General Chemistry Tips: Finding Your Professor @ New York University (NYU)

Whether you're an incoming freshmen or a rising junior, and want to head into General Chemistry, face it: you'll not only have a lecture class, but also a recitation and a lab. And the big problem most students have is finding the best professors to teach them the basics of chemistry. So, are you confused on what the course is like? What professors to pick? Or what you should do with your college career? While I'll talk more about the pre-health, or in your terms, pre-med, track at NYU in future posts and videos, this is just a big picture of what you should expect (and my suggestions) for General Chemistry (usually the first class, paired with biology, you'll take on the pre-health track).

Unless you're in some kind of advanced chemistry class, your professor for your lecture is most likely John Halpin (since he's the only one at NYU teaching General Chemistry). Halpin is very fair and his lectures mostly capture the gist of the chapter you're on. Suggestion: Go to his office hours, and ask him for clarifications. One quick note: I'm referring General Chemistry to both General Chemistry I and II, which will be taken over a course of a year.

However, your recitation and lab are open for you to choose. Now before you hastily pick out your schedule, it's important to know the times and professors you pick are big impacts on you and your ability to improve. Don't take this the wrong way: I'm not saying there are "bad" professors; every professor has their own unique way of teaching. But it's up to you to find a professor who matches YOUR way of learning.

This leads to the common question almost every college student asks: Why a recitation and lab? That's three times the work! Sure, classes (usually) only has lectures. But for those of you who are relying on lectures to get you through, think about it: just how many students are on the pre-health track? This year (2014), we have over 600 students. That's right: over 600!! Our lectures are held in an auditorium, and there are literally students upon students before you. Meaning, unlike your ordinary class (sometimes small), Halpin cannot focus on you all (individually)! Which is exactly why you have a recitation and a lab. And here's the deal (and secret): Yoel Ohayon is the GUY you MUST choose for both recitation and lab.

But, if you're new, you might ask: why for both? Shouldn't I be trying new professors and obtain a variety of insights? And I have to say, yes, that's absolutely correct. On any other occasion, I would have to agree. But Yoel is your CHEMISTRY. He's a brilliant guy who has a humorous taste to make learning fun. He really, really wants you to improve and he really, really wants you to succeed. One thing for sure (and this is the first thing I noticed about him): He's very chill and playful, which can be extremely stress-relieving especially when you are bogged down by all the new chemistry concepts (which was the case for me since I had never taken AP Chemistry, and learned the bare minimum from regular chemistry in high school).

In fact, if you're registered for General Chemistry, and have a Facebook, you'll most likely get an invite from Yoel to join a Chemistry Facebook Group. This is where you can ask all kinds of questions ranging from homework, to quizzes, to jokes, to politics, etc. And it's also a great group to meet new people who are on the same track as you.

Is this from personal experience? Yes, and no. I didn't have Yoel for my lab OR recitation simply because, well, I wasn't fast enough. And if you don't have him, that's okay too. It's not the end of the world. Never EVER think that. Yoel has office hours and he is open to anyone who wants a good kick in the head of chemistry. Just let him know beforehand of the day you're planning to drop by!

Don't believe me? Ask anyone who has taken General Chemistry or is in General Chemistry at NYU. Check out RateMyProfessors. Or better yet, ask Yoel himself!

SO, my suggestion would be to go to Yoel! It's the decision of your future. (no dramatic pun intended)

Happy chemistry hunting!

Yes, that's the professor!

:)

Natsu (Summer) Love - Kurumizawa Ume (Aya Hirano)

Jikan wo tomete
Sou negatteta
Joushiki nante
Yaku ni tatanakute
Imi no nai koto
Oshienaide yo
Kuchi bakka no risou

Esukareetaa ichidan ue de
Choudo onajin naru mesen wa
Ano ne, nandaka ne
Sugoku itoshiku natte
Kisu wo shita

Ashita mata atte
Asatte mo atte
Sonna no ga
Atarimae datta...
Modoritai basho ga aru
Modorenai wake ga aru
Nagamete ita natsu no owari

Aitakute tarinakute
Demo kimi no tabidachi
Jama wa shitakunakute
Baito shitatte shiretete
Suki ja, dou ni mo naranakute
Kimi no inai jikan kanari sugite
“Hisashiburi”
Tte totsuzen arawarete
Mijikai natsu wo sugoshita ne
“Koibito” ja nai kimi ga soko ni imashita

Shigoto no hanashi
Nakama no hanashi
Kekkon shita toka
Kodomo ga iru took
Minna sorezore
Sukoshi otona ni
Natte itta mitai

“Ashita no asa kaeru” tte
Sukoshi samishisou na kimi wa
Te wo futte nandomo
Furikaeru toko
Mukashi to kawannai

“Taisetsu” datte
Daisuki dakara
Kimi no kotoba tada shinjiteta
Omoide no basho ga aru
Yume wo mita basho ga aru
Waraiaeta natsu no owari

Machigatte nakatta ne
Kimi no tame ni tsukatte egao mo namida mo
Ironna koi wa shita kedo
Ichiban warawasete nakaseta hito
Ima ni nari kizuku nita mono doushi
Dakara futari wa kore kara mo issho ni
Konna kankei mo ari da ne
Kondo wa waratte iu yo
“Mata ne, baibai”

Kimi no koto nara daitai wakaru shi
Enryo wa shinaide
Nanka attara sa
Itsu demo kiku yo
Yukkuri hanasou

Tanjoubi dake
Kureta tegami ya
Docchi ga kiru ka mometa denwa
Natsukashii ne tte itte
Nanka kawaii ne tte
Waratte hanaseta

Aete yokatta
Kimi de yokatta
Nandomo kurikaeshi omotta
Kimi wa kaette itta
“Mata renraku suru” tte
Sukoshi atsui natsu no owari


English Translation:

I wished
That time would stop
Common sense
Doesn't do any good
And it doesn't mean anything
Don’t tell me
Your ideals that are all talk

One step above you on the escalator
My eyes are exactly level with yours
Um, you see...
I felt a rush of love
And kissed you

I’d see you again tomorrow
And the next day
That
Was a given...
There’s a place I want to go back to
There’s a reason I can’t go back
I watched the summer end

I wanted to see you, it wasn't enough
But you were leaving
And I didn't want to stop you
I work part time but it pays peanuts
Loving you isn't enough to make it work
Quite a bit of time has gone by without you
And then suddenly you appear
Saying “Long time no see”
We had such a short summer together
You were there, but not my lover

Talking about work
Talking about our friends
Getting married
Having kids
It looks like everyone’s
Grown up a little
In their own way

“I’m going home tomorrow morning”
You said a little sadly
You waved
And turned back to me again and again
Just like before

“You mean a lot to me”
I love you
So I just believed what you said
There’s a place that brings back memories
There’s a place where I dreamed
The end of the summer when we laughed together

They weren't a mistake
The smiles and tears I used for you
I've been in love with all kinds of people
But you’re the one who’s made me smile and cry the most
I’m realizing now that we’re similar people
So we’ll still be together from now on
Some relationships are like this, aren't they?
Next time I’ll smile and say
“See you, bye”

I know you pretty well
Don’t hold back
If anything happens
I’ll listen any time
So tell me all about it

The letters you only sent
On my birthday
And the phone calls when we fought over who would hang up first
I was able to talk with a smile
And say “I miss those times”
And that we were cute

I’m glad we met
I’m glad it was you
I thought that again and again
You went home
Saying “I’ll be in touch again”
The end of the summer was a little hot