BIO 201 and general class info

U.S.A. Arizona

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So it is getting down to the wire for this semester. Unfortunately I am not doing as well as I would have hoped in BIO 201. I still have two more exams so I am hoping to bring up my grade. I have the most trouble with the physiology. I am wondering what strategy you use to study for these exams? Do you recopy your notes? Is there a website you use? Any info you provide would be helpful.

:typing

I am also kind of wondering if anyone else may have struggled with this class, thought "maybe nursing is not for me" but was able to get through this. I have never really been a very science oriented person but always thought I would make a great nurse. I welcome your opinions. :redpinkhe

Specializes in Peds Hem/Onc/BMT.

I used the CD that came with my book and watched the animated tutorials religiously. Also, I googled alot of the topics for additional info/tutorials. I'm a visual learner and this helped me sooooo much! Re-copying my notes was of no help to me. You need to understand and grasp the concept instead of trying to memorize it. I really recommend watching the tutorials! Good Luck!

I remember when I first took BIO 201, it was difficult to adapt to at first because theres alot more studying involved than I'm used too.

The thing that helped me was reading the chapter and finding something visually in a book or online that helped me demonstrate the process. Notes are helpful too. Pay attention to the topics dicussed in class and then you should be know what to study for exactly.

If your still not sure what topics are necessary for the exam I would ask your professor so at least your on the right track.

Good Luck!:up:

Each person has different "buttons" to push that help them learn more effectively. I found buying a huge stack of flashcards (500 at a time at Staples) and writing short questions/answers that reinforced my notes worked best. I literally "grinded" the material into my head. I'm more of a slogger than a visual person. Find what works for you...

Also - the pre-reqs for nursing are harder than the actual program. They in no way reflect on what kind of nurse you can be, will be, will probably wind-up being. I found nursing school exams to be very easy - as long as you paid attention in class and took good notes (I barely opened my books to read). A lot of the people I knew (in my experience that is) who did not pass usually had outside personal issues that interfered with school. The pre-reqs, taken at Rio, were brutal in comparison!

Get through the pre-reqs, get into school, and enjoy your career. Don't let the pre-reqs get you down.

If you don't mind my asking, where are you taking the class? I'm currently taking BIO 201 as well through Rio and I agree - it's a lot of info! I was a Biology major in college but have been out of school for 8 yrs, so it's not only a challenge getting back into the "studying" mode, but trying to do it with a class such as this one that is so info-packed and overwhelming at times.

I agree with the other posters - everybody has their own way of studying that works best for them. So far I've just been trying to memorize the info by reading my notes and drilling it into my head...that's what I'm planning on doing for the midterm. We'll see how it goes after I get my grade!

Try not to stress about it too much and let it get you down. This class is by no means an indication of what kind of Nurse you will be. One of my best friends is a doctor doing her residency and she said you really don't use this info in the actual working world. I know I won't remember it by then! Hang in there!! :nuke:

You should try taking the class through Edukan- regular semester if you plan on retaking it. For A&P 1, everything is done online but there is one proctored exam at the end of the semester. Its not a difficult class with this professor just alot to turn in at the end of each week but no essays. Pm me if you need more info.

Specializes in PCU/ Pediatric CVICU.

I took BIO201 and 202 through Rio and they were brutal. I felt like I studied twice as hard as I have had to for any of my in person classes. While I got B's in both, I really feel that taking them in person would have been so much easier. You really have to study EVERYTHING and read throughly, the tests are a total crapshoot. Some of the stuff I spent a lot of time studying was not even on the test and other areas that seemed less important had multiple questions on the test. There is a definite upside to having an instructor in front of you telling you what to study!

Hi 2nxstudent,

I took BIO 201 & 202 at Gateway and found it very fascinating but also very challenging to keep everything straight. I have been on the waiting list for nursing school for a little over a year and think that I may not make it until the Fall 09 start date at this point. To try to keep my memory fresh with everything I learned in 201 & 202 I started re-reading my A&P book. Someone on this site posted a link to a website for a teacher at Phoenix who teaches both classes. Out of curiosity I looked up the website and to my surprise I found a wealth of information. The teacher records her lectures and posts them on the website for her students. There is also a plethora of quizzes, reviews, notes etc. I wish I could remember who posted it so I could give them the credit that they deserve but unfortunately I don't. I downloaded the lecture mp3's to my iPod and listen to them on my commute to work. The teacher is really good at keep the lecture on topic as well as keeping it entertaining. You may want to give it a try and see if it helps. Here is the link.

http://www.pc.maricopa.edu/Biology/pfinkenstadt/index

Also try finding a study partner if possible because believe it or not you can learn a lot from each other.:twocents:

If you don't mind my asking, where are you taking the class? I'm currently taking BIO 201 as well through Rio and I agree - it's a lot of info! I was a Biology major in college but have been out of school for 8 yrs, so it's not only a challenge getting back into the "studying" mode, but trying to do it with a class such as this one that is so info-packed and overwhelming at times.

I agree with the other posters - everybody has their own way of studying that works best for them. So far I've just been trying to memorize the info by reading my notes and drilling it into my head...that's what I'm planning on doing for the midterm. We'll see how it goes after I get my grade!

Try not to stress about it too much and let it get you down. This class is by no means an indication of what kind of Nurse you will be. One of my best friends is a doctor doing her residency and she said you really don't use this info in the actual working world. I know I won't remember it by then! Hang in there!! :nuke:

I am taking it at gateway during the week. There is no way I could handel this thru Rio. The last class I took through Rio was a bust and I had to drop it. (I am definitely not an online learner) I think I am still having a problem finding my flow with school. A business class is so much easier to prepare for. Just read, memorize and show up! lol I have started using the CD as a visual aid and I found some cheesy high school website I found. I think having the simplied website has actually helped. Well wish me luck everyone and thanks for your help!!!!

Specializes in CNA.
Each person has different "buttons" to push that help them learn more effectively. I found buying a huge stack of flashcards (500 at a time at Staples) and writing short questions/answers that reinforced my notes worked best. I literally "grinded" the material into my head. I'm more of a slogger than a visual person. Find what works for you...

Also - the pre-reqs for nursing are harder than the actual program. They in no way reflect on what kind of nurse you can be, will be, will probably wind-up being. I found nursing school exams to be very easy - as long as you paid attention in class and took good notes (I barely opened my books to read). A lot of the people I knew (in my experience that is) who did not pass usually had outside personal issues that interfered with school. The pre-reqs, taken at Rio, were brutal in comparison!

Get through the pre-reqs, get into school, and enjoy your career. Don't let the pre-reqs get you down.

This post just made my day!!! :redbeathe

If you can, I would also find a tutor. I had a miserable time getting through Chemistry, and that was just the fix I needed. Your professor can usually connect you with someone.

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