OrgoCards: Organic Chemistry Review
Steven Q. Wang,Babak Razani,Edward J.K. Lee,Jennifer Wu,William Berkowitz | 2002-03-30 00:00:00 | Barron's Educational Series | 160 | Internal Medicine
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!
Reviews
orgo cards are amazing, i used the cards as a study guide for o-chem, i got an A in the first part and aiming for an A in the second part right now. much better than the text, everything is clearly explained and nothing is confusing, excellent way of studying mechanism which are clearly depicted on the back of the cards, has everything you need to know to understand and pass o-chem with a good grade, worth every penny!!!!
Reviews
These cards are very useful and convenient for memorizing, and are carefully edited to include only the important reactions. I especially love that they draw out each reaction's mechanism. They have more details than what flash cards are supposed to have, but I find that most of the details are important and must be remembered (e.g. syn- or anti-; E1 or E2). Your own flash cards may easily miss out those important details.
Reviews
After buying these cards I realized that the real study value of flash cards is making them for yourself. That has to account for at least half of the learning that you do. These pre-packaged cards are too general, cover too much material on each card and really didn't work for me because they weren't tailored to my specific needs. I ended up making my own the same way that I always do. Live and learn.
Reviews
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.
Reviews
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.
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