College can be an exciting time in a student’s life, filled with new experiences, friendships, and academic challenges. While some college classes may be easy to certain individuals, others can struggle with them and need a significant amount of time and effort to succeed. In this blog post, we will explore the top 9 hardest college classes according to student feedback.
Organic Chemistry
Known for its complex concepts and demanding workload, organic chemistry is often considered one of the most difficult college classes. Students are required to understand the intricacies of chemical reactions and mechanisms, memorize numerous compounds and their properties, and apply this knowledge to solve complex problems.
Organic chemistry by a mile. Sure physics is hard but the amount of content pace-wise is very do able, you just make some adjustments and give yourself more time for the work and youre set. Organic chemistry on the other hand, week 1 youre already getting fed a ton of content and it only continues to get worse. Falling behind in o-chem is a deathwish.
If you want to test your time management to the fullest then take organic chemistry. Most stressful class ive ever taken and i can only picture the veteran difficulty symbol from cod waw whenever i think of that class. The concepts themselves arent too hard, its just the amount of content.
Ok it took you how long to learn the content? Ok cool, now you have to study it so you can reinforce it. Oh what if your professor assigns required hw. Then you got the lab work too. All of this while trying not to fall behind and also take other classes.
Alright i proved my point, o-chem is hard.
Chaz_Delicious
Organic chemistry. I suck at chemistry, but was told oRgO iS dIfFeReNt. Yeah, different to the point it was literally a foreign language I had no hope of understanding. NOTHING made sense and I consistently scored under a 50% on everything. Somehow, my 45% was a C- passing grade.
Want to get into veterinary school? Gotta take organic chemistry II as well! So I left my dream of being a DVM, realizing that kind of stress was probably not for me, and went for wildlife biology. I’m now graduating with a BS in wildlife as a certified wildlife biologist and none of my classes were ever as hard as organic chem, I even almost got an A in the hardest statistics course we’ve taken.
FurretsOotersMinks
Calculus
Calculus is a staple in many STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs and is notorious for challenging students. The combination of abstract concepts, rigorous problem-solving, and the need for a strong foundation in algebra and trigonometry make calculus a tough nut to crack for many students.
I couldn’t pass Calc 3 after 3 attempts so I dropped out of engineering.
[deleted]
I am going to retake my cal 2 and cal 3 exam for the third time next month cause I keep failing them lol.
JestinJoe
Was calc 3 multivariable? If it was, I relate 100%. Something about the high dimensional bullshit and needing to use graphs for every problem just confused the hell out of me.
Bruh-I-Cant-Even
However, with the right resources and dedicated effort, conquering the challenges of calculus is definitely attainable. A well-structured calculus textbook that offers clear explanations, step-by-step examples, and ample practice problems can provide the guidance needed to navigate through the intricacies of calculus with greater ease.
Physics
Physics deals with the fundamental laws of nature and the behavior of matter and energy. From understanding motion and forces to delving into quantum mechanics, physics courses can be incredibly challenging for students. Complex mathematical equations and abstract concepts can leave many students scratching their heads.
Modern physics. It was the only class in my college career to make me cry. I know this is an excuse people always make, but the professor was genuinely shitty. Just threw equations on the board, muttered a 10 second explanation, and erased everything 30 seconds later to write some new crap up. I didn’t even know what a wave function was until I took physical chemistry the next semester, and wave functions are PRETTY important in modern physics. He just threw up an equation and said “and then you multiply the wave function blah blah blah” and never explained what it was, we were all doomed to fail because it was impossible to understand anything without being taught at least the most basic of concepts.
I was a biochemistry major. I still have NO idea why I even needed that course to get my degree. But I seriously considered switching from a BS to a BA just so I didn’t have to take it, it was that bad.
mt0622
Graduate level physics course titled “Quantum Theory of Solids.” Was a bunch of theoretical Physics grad students yammering on about second quantization. I couldn’t understand anything at all.
[deleted]
For me, the most difficult class in the sense of material was a physics class on relativity I took my freshman year because I thought I was smart and could handle it…… I was wrong.
your_sexy_nightmare
Take a look at the list of the 10 most searched physics textbooks that will guide you through.
History
History may seem like a subject of storytelling and dates, but it demands far more than mere memorization. It requires critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to connect events and concepts across different time periods. History courses often involve extensive reading, research, and essay writing, which can be overwhelming for students who struggle with managing large amounts of information. Moreover, the subjectivity of historical interpretations can make it challenging to grasp and evaluate different perspectives.
I took 7 classes (24 units) one semester, and I had a history class (HIST124, The United States Post 1865) where I swear to gawd, had more homework in this one class than all my other 6 classes combined. The homework was hard af, BUT ESPECIALLY LONG! I finished that class with over 20 missing assignments, and still got an A because there was over 200 assignments and it was curved. My professor actually sent out an email saying our homework rates and grades were far below what she expected of us. Well no frick if you’re giving us 15 assignments a week, there are just not enough hours in the day to do the homework LET ALONE LEARN THE MATERIAL AND HAVE OTHER CLASSES TO DO. I swear you’d have to devote 40 hours to that class a week like it was a full time job to just get through the material and homework.
Floofyland
In terms of effort, my women’s history class. I have never worked so hard just based on sheer volume of work and the level of depth we were required to reach.
polish_addict
Philosophy of History. As someone who likes hard facts and getting straight to the point (as far as that is possible in a history or humanities degree), I could not get into the whole philosophy thing. I found it vague, useless and woolly and really tough to ‘get’. I think practicing a hard science like chemistry or math would very much suit my way of thinking, I just happen to completely lack the talent for it (whereas I am really passionate about history).
Glorianatudor
Explore the compilation of the 10 most sought-after history books that will provide you with comprehensive guidance.
Computer Science
With the ever-growing influence of technology in our lives, computer science has become a popular field of study. However, mastering programming languages, algorithms, and software engineering principles can be a daunting task. The constant need for problem-solving and the steep learning curve make computer science courses among the most challenging.
CS350 (Automata/Formal Languages) is supposedly one of, if not the hardest courses in our CS program. At least, that’s what everyone claims. The advisors admit it is a notorious class and a good number of students repeat it. I swear it seems a third of the class is repeating and we’ve already had several students drop and it isn’t even mid-term. Our first quiz was a review for discrete math and he didn’t give any partial credit. You get one thing wrong and the entire problem was counted off. The class average for that test was like 55% lol. Apparently, the professor who taught last semester scaled everyone a letter grade. I have my fingers crossed, but I don’t see this professor doing it. lol I’m not failing…yet….but I do actually enjoy what little bit I’m learning.
ILikeGoldAndShowers
Advanced algorithms and Data structures for Computer Science. Walking into that class with a tub of vaseline didn’t make it any better. Most computer science courses in general though because professors know how to do stuff but don’t know how to teach it, they think that if they know it, it should be easy peezy for the student to pick up.
vagr
So far it would have to be advanced software dev using C++. Shoot me now with that language.
AfricanTurtles
Accounting
Accounting is a field that revolves around the principles of financial management and analysis. It requires a strong foundation in mathematics and logical thinking. Understanding complex financial statements, mastering various accounting methods, and applying them to practical scenarios can be incredibly demanding. The rigid rules and regulations of accounting, coupled with the need for precision and attention to detail, can make it a difficult subject for students who are not naturally inclined towards numbers.
On a serious note, accounting has been extremely difficult. I chose this degree in accounting and business for the business part of it, but this degree was made for people who want to be accountants so there’s a lot of pressure to get good grades in accounting classes and they’re also the most complicated ones. I thought of switching to a business only degree but none of the colleges in my area have those in night-time classes and I work during the day so I’m just gonna have to stick with this one.
[deleted]
Based solely on results, financial accounting. Failed it in my second year of university (passed it later on) then failed the advanced one on my professional accounting study.
normy132
Feel free to check out the list of the 10 most frequently searched accounting textbooks that will lead you through the subject with thorough guidance.
Foreign Language
Learning a new language can be a rewarding experience, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. From mastering grammar rules and vocabulary to developing fluency through practice, foreign language courses can be demanding and time-consuming.
SPANISH. I don’t know what the heck they were expecting, but Jesus Spanish 1 and 2 kicked my ass. My only Cs on my whole transcript. I had to live zoom chats where we all talk in a discussion, in Spanish, 25% of grade, then we had to give a verbal essay live, 25% of grade. Teacher was an ahole grader too. 4 tests which were 100 questions long and written. Miss an accent and miss the whole question. Uggggh getting annoyed just thinking about it.
Jimmy_E_16
at first I’m sorry for my bad English. The hardest class witch i ever had was my French class because our neighbor country have lass then 99999999 endings for a word. Oh i hate the France language xD
Bennywo1
Race and Gender Studies of Latin America, in Spanish. I’m currently a Spanish major and most Spanish classes I can get through relatively well. With the right teacher, I can read some older Spanish. Usually teacher breaks paragraphs down section by section and would explain specific meanings. But this class! We were reading Ye Old Español. Fucking 16th century readings. I wanted to tear my hair out. Not even the best translation site could help me. A month before the class ended I had a 68 in the class and I was shitting myself. Luckily the last book we read I found an English translation of it and said fuck it. Passed with a solid 75 as the final was over the book too. The essay we were assigned was absolutely insane as well. We had to write a literary analysis over one of many readings we did. None of those readings were easy to write about and I wrote some obnoxious bullshit that I scored a C on. I hadn’t gotten a C in like 4 semesters, but I said fuck it for that class and moved on.
sleepcantcatchme
Philosophy
Philosophy courses delve into the realm of abstract ideas and critical thinking. Students are required to analyze complex philosophy texts, engage in debates, and develop their own arguments. The abstract nature of the subject, coupled with the need for analytical skills, can make philosophy classes difficult for some students.
My philosophy classes, hands down. I’ve taken infamous classes like algorithms and made A+’s in classes that most people hated (like classical mechanics), but nothing beats philosophy for me. I constantly feel challenged about my beliefs in these classes, and always had trouble reading the terribly abstract texts and formulating my often half-thought-out responses.
[deleted]
Metaphysics. Which was a required course. For those of you, who’ve never taken metaphysics, this is the exchange that defines the entire topic: “Is the chalkboard black?” “Yes.” “But is it really black?” “Yes.” “Well, how do you know that you see is black is truly black? And how do you know that the chalkboard is truly behind me?” “Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz……….”
Flashpenny
Delve into the list of the 10 most widely searched philosophy textbooks that will offer you insightful guidance and perspective on the subject.
Anatomy
Anatomy is a subject that requires an in-depth understanding of the human body, from the smallest cells to complex organ systems. It involves memorizing numerous anatomical terms, structures, and functions, which can be overwhelming for many students. Additionally, Anatomy often involves rigorous lab work, including cadaver dissections, which can be emotionally taxing. Students often report spending hours studying and reviewing materials to grasp the intricate details of this complex subject.
Anatomy for sure. There were probably 100+ slides per test in a very short time period (3-4 tests plus a cumulative final). No word banks and you had to spell each term correctly or you get the whole question wrong.
Schwarzblade
My anatomy course was a doozy. You had 70-80 question exams every few weeks where you would have to answer only fill in the blank questions.
OutsmartedTheAdmins
I have a philosophy degree and am going back to school to become a nurse. Anatomy is by far the hardest class I’ve taken in my academic career, just because of the sheer volume of material and memorization required! Each of my lab practicals has hundreds of slides and, of course, it’s all free response. It doesn’t help that the course was online, too, and I’m having a hard time visualizing all the structures/orientations because of that.
[deleted]
Final Thoughts
It’s important to note that the difficulty of a college class can vary from person to person. What might be challenging for one student could be the easiest college classes for another. Additionally, factors such as the professor’s teaching style and the student’s background knowledge can also influence the perceived difficulty of a course.
In conclusion, college classes can present various levels of complexity for students. From organic chemistry to computer science, these nine courses have gained a reputation for being challenging. However, with dedication, perseverance, and the right support, students can overcome these challenges and thrive in their academic pursuits.
