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OrgoCards: Organic Chemistry Review

by: Steven Q. Wang, Babak Razani, Edward J.K. Lee, Jennifer Wu, William Berkowitz
en

0764175033  9780764175039 

 


OrgoCards: Organic Chemistry Review
By Steven Q. Wang, Babak Razani, Edward J.K. Lee, Jennifer Wu, William Berkowitz


 


Product Description:

For years, college students in pre-med courses, or majoring in biology, chemical engineering, and many other science courses have searched for a study aid of this kind, but have come up empty-handed. Now, Barron's has precisely what they've been seeking! OrgoCards is a set of more than 160 5 1/2" x 7" cards that summarize reactions and reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry. A sophisticated variation on the time-proven "flashcard" method of study, the cards summarize organic reactions in 21 functional groups, such as alcohols and alkenes. Card number-one in each group outlines the group's physical and chemical properties. Each subsequent card explains a specific reaction, starting with a diagram of the reaction, and followed by a Keys section that summarizes the most important data related to this reaction. Following the list of Keys is a Notes section giving miscellaneous information. The back of each card contains a detailed reaction Mechanism, in both text and diagram forms. OrgoCards emphasize repetition and serve as aids to memorization to prepare students for examinations. These flashcard-style summaries highlight organic chemistry data that is vital for success on tests, fostering the student's comprehension in ways that standard textbooks cannot do. Organic chemistry is a required course in most college-level science programs, and knowledge of the subject is a requirement for success in admissions tests for medical, dental, and veterinary schools everywhere. Here is the learning tool that successful students will be turning to!



Summary: Maybe for review later, but not for studying
Rating: 2

As a Biochemistry graduate who took Organic Chemistry and went on to TA it for two years, I found these to be unhelpful in the process. The material was structured somewhat sensibly, but in a order very different from our textbook. This made using them more work than it was worth, as our in book chapter summaries were far more useful. These have sat on the shelf and collected dust for years and I don't foresee them ever becoming useful. On a side note - they have a horrendous chemical smell from something in the production process.

If you're looking for something to help you succeed in O-Chem, buy a Molecular Model kit or a Study/ Solution guide for your textbook. These will actually be helpful, while these study cards will likely be of little use in conjunction with a course.



Summary: What a colossal waste of money!
Rating: 1

These cards don't help at all. They are basically just an abridged text book (paragraphs and all) printed on 200+ separate cards. In fact, my textbook has more useful summarization tables, examples and diagrams. Furthermore the cards themselves are bulky and cumbersome to hold. If I hadn't taken the plastic off, I would take them back.



Summary: Little of Everything
Rating: 4

They have a little bit of everything, pointing out things I might forget. If I sneak peaks in class I can ask clearer questions.

They supplement notes prepping for exams, and quick reference doing homework.



Summary: OK If you have the time
Rating: 4

Not an awful idea, but customizing these cards for my organic class was a little more than time consuming. I also think it would be more beneficial to make my own. However, as a review, this item is awesome! Great for the GMAT, GRE, or any other graduate level exam.



Summary: Seems nice, but pretty complex
Rating: 2

I bought this under the impression that they were like flash cards that I would make for an exam... containing general ideas, and in the case of organic chemistry, containing example mechanisms. The cards do this, but they also try to do much more.

I found the cards very hard to use for quick studying. Research has shown one of the best ways you retain information is by studying something for a short amount of time (say 15-20 minutes) and then taking a break in between (like a 10 minute break). The cards, to me, seemed unusable if this is how you study, or if you want to quckly review before an exam. They contain far to much information to be useful for quick studying or review. Frankly, I felt like I was reading my text book on individual cards instead of on big pages of paper.

My other big complaint is that the cards are not numbered... there's a "table of contents" card that tells you where each subject (or each kind of mechanism) can be found, but I was expecting there to be an overall numbering system (like card #1, #2 ect.), but no such system exists. As such, it's hard to keep track of which cards go in what order.

Since I've bought this I haven't used it once, save for trying to use it and getting frustrated with the complexity. Being in-depth is not a bad thing, but that's what my text book is for... I want flash cards to be simpler. In the end I've ended up making my own flash cards, just as I've always done.

Overall, they contain a lot of good information, it's just that it's presented in the same way as a text book. Indeed, I thought the cards were harder to use than a text book, because in a text book there's a glossary and index of terms, so if you're looking for something specific it's much easier to find. Couple this with the fact that the cards don't contain much info on IR, NMR, or Mass spectroscopy, and you have you're 2 star rating.

If you can't afford to haul a big text book around, these might be useful to you. They do cover the stuff you need to know. For anyone else, I don't think it's worth it. Besides, if you make your own flash cards to study with, you learn the information even better. So just stick with that.

It appears that some other reviews claim that the cards are great for studying for MCATs, and I could see how this could be true. But if your need is a supplement to your text book and lecture, just make your own note cards.