freaking out

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Hi. I went to orientation a week ago, and we got our homework for the week before school. I spent a better part of every day this week studying A&P, and thought I could retain most of it...this morning I took my in-book quizzes, and did horribly:o. This is just the beginning of A&P, the 1st 4 chapters...I feel so ignorant, like I'm never going to get this now!! First day of school is Monday, and I already feel like I'm never gonna make it...:o..seriously, 6 hours a day studying, trying to remember all the names, events, chemical changes, I'm going crazy!! I took so many notes on my book that it practically reads like another A&P book. Am I the only one who feels like I took a stupid pill, or is this normal?? (I'm going to a private school, so no pre req's were required, like a&p)...please, help!! What am I doing wrong? I already know that on Friday we have a test on the 1st 4 chapters..I feel utterly hopeless...

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

First off, take a deep breath and relax. Easier said than done but you can do hard things.

Recognize the A&P are not easy subjects. There is more material than you're probably used to. You're going to find a new reality in terms of how much material that you're covering throughout nursing school and you will become more acclimated.

Six hours a day studying A&P does not seem inordinate, especially if you've had no other science (chem & Bio 101). There were days when I put in more time than that but other days much less. My average was probably closer to 3-4.

You need to learn how you study effectively. I would suggest:

  • Flash cards of terms, structures, and features. Put them on a ring and carry them with you. Look at them several times every day even if for only a few minutes.

I'd advise making them rather than buying them. Their making will be part of your retention. Also, consider scanning images from your book and putting them on the flash cards.

  • Consider an A&P coloring book. I find them helpful for certain things but I really prefer flash cards and other techniques. Some swear by them, though.

  • Study the figures very carefully. Redraw them yourself. Cover up the page and talk yourself through what's there. Make sure you know what everything means.

  • One of the biggest weaknesses I see in my classmates regards terminology. When you're learning new terms and concepts, make sure you can define things articulately and with the terminology used in your text. If you find yourself stumbling or searching for words or using non-specific phrases then you don't know it well enough.

  • Don't study in long stretches. Take frequent breaks so that you can stay engaged.

  • Do study every day, even if for just a little while. Also, do mental reviews even while you're not studying.

  • Spend time with your teachers in office hours and talk to them before, during, and after class. This will both help you learn and help build their image of you as a serious student.

Lastly, relax... They would not have admitted you if they didn't think you could do it. If they have confidence in you then you should, too. Stick with it and it will become more manageable (I hesitate to say easier but you will become a more proficient student).

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I am assuming that this is this A&P 1? Is it just a written test or identification as well? What do your first 4 chapters consist of and are you taking any other classes?

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Music in My Heart has it right on! I didn't find the coloring books that helpful but flashcards were essential! Also, she's right, remember your terminology, if you can understand prefixes and or roots of a word, it will help you to remember what the word means. Also, for our practicals, I would take pictures of the models, print them and write what they were on the back, for histology, I would print out pictures of the tissues that we were required to know, paste them to flash cards and write the answers on the back as well. I cannot stress enough that you have to breathe and relax. I would look at the information, feel completely overwhelmed and freak!! I wasted my time saying that it was impossible to learn all this! Also, try to study a little bit a day, you don't realize all the information you retain....good luck!

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thank you so much...the 1st chapters are: organization and plan of the body, basic chemistry, cells, tissues and membranes...yes, I would guess A&P 1...and the basic chemistry isn't so basic, lol..maybe if I worked for nasa...I have a good "general" understanding of the 4 chapters, but to get in depth and have everything memorized, I'm far from it...I refuse to give up, and I know I will do it, I'm just really shook up at the fact that we're expected to memorize and understand sooo much info in 1 week time, and also that it doesn't stick like studies used to when I was in school. I will be making the flash cards today...

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This is why I feel bad for the nursing students who are accepted before taking any pre-reqs. At our college they have to carry 19 credits the first semester - mandatory!

I have all of mine done and this fall will be my first semester of NS. Although it can be done, there is no way I could have done either of the A&P classes while doing the nursing stuff. No Way In Hades!

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg, Nursery.

It is completely normal and the previous posters listed some helpful tips!

Try your best to calm down, know you are NOT alone, and see how the first test is before you freak out. The first is always scary, you don't know what to expect or what the teacher is going to expect on tests - once you take that first one and see their testing style...studying will come easier and you'll be a little more calm.

Best of luck to you, it will be OK...we have ALL been there. :)

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everyone here is so right! sweetie, we've all been there. music in my heart gave some excellent advice, i'd try all of her tactics.

a & p i & ii were required before i began my nursing classes. i had a heck of a time with those classes, i passed, but barely! now that i'm in nursing, it has all come together. i actually understand a & p now that i can actually relate it to the nursing process. i know that's silly, but it's so true.

we're here to help! i have a feeling that you're going to do just fine! :balloons:

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It's funny, I bought my books for my prereqs yesterday, and thought the exact same things when I looked in it. I ***thought*** I was going to have a fairly easy time with A&P, simply because I retained much of the knowledge I learned about the human body from high school, and on my own afterwards (mostly after I got married and wanted a baby). Now I just feel plain stupid! How am I supposed to learn ALL the names of ALL those little bitty parts of things that I diddn't even KNOW HAD NAMES??? But I am at least glad that I decided to familarize my self with the book. At least now I'll have something to build off of, instead of going into my first class blind... Thanks alot for posting up the tips! I'll definatly get started on doing that this weekend!!!---By the way, do ALL A&P books have pictures of dead people in them?? I wasn't expecting that, and everytime I see one I get a yucky feeling...Did anyone else have that problem? I'm sure it will pass, I think it was mostly that I was just caught off guard.

Have a Great day

Chancie

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

One thing that REALLY helped me is this:

As you are studying along reading in your book, making flashcards etc, don't skip over something you don't understand. Your mind will get stuck on that material, making it VERY difficult to continue to study effectively. You won't even be conscious of it. Take each paragraph (or sentence) at a time, and do what you need to do with that piece of information, make a flash card or write a note about it. I always do flashcards, but I always also write notes..like PEARLS... have you ever seen that? (I'm currently studying for my CCRN certification, and the way I learn has not changed.)

Anyway, if indeed there is something you don't understand and you need to ask your Prof or whatever. You need to consciously tell yourself that you will find the answers and to let go of it for right now.

So as you move forward through the chapter, you know that you understand everything you just covered, and all you have to do is memorize it. There is nothing left 'incomplete'. You have placed each piece of info somewhere, like on a flashcard OR on a note.

Another thing that really helps me:

Also, if you are learning new material, do it in the morning or earlier in the day, if you are memorizing do it at night. Your mind will let you rest better if you are just memorizing material you already understand. However, if you are learning new stuff, your mind will be working harder to process that info and if you are doing it before you go to bed you won't rest as well. Of course, sometimes there isn't a choice.

Also, you will definitely learn how to learn and what works best for you. Good luck, don't be soooo hard on yourself!!!

:yeah::yeah::yeah: you can do it!!!

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Thank you all so much..I will let you know how this 1st week fares...til then I'll be in my A&P book, doing flashcards, and taking notes..

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Specializes in CNA; LPN Student.

Are you in an LPN program or RN program?

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