Organic chemistry has a well-earned reputation for difficulty, and every year, countless smart, capable students find themselves struggling; I've been there myself. The difference rarely comes down to raw intelligence. It’s about habits and strategy; here are 5 immediate tips I can give you to start off on the right foot:

1. Actually Understand Your Syllabus

This class is different than all of the other classes you have taken so far. The information comes fast and you will not have time to go back. Know exactly when each quiz and exam is; you will need at least 2 days (2 x 4 hour days) for a quiz and at least 3 days (3 x 6 hour days) for an exam, not to mention a lab report every week that will always be a thorn in your side. Plan all of your other classes, homeworks, papers, etc... around OChem. Focus specifically on the weeks where core topics start to emerge; the first SN1/SN2 reaction lessons are the calm before the storm, and once you start learning alkene reactions (HBr is usually one if the first), the coursework will be difficult and swift. Make sure you do what you can to minimize other coursework around your OChem quiz/exam dates.

2. Stop Reading, Start Doing

This class is different than all of the other classes you have taken so far. I know I said it earlier, but it bears repeating. A huge mistake students make early on is thinking that organic chemistry can be mastered just by reading the textbook or flipping through lecture slides. You will fail if you do this. However, this is exactly where OrgoSolver comes in. Organic Chemistry is a tactile subject; you must draw the molecules and think about naming conventions, reaction paths, aromaticity, chirality, and mechanism. Use our tools and quizzes to practice:

Reaction Solver

IUPAC Namer

Resonance Solver

Quizzes

3. Understand First, Memorize Second

Many students approach organic chemistry as a memorization contest. They cram reactions, flashcards, and functional groups into short-term memory. This will probably work and get you at least a C, probably even a B. However, if you hope to go medical school, you will need these reactions on the MCAT. So if you take the memorization approach, you will forget it by the time you need it for the MCAT. Instead of memorizing blindly, strive to understand why reactions happen. What makes a nucleophile "nucleophilic"? Why does SN2 happen in one step while SN1 takes two? Understanding the reasons behind these reactions makes memorization easier and more meaningful. It seems harder in the short term, but pays dividends in the long run.

4. Get Serious About Organizing Your Notes

Organize your notes either by the starting reagent (alkene, alkyne, alcohol, etc...) or by the type of reaction (SN1/2, E1/2, redox, etc..). I always like the reagent maps:

When you can enumerate in your head the number of reactions given a functional group, it makes synthesis problems easier. Organizing your notes lets you find which reactants and reagents you need in order to get to a final product. OrgoSolver has reaction maps that show all the different reagents that react with say, alkenes, but as a student you should record what reactions your professor uses; they like to be tricky and include obscure ones we might not have. Write down what you see in class so that you have a reasonable expectation of what might be on a quiz/exam. It will never be exactly the same, but it will look almost familiar.

5. Don’t Go It Alone

Organic chemistry isn't easy, and going solo makes it much harder. Find one or two reliable study partners and meet weekly. These aren't just casual chat sessions—they're focused working meetings where you go through problems, question each other’s reasoning, and explain concepts aloud. Teaching someone else forces you to clarify your own understanding in ways solitary study never will. Plus it's a great way to meet people; you can all bond over the shared misery!

Lastly, utilize office hours if your professor/TAs are helpful. They can explain things in a lower stress environment and they have likely seen every-which-way a student has approached a problem, which means they can help find where you are tripping up.

Organic chemistry is challenging, but it's not impossible. It's entirely manageable when approached with intention, discipline, and strategic study habits. From day one, prioritize understanding, active problem-solving, and organized notes. Pair these habits with genuine engagement—attending office hours and finding quality study partners—and you'll set yourself up not just to survive, but to thrive in organic chemistry.

You've got this, and your future self will thank you for the early investment!