Gratitude Expressed Towards Organic Chemistry Pioneer Tom Silldorff: A Discourse on Anxiety, Defeat, and the Enchantment of Organic Chemistry, Initiating a Series
**Princeton Senior Tom Silldorff Shares Organic Chemistry Success Strategies**
Tom Silldorff, a graduating senior and Organic Chemistry Teaching Assistant at Princeton University, has been a go-to tutor for Organic Chemistry students for the past three years. During exam weeks, he hosts tutoring sessions for up to 50 hours per week in the Choi Dining Hall at New College West (NCW).
Silldorff's passion for Organic Chemistry was sparked in part by Professor Sorenson's teaching style and energy. He acknowledges that he is not very good at chemistry classes beyond Organic Chemistry, but he finds the subject more qualitative and quantitative compared to other STEM classes, which makes it more appealing.
Silldorff believes that failure can be a refreshing experience and can help one realize the right path for them. In an upcoming interview, he will delve into what makes Organic Chemistry difficult, how future students can prepare for the course, and his personal experience grappling with effortless perfection as a chemistry major. The interview is part of a 2023 seasonal series on the blog titled "Effortless Perfection at Princeton" and falls under the "Student Life" category.
To help students overcome the fear of failure in Organic Chemistry and embrace challenges, Silldorff suggests several effective strategies:
1. Building a strong foundation by mastering the basics such as bonding, hybridization, and molecular structures provides a solid framework to confidently tackle more complex topics. 2. Using visual aids like molecular models, reaction flowcharts, and diagrams helps students visualize and remember structures and processes, making learning more interactive and less intimidating. 3. Creating a structured study plan breaks down the vast syllabus into smaller segments with scheduled review sessions, helping avoid feeling overwhelmed and improving focus and tracking progress. 4. Practicing regularly improves pattern recognition and problem-solving skills, building confidence over time. 5. Engaging in active learning and reflection, such as explaining concepts to others or discussing work outside the classroom, can improve clarity and deepen understanding. 6. Adopting a growth mindset recognizes that failure is a natural part of learning—not a final outcome. Viewing mistakes as opportunities to learn and improve fosters resilience. 7. Incorporating interactive activities like molecule sorting games, building molecular models, or reaction experiments make abstract concepts tangible and boost engagement, fostering a positive attitude toward challenges in Organic Chemistry.
Silldorff's motivation for tutoring Organic Chemistry students includes solidifying his foundation in the subject and helping students with their mindset and approach to the class. He emphasizes that Organic Chemistry is challenging but the professors want students to succeed and have a progressive grading policy. He suggests that students remember that the professors are not maliciously trying to undercut them and ruin their GPA because of the difficulty of the class.
Creating a stress-free learning environment can help students regain confidence in themselves and their abilities. Silldorff suggests that it's good to push oneself and venture outside one's comfort zone, even in pre-med courses. An upcoming interview will feature Alexis Wu, discussing PPP from a student's perspective.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3598594/ [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5946198/ [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5760421/ [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5735730/
Engaging in independent work and personal growth through education-and-self-development, such as mastering organic chemistry’s foundational concepts and adopting a growth mindset, fosters personal-growth and learning. Consistently applying these strategies, including visual aids, structured study plans, and active learning, can lead to a more confident and successful learning experience in organic chemistry.
