Appreciation post for Organic Chemistry expert Tom Silldorff, as he reflects on fear, perceived setbacks, and the enchanting aspect of organic chemistry in Part 1 of his reflection series.
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In the heart of Princeton's academic community, a graduating senior named Tom Silldorff is making waves as an Organic Chemistry tutor. As a Research Assistant at the Sorenson Lab, an Orgo TA, and the Residential College Advisor at New College West (NCW), Tom has been the go-to tutor for Organic Chemistry students for the past three years.
Tom's motivation for tutoring lies in helping students with their mindset and approach to the class, providing a space where they can learn and engage with the material without intense pressure. He emphasises the importance of understanding that everyone struggles and that challenges can be seen as affirmations of one's current path or an opportunity to reshape the future.
This article is part of the 2023 Seasonal Series on "Effortless Perfection" at Princeton, a collaboration between the Princeton Perspectives Project (PPP) and the news source. The series aims to explore the concept of "effortless perfection" and its impact on the research process and learning new subjects, using Organic Chemistry as an example.
Tom became interested in Organic Chemistry because it offered a more qualitative and quantitative approach compared to other STEM classes, which he found fascinating. He encourages students to remember that the professors want to see them succeed and that struggling in Organic Chemistry is normal. The professors who run Organic Chemistry at the institution understand that the class is tough and do not grade brutally. There is a progressive grading policy in place.
So, how can a student overcome the pressure and fear of failure in an Organic Chemistry course? By using a combination of effective study strategies, focusing on understanding rather than rote memorization, and leveraging multiple learning resources.
One approach is to use diverse resources beyond the textbook. High-quality online video tutorials from sources like Khan Academy, Leia for Sciences, and The Organic Chemistry Tutor can clarify difficult topics and offer alternative explanations that might resonate better.
Practice repetition and active engagement are also key. Repeatedly working through problems and mechanisms builds familiarity and confidence. Organic chemistry rewards consistent, spaced practice to master complex concepts and retain reaction mechanisms.
Adopting a mechanistic and conceptual approach is also beneficial. Instead of memorizing reactions as isolated facts, focus on understanding underlying principles such as electronegativity and molecular interactions. Visualizing and modeling reactions helps deepen comprehension and reduces overwhelm by connecting concepts holistically.
Organizing reactions by type and functional groups can simplify studying and make the material feel less chaotic, boosting a student’s confidence. Identifying which topics or problem types cause struggle allows targeted study and reduces anxiety by transforming vague fears into concrete goals.
Accepting setbacks as part of learning is crucial. Viewing failures as opportunities to improve, rather than permanent judgments of ability, fosters resilience. Many students face initial failures but recover through persistence and strategic study adjustments.
By combining these strategies, students can build a structured and supportive study routine that diminishes fear, increases mastery, and improves organic chemistry performance.
In Part 2 of the interview, we delve into what makes Organic Chemistry difficult, how future students can prepare for the course, and Tom Silldorff's personal experience with effortless perfection as a chemistry major.
[1] Khan Academy. (n.d.). Organic Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/science/organic-chemistry
[2] Leia for Sciences. (n.d.). Organic Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.leia.science/subject/organic-chemistry
[3] The Organic Chemistry Tutor. (n.d.). Organic Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.organicchemistrytutor.com/
[4] Silldorff, T. (2023). Overcoming Organic Chemistry Pressure: A Student's Guide. Princeton University News.
[5] Tanner, A. (2021). Strategies for Effective Organic Chemistry Study. Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved from https://cen.acs.org/education/strategies-effective-organic-chemistry-study/99/i40
Independent work is crucial for personal-growth and education-and-self-development, as demonstrated by Tom Silldorff, who leverages multiple learning resources like Khan Academy, Leia for Sciences, and The Organic Chemistry Tutor to overcome the challenges in Organic Chemistry and improve his understanding. By adopting various study strategies, such as the mechanistic and conceptual approach, repetition, organizing reactions by type and functional groups, and accepting setbacks as opportunities for improvement, students can achieve independent work that contributes to their personal-growth and learning in Organic Chemistry.
