. The upcoming quiz forces you to study the material, rather than putting off doing any studying at all until the week before the test.

Make charts definitely. Making charts of different reactions, reagents, and mechanisms made everything less difficult and not as all jumbled up. Everything was much easier to learn when it is all sorted together.

The extra practice problems helped me because in class I felt like I understood what is going on but when I'm faced with the test I don't get it. But with the practice problems I have a chance to work on the problem without any help and it gives me an understanding.

The solutions guide that came with the book was very helpful.

I try to work out all of the examples in the notes without looking at the notes

Read and rewrite the notes again

Do problems on web

Utilize charts

Group common reactions

Review notes following lecture

Practice problems and web page questions

Repetition! Repetition!

Organization!

Rewrite notes to condense material

Organizing all reducing agents together

Making charts

The worksheets from the web: complete the worksheets first and then view the key

Make organized and detailed charts with all of the solvents and which solvents are use fro which reactions

The structure (outline format) of the notes was very helpful in organizing the test material into a size that was easier to study

I liked the quizzes - they kept me focused

Review sheets on website

Do all worksheets twice

Read each chapter at least 2 times; before the lecture and again before quizzes and exams

Read over notes from lecture after class and again before quiz or exam

Do all problems: one time before lecture and again before quiz or test

The best method for studying/preparing for the tests was to review the notes daily and to rewrite all mechanisms and equations

The organizational charts and quizzes were very helpful

It was helpful for me to use flashcards. I noticed that right before the last test.

Using tables with reagents

Taking good notes in class really helped

Making tables of the different reagents , what they react with, and what the product was really helped

Combining information to study reaction is very helpful

Study the notes and use the book after each class

Recopying the notes is very effective and also helps you better understand the material

Working the worksheets on the web

Making the tables that organize the material

Repeatedly going over the notes

The chart is great, because it is organized data rather than the raw data the the books gives. It is easier to absorb and understand

The charts that organize everything

Use charts and class notes. That's all you need to make a good grade.

Study in groups to get better idea in synthesis and mechanisms.

Don't wait until the last minute to study. Work through the old exams.

Study a lot. When you finish studying, study some more.

Read through your notes and as you go make charts. You need to use the information everyday through homeworks and practice to really master it.

Study with someone. If you cannot explain something to them, you yourself do not understand it. Going over past exams helps greatly.

pay attention, take notes, study, work practice exams, understand concepts and mechanisms instead of memorizing.

After each class go home and read over/review notes taken during class, do problem sheets, practice problems, and do not get behind. The most important thing to do is practice, becasue once you know the structure/mechanism of the reaction you should know how to do all problems with that reaction.

Organize the reactions; most of the reactions are the same and react similarly, they just apply to different functional groups.

Make notecards of reactions throughout the semester and study them as you go along. as long as you are willing to work in this class and ask questions if you don't understand something you will do well.

Study every day and review before class, do all practice exams and worksheets, work in groups, see the professor when necessary, rewrite your notes.

Study the notes after each class, go to the professor's office every chance you get, do the worksheets and old exams, practice the reactions and ask questions, study with a group.

Make a lot of charts for all of the reactions and don't try to just memorize, but rather understand the mechanisms and WHY a reaction occurs the way it does.

Study the notes after class, do the extra worksheets online, and do not wait until the day before the exam to seek help.

Attend class regularly, complete assignments both in class and online, visit professor regularly with any questions, and ask for help at the Center for Academic Success.

Take good notes in class. Study everyday, don't wait until the day before the test to study. Do the practice problems online, they help a lot! Read the book ahead of time before the material is covered in class. Ask questions.

Be very organized, and study your notes after each class.

study for at least 2 hours every day.

Make charts for reactions, make notecards for nomenclature, physical properties. Study after every class, because new material builds on earlier material, and you don't want to forget anything (you WILL see it again!)

In-class worksheets/problems are very helpful. Looking at old exams will prepare you for the exam. Actually work out the problems when studying. Don't just memorize.

Study the notes and do practice problems. Don't be afraid to seek help from the professor.

Note cards! Do them to study for every test and them use them again for the final. Do the worksheets. Do not cram before exams.

Review the material every day and review it right before class. Making flash cards and charts of the reactions helps.

Read the book ahead of time, take good notes, review notes, and recopy notes. Take advantage of the practice problems provided by the professor or at the end of the chapter.

Study your notes, and actually post reactions and/or reagents around you. Make flashcards to help study. Study with someone. Ask questions and seek help if you need it.

Attend all classes and read over the material before the lecture so you will have at least a brief understanding of the subject.

Practice is the key. Do a lot of homework and read the nook before coming to class. Be in class on time; the lecture is important since the exams always cover what is in the lecture.

Study, study, study. Come to class and be determined.

Go over your notes again and again. Read the book, and always do the practice problems posted online. Practice the old exams.

it is absolutely necessary to attend every class session, and not depend on the textbook as an adequate substitute for the lecture.

Charts of reactions are a tremendous help.

Rewrite notes after each class.

Study regularly, preferably right after the lecture for better understanding. Some concepts are built upon previously ones, so keeping up with the instructor is crucial. Practice problems and sample exams are the greatest study guides.

There are too many reactions to memorize, so try to make a chart or find any similarities. Also look at the big picture... what do you have, and what are you trying to make? Don't wait until the last minute!!

Never miss class and always ask questions if you don't understand.

Stay focused.

Rewrite the notes when you study. Study with a reliable person. Pay attention in class.

Do the reaction schemes and use them to help you study. Practice nomenclature so you won't have to spend a lot of time on that on the exam.

Don't forget the CourseCompass. Do every homework assignment. pay close attention to the multiple-choice questions.

Make charts for each kind of reaction and for each functional group. The chart will help you to have less frustration and confusion when studying for the final. Keep in mind which reagent is oxidizing/reducing. etc. (understand the reagents, don't just memorize).

Study the notes and old exams. Actually work out the questions on CourseCompass, don't just do them to get the credit.

Study. Study HARD!!!

Last but not least ask Dr. Clower, she will go out of her way to help you!

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