Is Organic Chemistry really one of the hardest college classes?

As I'm considering a pre-med track, I've often heard about Organic Chemistry being a nightmare. Is it really one of the toughest college courses out there? Anyone with personal experience out there willing to share?

Organic Chemistry is often considered one of the more challenging classes, especially for pre-med students. The course usually focuses on the structure, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-containing compounds, which includes not only hydrocarbons but also compounds with a number of other elements.

Why students find it hard varies. However, it's generally because of the conceptual depth, the pace of the class, and the necessity of applying learned concepts and rules in a rather abstract way. It's not necessarily "hard" mathematically, but it requires protected study time, practice, and perseverance. You'll be required to visualize molecules in a three-dimensional perspective, and keep track of changing charge and structure in reaction mechanisms.

However, while it is challenging, many students also find it intriguing and rewarding. The course isn’t insurmountable—your success in Organic Chemistry largely depends on how you approach it. Successful students typically space out their studying, do a lot of practice problems, and keep up with the material as it's being taught, rather than catching up later.

Moreover, getting a tutor or finding a study group can drastically improve your understanding and performance in the class. Remember that everyone learns at a different pace and in different ways, so it's okay to take it slow and use many resources when tackling this material.

I've heard from many students who say that when they initially struggled with the class, but after adjusting their study habits and seeking extra help they ended up doing well, and some even found it fascinating! So, while it is a notoriously tough course, it’s far from impossible to do well in it. It's just a matter of how well you adapt your study habits to the demands of the class.