[lynn85]

I did horrible on my first anatomy exam this semester. I guess it's kinda put a dent in my motivation. And I can tell statistics is going to be a killer this semester as well. I was looking through some of the posts on here and it seems like everyone gets such good grades. I've never really been an "A" student, I've always been one of those people who gets B's no matter what. I know I shouldn't compare myself to other people but I can't help but do so. I was just wondering if anyone has any study tips.

I have ADD so it's kinda of hard to pay attention some time and stay on task. I take medication but my doctor had to lower the dosage since I was having heart pains and I can definitly tell because I get off track in a minute. Anyways.... I guess I was just wondering how everyone goes about studying. Lately when I have a big exam I've been treating myself to latte or mocha from Starbucks before I begin and I've been going to the library where there are no distractions.

I know this post is kinda whiny but I just feel so down from that awful grade.

[GottaGetIn]

Do not stress! I got a 40 on my very first A&P quiz and managed to get an A for that semester! I think I needed that bad grade in order to shape me up, kwim?

It is only ONE test. You need to look forward. Get extra help! Everyone finds there own personal way to study, but I made flash cards and memorized every bold word in the text. I also memorized all notes from class. It was time consuming, but you really need to get a good grade to get into nursing school. Do everything it takes. Commit yourself today to getting the best grade possible. Do not look back, just look forward. You CAN do this. It IS possible. You can turn your grade around today and you CAN get an A! Really!
Get extra help....go to tutoring sessions. Do whatever it takes!

[stpauligirl]

Originally Posted by lynn85

I did horrible on my first anatomy exam this semester. I guess it's kinda put a dent in my motivation. And I can tell statistics is going to be a killer this semester as well. I was looking through some of the posts on here and it seems like everyone gets such good grades. I've never really been an "A" student, I've always been one of those people who gets B's no matter what. I know I shouldn't compare myself to other people but I can't help but do so. I was just wondering if anyone has any study tips.

I have ADD so it's kinda of hard to pay attention some time and stay on task. I take medication but my doctor had to lower the dosage since I was having heart pains and I can definitly tell because I get off track in a minute. Anyways.... I guess I was just wondering how everyone goes about studying. Lately when I have a big exam I've been treating myself to latte or mocha from Starbucks before I begin and I've been going to the library where there are no distractions.

I know this post is kinda whiny but I just feel so down from that awful grade.

Tape the lectures if possible, I have a digital recorder and it is of tremendous help. You will be amazed if you listen to the lecture again how much stuff you missed!
You may also contact your Student's with Disabilities Support department at your school. If you have medical documentation for your condition you qualify for services which include alternate testing, extended time etc. Good luck.

[arciedee]

Does your school have any sort of student assistance office? Sometimes places like that can offer tests that determine what kind of learner you are and will help you learn how to study based on that. Everyone is different, some need no distraction, others can't study in silence, etc. If you can try to figure out what works best for you and keep working at it. You'll get there!

[lynn85]

Thank you all for your replies. I may tape the lectures now. I'm going to ask the teacher if that's ok. Also...you are right, this is only the first test!!!

[destined2bCRNA]

Also, check around different University websites to see if they podcast or if the lecture can can be downloaded to RealPlayer. Someone else's teaching style might be more comparable to your learning style. My University does this and it literally saved me for my 1st test. Although I didn't get my usual "A" grade on the test, I got a lot better grade than I should've. Due to a sprained ankle, I missed the 1st 5 weeks of the class! Yes, you read it right. But I was determined not to let that stop me. I start the nursing program in the Fall contingent on me passing this course with at least a "C" (although I'd cry like a baby if I got one since I never have). Anyhoo, my professor podcasts all the lectures so during the 5 weeks I was out (okay, not the whole 5 weeks, just the last week lol), I listened to the downloaded files on my computer and took notes in the lecture notebook (most professors in my school have a lecture notebook that you can buy from the bookstore). Never attended one class, never attended one lab and I got a "B" although it was probably the hardest test in my life!

[DesertRain]

Originally Posted by lynn85

Thank you all for your replies. I may tape the lectures now. I'm going to ask the teacher if that's ok. Also...you are right, this is only the first test!!!

Definitely do this!!! I cannot stress enough how much it does help. Make sure you get one that you can upload on to your computer though, I have 3 a cassette recorder, a regular digital recorder and I am only in love with my third one because it's also a digital recorder with USB capability. I have all my lectures saved on my computer to free up space on my recorder and I download them on my ipod and listen to them constantly. I am in A&P II and I was an "average" A&P I student, but then this magical recorder came into my life and I listen to my lectures when I drive, when I work out, when I clean my house and I scored very well on my last exam and the material in A&P II is definitely not easier than the first one. I didn't even feel like I studied "enough" in the book, but my prof. is the kind that will really stress test material in his lectures....believe me, you have no idea they are even stressing it until you re-listen to them a few times through. Also, if you look at one of my very first posts it was about a very bad A&P exam grade that I obviously recovered from. Good luck, don't give up!

[catzy5]

Originally Posted by lynn85

I did horrible on my first anatomy exam this semester. I guess it's kinda put a dent in my motivation. And I can tell statistics is going to be a killer this semester as well. I was looking through some of the posts on here and it seems like everyone gets such good grades. I've never really been an "A" student, I've always been one of those people who gets B's no matter what. I know I shouldn't compare myself to other people but I can't help but do so. I was just wondering if anyone has any study tips.

I have ADD so it's kinda of hard to pay attention some time and stay on task. I take medication but my doctor had to lower the dosage since I was having heart pains and I can definitly tell because I get off track in a minute. Anyways.... I guess I was just wondering how everyone goes about studying. Lately when I have a big exam I've been treating myself to latte or mocha from Starbucks before I begin and I've been going to the library where there are no distractions.

I know this post is kinda whiny but I just feel so down from that awful grade.

Hang in there and keep trying, I feel for you I am sorry you are struggling I have a learning disability and know what its like, I am much older then you and I can tell you the years have helped me a great deal, I also have twin boys with ADD and I know what a blessing th medicine is what a HUGE difference on off or lower dosage.

I would suggest going to the learning center see if they have some study tips. Also going somewhere with no distractions is a great idea, maybe team up with someone doing well get some tips from them, also very important, make a schedule! Set goals small ones and keep to them, making small goals will help you achieve them and keep you motivated to keep going, having too much will overwhelm you and you will put it off.

When I go to study I break it down I say I am going to do xyz even though I have gads more to do, when I finish xyz, I start a new set of goals.

Keep it up you don't have to get A's just do YOUR best.

[MIKelly]

My first exam in A&P was a wake up call that let me know I needed to study more! I got an 89 in lecture and 74 in lab. I couldn't believe my lab grade when I got it . I did better on every exam after that, and you can too!