To my beloved Organic Chemistry,

I'm sorry that you don't have the greatest reputation amongst biology, chemistry, nutrition, and pre-health students across the globe, because all it took was one lesson of naming your beloved skeletal structure and I was hooked. Typically students are gasping and wincing at just a whisper of your name. Whenever I told a fellow friend or family member that I was taking Organic Chemistry in the Spring of 2016, I received many concerned looks and well wishes. I immediately feared for what the semester would bring. Would I actually stay up past my 11 o'clock bedtime cramming in the library with a hot cup of coffee beside me? Was I going to have to pursue tutoring? Would I fail my first college class and have to leave my rigorous Physical Therapy program? As I scooped up the thick syllabus and wandered into the classroom of 54 students I had no idea what the semester of dreaded organic chemistry would bring.

I remember students whispering negatively about your professor, who after the first day seemed to me like a firm, but fair woman, dedicated to her love for you, and destined for us all to learn and maybe even love you too. Of course with my overachieving and persistent personality, I was determined to receive an 'A' in the stereotypically most difficult college class for science majors. By the second week, I looked forward to doing my organic chemistry homework: watching videos, taking online quizzes, and drawing complex structures on flashcards. I invited the challenge, I invited you in. I welcomed the cis and trans isomers, memorizing the functional groups, and acid-base reactions. I watched my class dwindle down to near 40 students, wishing there was some way I could have handed them some of my passion for you or helped answer a difficult question. There was no better feeling than seeing a sticker on my first exam. You, organic chemistry, certainly call for praise, even for the smallest of accomplishments — finally recognizing a ketone or understanding alkane chemistry. Although the challenge is mighty, the rewards and feelings of satisfaction are plentiful, thank you for that.

I admit, I was frightened by your reputation. I was fearful of the class and lecture for weeks and even more terrified for your exams, but once I found a way to dance with you, it was difficult to leave the dance floor. I want to warn others, not only with organic chemistry but with all college courses: beware of the dangers of assumptions and rumors. Don't skip a class simply because it's supposed to be challenging, don't leave an interesting class off of the schedule because you heard bad things about the professor. College is a time of exploration and challenges, explore interests and accept challenges.

Lastly, please, please, please, organic chemistry, continue to encourage students to ask for help. Present the students with your trickiest problems and keep dishing out passionate and guiding professors. One of the most important lessons I learned from you organic chemistry, is that it's always okay to ask for help, and that asking is never a sign of weakness but purely a sign of strength.

Thanks for such a fabulous semester Organic Chemistry, I am sorry that I have to trade you in for Anatomy and Physiology. I just have one request, show all of your new students how awesome you are, inspire them to accept the challenge and to ask for help, and finally, prove them wrong about your silly, mistaken reputation.

All the best,

An Orgo Student