Organic Chemistry is probably one of the most difficult science courses you could take as an undergrad. To survive organic chemistry with a decent grade it will take a lot of dedication. Organic Chemistry will be your life, and you will come to relate and despise the cycle of preparing for an Organic Chemistry exam.
1. Be confident that you understand everything
Around seven days before an Organic Chemistry test, you're going to feel like you know everything. You went to every lecture, took notes, and got every click question correct. Studying will be a breeze- you just need to brush up on a few things. You're definitely going to past this test.
2. Do a few practice problems and realize you know nothing
You sit down in the library, set up your laptop in front of you, and pull out a few sheets of paper and a periodic table. Okay, here we go. Studying day one. You get to the first problem...It goes well....second problem...third...wait, what? When did we even learn this? Somehow one question has you questioning everything you've ever learned about Organic Chemistry. You check the key, only to come to see that both number one and number two are wrong. Did you even learn anything?
3. Spend hours in the library and come to learn everything you thought you know is actually wrong
Day two. You got it this time. You're going to read through the textbook and just jog your memory. There's no way you didn't understand at least one thing taught this month. You beginning reading....day three comes. You read through all the chapter on this exam and took notes. You put in hours in the library., only to come to the conclusion that everything you thought you know is actually wrong, and you are probably going to spend every passing moment of the next four days till the exam only doing orgo, and nothing else but orgo. Orgo is your life, and you're just going to have to accept that.
4. Do problem after problem until you are almost sure you know mostly everything
Day four. You printed out everything you could think of. Powerpoint slides - check. Homework problems - check. Textbook problems - check, past exams - check. You strut into the library with your review packet stacked high. Watch out campus. You're going to show orgo who's boss. You go through your packet once. Then twice. By the time you leave the library, there's a permanent butt print in the chair, you can't remember the last time you ate, and everything you see is kind of starting to look like a chair conformation. You go home and crash. You repeat the same cycle..day five....day six...
5. Leave the test knowing you really know nothing
Day seven...You're sitting in your exam room. Pencil is ready. You think you finally got it. Practice problems finally started to make sense. You might not ace this test, but you definitely won't fail. You have a little confidence in yourself. Until that timer starts and the test begins. You're pretty sure you spent the last week studying the wrong chapter because none of this makes sense. All those hours you spent in the library goes to waste. You're going to have to drop out and live with your parents for the rest of your life.
6. Results!
A few days later, and you've almost completely forgotten about the tragedy that was your organic chemistry exam. Then, you get that dreaded notification. Grades have been posted. You hesitate. Is this really the end? Am I going to have to call mom, tell her I failed and I can't do it. Tell her I need to come home. Your finger hovers over the notification. You close your eyes and click.
A 70!
Not too bad, definitely not an A, but definitely not a failure. Your studying finally paid off, and you at least kind of know what you're doing when it comes to Organic Chemistry. You might just survive this semester without dropping out. Now to sleep for hours because you never know when you'l be able to sleep again. The next test is only three weeks away.
