The great majority of A Level Chemistry students who come to me for help cite Organic Chemistry as the main problem area. The following hints should help to destroy this myth.

• If you understand the basic principles and know your functional groups, all you need to learn are reaction conditions. These can easily be represented on a flow chart or series of flow charts.
• Whenever you are asked a question about a particular organic molecule, start by drawing a displayed formula. Mark any dipoles and identify the functional groups.
• By looking carefully at the molecule, you should now be able to decide the type of reaction or reactions that are likely to occur. Work out the reaction - do not try to learn reactions.
• Remember that in reaction mechanisms, a curly arrow shows the movement of a pair of electrons to an electron deficient carbon atom. When trying to work out a possible reaction use a mechanism to help you.

Next time you are struggling with a series of reactions, use the above strategies and it should all become clear. Good luck!