Randy Winchester - Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI

Professor: Randy Winchester

Department: Chemistry

College: Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CHM242
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Randy Winchester was my favorite professor of all time. He makes organic chemistry very straight forward and his notes are amazing. If you really pay attention in class and do what he asks, you should succeed. The subject matter is difficult and requires a lot of time, but since you already have to take it, take it with Randy.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CHM242
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He is a great professor and I really enjoyed his class. Organic chemistry will always be a super hard class no matter what professor you have but Dr. Winchester always had a positive attitude and tried his best to make it fun. I loved his class as much as I could ever love a chemistry course.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CHM241242
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Randy is amazing. He really cares if his students do well. If you are taking this class, this information is stuff you will have to know for future classes and know well. So work hard! If he sees you trying he will do everything in his power to help you out. Helpful online homework + helps your overall grade. READ THE BOOK and DO THE PRACTICE Q's

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CHM241
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Great professor, knows his material well enough to explain in from different angles. Tests are tough, but it's Organic Chemistry so it's to be expected. He offered 15 points of extra credit, dropped the two lowest quizzes, and if your final exam was better than a test, he replaced the lowest test score. Amazing professor!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CHM241242
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Organic chemistry is a pretty tough class to begin with, but Winchester understands that and is very helpful. His lectures can be fast pace and a little unclear, but the practice problems from the book that he assigns are very similar to the problems he puts on the test. He often gives extra credit to keep tests at a C average.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CHM242
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Winchester is a fantastic professor. He cares about his students and shows his knowledge in the subject is extensive. Exams are tough, but he definitely keeps students engaged and interested in class. I enjoyed the entire year of Chemistry with Winchester, and he definitely got me interested in a subject I thought I'd hate.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CHM242
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Winchester is a tough professor. Definitely makes you work for you grade and expects you to read through the chapters and do all the problems outside of class. His lectures are fast paced at times and sometimes he isn't very clear when answering questions. Exams are tough, make sure you study and practice A LOT of the problems from the book.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CHM241
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Randy is a super nice guy and is very enthusiastic about what he does. His tests are extremely difficult and are the majority of the grade. Be prepared to read a lot on your own time and be aware that the online homework and practice problems are significantly easier than the tests.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CHM241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Nice guy, bad professor. His lectures are incredibly confusing. And his exams are brutal. If you want a good grade, you have to put a ton of effort in outside of class and teach yourself from the book. Find a different professor.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CHM242
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Randy is a great professor. Very enthusiastic about chemistry which makes it easy to listen to his lecture. Will make you laugh. Randy is also very flexible with due-dates if you talk to him about why you need an extension. The course is curved which is nice. The down-sides are that he grades very tough on exams and there is lots of homework.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CHM241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is an incredible professor. SO nice and knowledgeable. TAKE HIM!! I promise you will not regret it.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CHM242
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I was surprised to find he made changes to the structure of the course and made it doable for the average student. You will need to teach yourself some orgo, as there is not enough time to cover everything in class. Winchester is a nice guy, but he hates stupid questions. He expects you to read the book. Third test is the worse! Be prepared!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CHM241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He knows the material that is taught really well. There are weekly quizzes in his class and weekly online homework assignments. Exams are TOUGH! Get ready to have no life if you want to get an A. It is doable and has been done. The book: best friend. Always available, funny guy, easy to irritate though. I actually enjoyed this class. Good luck!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CHM242
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He's a nie guy, but unless you want to have to teach yourself, steer clear of having him as a professor. He doesn't answer questions clearly either.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CHM241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Love him as person, not crazy about him as a teacher.He is really helpful if you go talk to him but it is easy to get lost in lecture. He goes very fast and it is hard to keep up in your notes. Exams are hard, but really understand the concepts behind things and you will be okay. Really hard to get an A in this class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CHM241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Love him as a person, but he is pretty hard of a professor. His exams are very hard. Try getting another professor, he should be you rebound.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CHM241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He's a decent guy, just his lectures are sometimes difficult to follow. It's very easy to struggle in this class, Exams ARE a Challenge! Half the points on exams are from multiple choice and the other half are from 3-4 short answer. One wrong and kiss a good grade bye

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CHM241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Winchester is a nice guy, just not a very good professor. When I go to lecture and read the book, somethings in lecture doesn't even follow the book. The book explains concepts WAY better than he does. Exams and quizzes are fair but most of the questions are things that he doesn't spend much time on discussing. Read the book and you'll do fine.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CHM241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Randy...where to start. For every hour of lecture, I spent 8+ hrs outside of class studying the textbook. He tests are hard and conceptual, but his quizzes cushion your grade and he can be helpful(ish) in office hours. Really sweet guy. ONLY take him if you want orgo to equal your life for an entire semester though (lecture+office+self/group study)

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CHM241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Exams tend to throw curveball questions that are extremely difficult. Quizzes are generally pretty easy fortunately. The class requires very hard work and professor is willing to meet outside of class. If you are looking for a good grade I'd suggest another professor.