Practical solutions for learning Organic Chemistry

  • It’s different to General Chemistry, it’s more conceptual than mathematical, it requires better critical thinking skills, and it comes at a difficult time in the second year. Issues are traced back to the first semester where the foundational material is introduced and developed. As will be shown, most of the key material tracks back to five first semester sections. Not knowing the basics makes it very difficult to do well.

    • Establish the basics early on in Organic 1 - See Preparation & Organic 1 pages

    • Revisit the basics each time a new concept or reaction is introduced

    • Remind students that only so many things can happen in a chemical system

    • Offer students alternative ways of considering material - video, audio, animations

Throughout the site you will find text-based explanations, videos, and more that will make studying Organic Chemistry from the ground up more manageable and interesting.