In addition to the SRS there are many helpful tools to help get through Organic Chemistry. These are all tools I used while in Organic Chemistry or while studying for the DAT.
Organic Chemistry as a Second Language introduces concepts in a fair and understandable way. I found it essential and took the place of a tutor. Working through confusions instead of having it taught to me gave me a great understanding of the material.
Chad’s Organic Chemistry videos are made for MCAT/DAT review, and they are helpful for anyone currently in the course. They helped me a lot when I was studying for the DAT and I wish I had them for the MCAT and while I was in Organic Chemistry. If the video is having trouble playing try using VLC Video Player. Copy the things Chad writes on the board onto a piece of paper, then put the examples and facts into the SRS. (Note 8/23/10: Chad’s videos have recently become pay-to-access. I have been told they are updated and higher quality than before. The old videos were worth the asking price, so I imagine the updated ones contain as much or more value. If you have experience with it please post in the comments.)
Using printer paper instead of loose leaf paper. A stack of several hundred will cost a few dollars. The lines on loose leaf paper can be mentally constricting and get in the way of the material. I only realized how beneficial this after making the switch. A clever person shared this idea with me.
Practice problems from the book are usually good hints to what may come on an exam. Before I began using SRS to study I would do problems over and over again until I could barely think. Creatively putting them into the SRS using the Organic Chemistry models will save time and brain frying. If there is a solutions book to the textbook, I recommend that as well. Costs less than taking the class again!
Some people like the rubber/plastic models. I used mine to make animal shapes. They may help when tackling stereochemistry.
A cool trick I found to quickly count carbons:
Since the carbon chain is “open”, having one terminal carbon “up” and the other “down”, we know it is an even number of carbons.
Each circled bar is two carbons. Four bars = 8 carbons.
Since the carbon chain is “closed” in that it begins and ends at the same side, we know there is an odd number of carbons.
Each circled “bar” is 2 carbons. Count the number of bars and add one. Five carbons!
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Hey!
I just wanted to let you know that this site is absolutely amazing! Thanks so much for the advice and tips!
Well thank you! I am glad the site is helping. When I used Anki to study for ochem on the DAT it was a breeze, and I knew I had to share these things. Ochem is a reasonable class with consistent effort. Which are you in now?
[...] Language, Chad’s videos, and lots of practice problems. Information on these can be found in the Tools for Organic Chemistry [...]
Hey, first off, thanks a ton for this resource (I actually found it from ajatt on twitter). I really like this guide and I’m glad someone has already paved the wave.
I’m studying for the MCAT and was wondering if you knew (or could ask around since I have no friends online, lol) for an orgo chem drawing program for mac?
Thanks to you, I’ve learned how to use LaTeX and yes, it has made a huge change in making cards, not just for the MCAT, but for the languages I’m learning (accents and so forth). I would really appreciate it!
Oh, nevermind, I just read the links on the next section for Chemdoodle and chemdraw.
This is awesome. Thanks a bunch!