Is biochem going to kill me? Am I just not cut out for this?!

[maahcyjo]

I'm a smart person - truly. But I am literally one day into my biochemistry class and I feel like I'm drowning. I don't understand any of the terminology and it feels like everyone else must've had several classes that I didn't where this stuff is all explained. This class is the prereq, so I'm feeling overwhelmed and under-equipped. I'm questioning whether I am actually capable of doing this because even when I'm studying, I can't understand what I am reading.

The closest analogy to how it feels is if I were placed into a foreign language class and immediately expected to write an essay in that language.

Can anyone recommend a site or a book that will break it down into simple concepts for me? Our class doesn't even have a textbook aside from The Medical Biochemistry Pagewhich reads like it expects me to be publishing in medical journals next week.

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

Amoeba Sisters

Hi, hope this helps and honestly utilize youtube videos and look up animation videos 2D or 3D animation. Think of science as like a puzzle - one piece connects another piece. Learn it backwards may help sometimes. See the big picture first then break it down into chunks. Biochem is important in nursing. I only completed LVN school yet, biochemistry and physiology helps to understand diseases :)

[Trust in Jesus, RN]

Isn't there normally a general chemistry class that covers the fundamentals before this class? I had a basic chem. class and then I took an org. and biochemistry class. If you're being put right into an upper-level chemistry class, how would you be expected to understand it? You should ask the other students how they feel and if they have taken other chemistry classes before this one.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Yep..chem not a hand me out grade. There are no "simple concepts" to chemistry. You have to grind it out. I studied probably 7-8 hours a day in chem. Blunt force studying is pretty much the way you get through it. Being "smart" as you say you are means you understand the amount of time you will need to invest to successfully navigate the class requirements. Not just "knowing stuff" off the top of your head. Good luck

[BBboy]

Suck it up buttercup, we've all had to go through tough classes to get into nursing and chemistry is no exception(in my opinion the pre-req I spent the most effort on). Things will only get tougher as time goes on if you get into nursing school, so set the foundation for your resilience now.