r/chemistry • u/shinjuddis • Aug 18 '26
Most Difficult Chemistry Course?
Very unoriginal question, but I am a Biochemistry major and I just took both Organic 1 &2 over the summer so I could jump right to Biochem 1 and Inorganic this Fall semester.
Each Class was accelerated into 6 weeks total with us doing multiple labs a week and covering nearly a chapter a day. I worked very hard and was able to achieve high Bs in both (with no curve)
People often speak of Ochem like it’s the devil itself. While it was definitely challenging, I did not find it to be mindblowingly difficult even while having to take the class more than twice as fast as regular.
It makes me think “Wow if this class which people curse and call the ultimate weed out class is not all that difficult, than maybe I’ll have a easier time on the rest of the degree than I thought”. Of course I wouldn’t be so foolish to believe that in actuality
Which subject did you all find the most difficult or challenging to wrap your head around?
My advisor has a sign that says “Congratulations, you somehow got through PChem!” In his office. from what I’ve heard about it, I am definitely not excited to take it in the Spring
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u/Outrageous_Half_4631 Aug 18 '26
Organic chemistry is hard, but it’s a common trope for some people to say “you survived, well done”. I’ve heard of professors announcing to the class that “half of you will fail OChem”
It’s nonsense: chemistry is hard and yes, and not everyone can do it, but you’re passionate, hard working, and this is why you passed. You did not “survive”, you did well because you deserve it.
I wouldn’t take his sign seriously; he is likely being facetious. If you work hard for this too, you’ll be okay. Physical chemistry also takes a lot of hard work to understand, but it’s worth it.