[bugbehr]

Howdy!

So I got A's all through Gen Chem 1, but my test scores have been in the high 60's/low 70's for Gen Chem 2 (my Quizzes are around 85-90% though). I'm not sure whether to attribute my low test scores to poor time management, my workload, an extremely high standard on the exams, or the professor's style of teaching.

To me, it seems that my professor often jumps into topics without any introduction - basically, it seems like I need to understand these topics prior to the lecture. While I can read the textbook before lectures to solve most of these problems, it doesn't work so well for things not covered in the book. I attend all of the lectures, discussion/review sessions, read/outline the textbook, complete and understand the homework, etc. but I still find myself struggling. Also, it seems that the class operates on a foundation of knowledge that isn't explicitly taught in the class. For example, on our last exam we were asked to find the equilibrium constant for a reaction involving compounds given only in name, and not chemical formula. I was completely overwhelmed at this point - these compounds weren't included on the list of "compounds to memorize" given to us, and we had actually skipped most of the nomenclature sections of our textbook. Also, I've had to write lab reports on topics related to organic chemistry, but I've never received any instruction on the foundations of orgo.

Is this just a lack of foundational knowledge on my part? I get the feeling that the rest of my Gen Chem 2 class knows far more about chemistry than me. My high school chemistry background is also particularly weak, because scheduling conflicts/restrictions allowed me to take AP Physics and Biology (got A's in the classes and 4's on the exam) but forced me to take non-honors Chemistry. If the problem is indeed with me, how should I go about preparing for Organic Chemistry next year? Because I'm stumped and lost, with no idea how to find my way.

[Arkcon]

You've given us a couple of specific problems you're having, but I still feel we're not getting the big picture.  In this example:

For example, on our last exam we were asked to find the equilibrium constant for a reaction involving compounds given only in name, and not chemical formula.

Maybe if we could see the exact wording of the problem, maybe I'd understand better.  But yes, in a general sort of way, you should have gotten the basic chemical nomenclature down pat by now.  I mean, you did say, you got A's in General Chem I, so every quiz on nomenclature came back 90-100%, you got the nomenclature parts of exams without a miss ... right?

I was completely overwhelmed at this point - these compounds weren't included on the list of "compounds to memorize" given to us, and we had actually skipped most of the nomenclature sections of our textbook.

Maybe you should review them on your own, and can give us the specific problems you're having.

Also, I've had to write lab reports on topics related to organic chemistry, but I've never received any instruction on the foundations of orgo.

Yeah, that'll happen sometimes.  You get sort of a whizz-bang intro to organic molecules, because, hey, its still chemistry?  Right?  It is a little tough on you 'tho.  You're left memorizing things that, once you get to organic chemistry, you can learn o figure out logically.

Is this just a lack of foundational knowledge on my part? I get the feeling that the rest of my Gen Chem 2 class knows far more about chemistry than me. My high school chemistry background is also particularly weak, because scheduling conflicts/restrictions allowed me to take AP Physics and Biology (got A's in the classes and 4's on the exam) but forced me to take non-honors Chemistry. If the problem is indeed with me, how should I go about preparing for Organic Chemistry next year? Because I'm stumped and lost, with no idea how to find my way.

Hard for me to follow this, unless you're in an advanced undergrad chemistry class, or by poor fortune, everyone else took AP Chem in high school and the instructor knows that, and has re-tailored the syllabus to match.  But that seems unlikely.  In college, you get former AP students, former honors students, regular students, kids from foreign nations with different academic traditions, older people returning to school after years away from high school, people who aren't chemistry majors who just think the class is cool, etc.  So I don't see how you realistically can be the only one lost.

At any rate, after you've posted a few of the specific problems you've been having trouble with, we may be closer to knowing what you need to do.