Of Organic Chemistry

[annabtg]

Tragically enough, I know no Chemistry.

And yes, I realize that coming from me, this sounds as, at best, a blatant lie. But I'm currently studying Organic Chemistry I (which I failed in June) and I'm like "+R -R +I -I SN1 SN2 WTF".

Never mind the heaps and heaps of chemical reactions I'm supposed to remember by heart.

Organic Chemistry was actually my favourite part of Chemistry in school, but that was because I sat down and did exercises throughout the year, so it was a matter of (very little) time until I could complete reaction chains like an easy puzzle. This year, however, I let it pile up. As a result (or rather, as two results):

a) The "general" part, with the reaction mechanisms, R and I etc. phenomena and the like, sounded easy when the professor explained it, I understood it... and then time passed, I forgot it all and now no notes or books seem helpful enough. Ole1, as Mufasa would say. (Or ole2, as I would say to him.)

b) The "special" part, with the aforementioned heaps and heaps of reactions, is too huge to learn in the three days I've left out of the eight I had (procrastination 4ever). At least knowing the mechanisms and stuff would have been a step forward, but since I don't know them, ole2 again. Joy of joys.

The worst part is, I have Organic Chemistry II next semester! Which complicates things more than I have the courage to explain. But my dear f-list is smart enough to realize that.

There's only one solution: STUDY, ANNA, STUDY! OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.

And I just managed to terrorize myself. Go me. I'm obviously in need of therapy.

Reluctantly heading to bed now, because it's 4:33 am. Yes, my sleep schedule remains (something I won't say because I'm polite, or at least I pretend to be).

Hugs,
Anna.

Comments

[ladymirth.livejournal.com]

I think you're a very lucky person if you're able to terrorize yourself. I never managed it, and therefore have to be terrorized by other people to get me off my butt.

I'm sure you'll do fine, honey. Just keep terrorizing yourself. =D

[annabtg.livejournal.com]

Hehe, thank you, Hasini :))

See ya,
Anna.

[pgwfolc.livejournal.com]

Don't know how much this helps, but Dad always said that he found Orgo a lot easier than his classmates because he looked at the bigger picture. Instead of memorizing lists of specific reactions, he looked at the patterns. Learn how an ester behaves, rather than focusing on the details of each specific molecule. That sort of thing. Which is probably what you mean by the "general" part, but thought I'd mention, just in case.

Anyway... good luck. Study hard, study well. I bet that, just like the last exams, you'll surprise yourself by how well you do.

[annabtg.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the encouragement, Paul. :)

Your dad had it right... that's exactly what someone who *knows* Chemistry is able to do. I'm hoping that, by the time of the exam, I'll have learned at least the basics and be able to figure out some stuff :)

Hugs,
Anna.

[pgwfolc.livejournal.com]

Good luck, then. You can do it.

Oh, and don't drink the ethelene hydroxide.

[ely-baby.livejournal.com]

Hmm, well, what can I say to raise a bit your spirit? Let me see, yeah, I've almost done with my first carreer, but next Monday I'll start my second one, which means other three years of studying and exams. *sighs*

I know what it means to have a subject that you think you'll never manage to achieve, and I know that it's not pleasant at all, my nightmare was the exam of the second language. I hated it and kept changing. And if you can't do that, I know that you feel like you'll never manage to graduate, and I know that it's horrible. But you have to forget it. You have to concentrate on Organic Chemistry and only on that. Without thinking at anything, especially at anything bad. Believe me, that helps. :)

[annabtg.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the encouragement and the advice, Elisa! Good luck with your new career, too. :)

Hugs,
Anna.