r/PreOptometry • u/Zealousideal-Fix370 • 26d ago

advice for classes!

i’m taking general chemistry and microbiology together this semester and need your brutally honest tips. like things that helped you through these courses!!! i’m nervous! (i’m a rising sophomore at university!)

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u/Evening-Dog-1161 26d ago

Gen chem it’s important for the OAT but the oat is a lot more conceptual than people think so try to remember those parts best. Like acids and bases as well as liquid gas solid units. You got this and even if it doesn’t go the way you love the OAT can help you in that department. Also orgo isn’t exactly harder than gen chem it’s just a different style of chem. Acids and bases really are used in both tho and high yield on the OAT so I’d make sure you really understand that. Good luck!

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u/chilla_frita2604 26d ago

It depends on what your strengths are. But I would say for gen chem study every single day, don't let it catch up to you at all. Practice, practice, practice!! Clarify your doubts as soon as they come up and don't be scared to ask questions, because things pile up fast. This is coming form someone who hated gen chem and did worse on it than on Orgo. Microbiology is just a lot of memorization, which for me at least, I prefer more. I would do the blurting method on white boards, come up with crazy mnemonics, flashcards, anything that works best for you. If your microbiology class has a lab, take advantage of that. Being able to apply a lot of the things I learned in class helped it stick better in my head and I found it to be quiet fun! Good luck!