Dear Becky,
I understand that Biochemistry is tough because students have to assemble and apply knowledge from many chemistry, biology, etc., courses in order to make sense of it. But that’s the fun part of taking a senior level course, isn’t it? Not to mention that you finally find out how your body metabolizes alcohol. Speaking of alcohol, you may think you’re taking an exam to prove that you didn’t come drunk to every class (is that really a serious concern at 9 a.m.?!), but I think professors use exams to test students on what we think you should learn from a course. So an average of 53 percent in the Biochem exam reveals that on average you have learned 53 percent of what you should have (with the caveat that you’re asked to spit it out in an exam administered at 8 am). We can debate about whose fault that is, but the time may be better spent getting on with the learning. I’m not teaching Biochem this semester (hooray for sabbaticals!), but I did look at both exams and I think you should know that they were quite simple, especially compared with the ones I had to take in undergraduate level biochemistry courses at The Ohio State University. Yes, I went digging through boxes and found the old exams — thanks for prompting some wonderful memories.
And about competing with oneself and the rest of the preachy stuff in your essay — remember the part where school is supposed to prepare you for the real world? Biochem is a senior level course, so it’s about time to start preparing, no? Also, it’s unfair to imply that Biochem TAs aren’t as cute as Orgo TAs; I think they’re adorable. Also, come by my office for chocolate; it’ll help.
Love,
M
Leave a Reply