Professor
Sarah Tolbert
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Most Helpful Review
First off, I learnt so much chemistry from her lectures comparing to the horrible 20A class I took. She makes Chemistry interesting. Even though her tests are difficult they are not impossible. The first midterm was manageable the second one was a lot harder and the final, true to a lot of reviews, was downright difficult. Each midterm composes of 4 cumulative questions with smaller parts. They pretty much put all the knowledge together into one big problem solving question. DO NOT let yourself get stuck on ONE problem and try to be careful of the one that you can do. Whoever grades the test like to take off points on ridiculous details. The cheatsheet helps but the key to study well in her class is pay attention to the OWL type of homework and don't do them mindlessly. Also, study in a group and do the back of the book problems. They are really similar to what she gives on the test. Last and not least, find exams online with the same format and try to do them. For me, those exams help a lot.
First off, I learnt so much chemistry from her lectures comparing to the horrible 20A class I took. She makes Chemistry interesting. Even though her tests are difficult they are not impossible. The first midterm was manageable the second one was a lot harder and the final, true to a lot of reviews, was downright difficult. Each midterm composes of 4 cumulative questions with smaller parts. They pretty much put all the knowledge together into one big problem solving question. DO NOT let yourself get stuck on ONE problem and try to be careful of the one that you can do. Whoever grades the test like to take off points on ridiculous details. The cheatsheet helps but the key to study well in her class is pay attention to the OWL type of homework and don't do them mindlessly. Also, study in a group and do the back of the book problems. They are really similar to what she gives on the test. Last and not least, find exams online with the same format and try to do them. For me, those exams help a lot.
Most Helpful Review
I had Tolbert for the 2nd half of 20BH during Winter 2003. Surprisingly, I actually learned a lot from taking her class. Her lectures are usually interesting and well-organized but her homework and midterms are nightmarish. Half of the homework problems are written by her and these are the one's you MUST KNOW HOW TO DO -- she writes problems that force you to think so it's no longer the simple process of plug and chug. If you can't do these problems, you're screwed -- don't bother showing up for the midterms/final. Overall, I would still say that Professor Tolbert is a decent professor. You will learn a lot from taking her class, but that may not necessarily be reflected in the grade you receive in her class.
I had Tolbert for the 2nd half of 20BH during Winter 2003. Surprisingly, I actually learned a lot from taking her class. Her lectures are usually interesting and well-organized but her homework and midterms are nightmarish. Half of the homework problems are written by her and these are the one's you MUST KNOW HOW TO DO -- she writes problems that force you to think so it's no longer the simple process of plug and chug. If you can't do these problems, you're screwed -- don't bother showing up for the midterms/final. Overall, I would still say that Professor Tolbert is a decent professor. You will learn a lot from taking her class, but that may not necessarily be reflected in the grade you receive in her class.
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2016 - For all Pre-Meds I'm selling custom made MCAT Full-Lengths which are custom designed with AAMC style questions. These questions mimim question packs and section bank. If you don't want to purchase the AAMC question banks separately you can get it in Full-length format to enable most important practice in your study schedule to gauge where you're at and how to improve. Contact 310-562-4353
Fall 2016 - For all Pre-Meds I'm selling custom made MCAT Full-Lengths which are custom designed with AAMC style questions. These questions mimim question packs and section bank. If you don't want to purchase the AAMC question banks separately you can get it in Full-length format to enable most important practice in your study schedule to gauge where you're at and how to improve. Contact 310-562-4353
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Most Helpful Review
The class was well structured and organized. I found her lectures interesting and covering a broad spectrum of topics. I enjoyed taking the class and doing the labs. The introductions given during the lectures were more than enough to write the lab reports. She also very understanding and lets you turn it in a few days late. (just don't abuse this) Very understanding professor and made office hours for us around the time lab reports were due. She is a great professor to take for this class and I highly recommend her.
The class was well structured and organized. I found her lectures interesting and covering a broad spectrum of topics. I enjoyed taking the class and doing the labs. The introductions given during the lectures were more than enough to write the lab reports. She also very understanding and lets you turn it in a few days late. (just don't abuse this) Very understanding professor and made office hours for us around the time lab reports were due. She is a great professor to take for this class and I highly recommend her.
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