Help for a struggling science student

KJM-RN, BSN · Jul 8, 2013

Hi All,
I am currently taking my pre reqs at community college and I am just horrible in my science classes and I am getting really worried that I might not be able to be a nurse because of this. So I have a few questions and if you can answer any of the following, please do!
1. How much science will I need to know once I am a nurse? (how often will I use it)
2. Do you have any advice on how to study in my classes?
THANK YOU

Classes such as A&P are key to being a successful nursing student and nurse. What you learn in those classes is essential to grasp the information taught in classes such as med surg and pharmacology. In order to understand a patients disease process you have to understand how the body works. Granted I doubt you're going to remember the names of all the muscles, but having an idea of major ones is important (just giving an example).

I always studied by reading the assigned readings, highlighting key points as i went, and attending every single class. When it was test time I would read through the powerpoints or class notes and re-read what I highlighted, correlating it to what was taught in class. I spent a lot of time studying, but was able to maintain straight A's all throughout school. Hope that helps and good luck! Keep in mind that if you're taking a summer course it's a condensed semester so it's a lot all at once, you might be better taking it during a full semester.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2013

Good day, sarade:

What science classes are you taking?

Does your school offer tutoring? If yes, have you seen one or more tutors?

How many weeks are you into the semester? How many exams have you had to date? How many are left before the semester ends?

What's your attendance been like for the science classes?

Do you find yourself doing better in lab if there's a lab?

What methods are you using to study and prepare for tests?

What type of system have you set up to stay organized?

When you take a test, do you notice if your issues are with vocabulary? With concepts? Any particular area?

Thank you.

rubato, ASN, RN · Jul 9, 2013

Science is SOOOOO important. But, if you aren't grasping it right now, that doesn't mean that you won't get it eventually. Tutors, extra time in the lab, more studying, study partners, whatever it takes.

StayHumble11 · Jul 9, 2013

Science is the foundation my friend...study hard and seek tutors if necessary.

Kimbsntobe · Jul 9, 2013

Khanacademy.edu or you tube.com and the name of your science course....study hard and good luck

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Jul 9, 2013

I totally suck at science and math. I still suck at Math but managed to get an A in Math for Allied Health anyway. This is after two years of pre reqs. While I sucked pretty bad at my science courses at first (I passed them, at least!) I now excel at them because you DO eventually grasp the material and retain what you learn. I'm still an English/Arts kind of person but it does get easier to understand the sciences the more you study them.

kaydensmom01 · Jul 9, 2013

Yes it is essential to understand the sciences. You can't just learn them for the class and forget them either, you must retain the information for years because you will be expected to know it during nursing school and will not go back over it (especially A&P).

When I was in the sciences I studied before class for hours and hours. I read everything and re-read it until I understood it, and then went to class to listen to lecture for clarification and for important parts that the professor wanted us to know. Class is not where you will learn the material, that is the most important thing to understand in my opinion. Your professor can not possibly teach you everything you need to know, it is our job as students to learn outside the classroom and then go to them if we need help. The only way I learned the sciences is by studying for hours and hours a day, reading and writing the information over and over again until I completely remembered and understood it.

Bonnieparker22 · Jul 13, 2013

I'm a pre nursing student but I have done well in all of my science classes so far. What worked for me was getting together in small study groups (one or two other people) and reviewing together. You'll find that sometimes you understand some things better once you have to explain it to another person! Do all of your assigned readings, take notes and review those notes daily! I like to every once in a while compile my notes and rewrite them in an outline format. I tend to do this as a review for a test. First I'll try to recall the information without my notes and get as much down on paper as I can. Then I can see where I really need help! If your having difficulty apply concepts, it might help to sit down with a tutor.

dahspo · Jul 15, 2013

Nursing cannot exist without science, and if you hear people saying that you won't need it... if you cannot deal with the science and only want to do the minimum to get through, perhaps nursing isn't for you?

Vincent_ · Jul 15, 2013

It's important you understand the material in your science classes. Nursing itself involves a lot of science so rather than focusing on 'how much of what I am studying right now will be used?' focus on 'how can I improve my learning capacity' and 'how can I apply what I know'. A lot of people here raise good points, and everyone has a different way of studying.

Try a study group or seek your local tutoring center on your college campus for help if you are really struggling. It also helps to be proactive during class or during your professor's office hours to ask crucial questions to clarify concepts you don't understand.

Don't limit your resources, try even google or youtube if you really can't understand something but remember to focus on what your professor teaches and what you are expected to know throughout each lecture and exams.

In undergrad I would tend to read an assigned chapter or reading in advance if I have time to get a head start on learning new concepts if it was a class I had to really invest my time in. If you download powerpoint presentations, highlighting and making your own side notes help you focus on the main idea and understand underlying mechanisms and detail. I find making my own notes really solidify my understanding of material. Creating study sheets a week or two before your exams or just simply going over your notes on a daily basis really helps retain information.

For a lot of the nursing pre-reqs, a lot of professors give practice questions, and some have websites where they post old exams. Be sure to do them! Exposure to a professor's style of examination as well as practicing problems will help speed up the learning process.

Career2_BSN, BSN · Jul 15, 2013

www.quizlet.com is an excellent (free) tool for studying. You create virtual flashcards by typing out the front and back of the card. You can then study them as flashcards online or using an app on a smartphone or tablet. My favorite feature was creating quizzes from this data. You have your choice of Ture/False, fill-in-the-blank, matching, or selecting the right answer out of 4 possibilities. Click one button that says "create quiz" and the site does it for you. You can quiz yourself as many times as you feel are necessary. This will help you with any memorization that you need ---- especially for Anatomy and Physiology.

Form a strong study group that might span multiple classes. In my first Bio class, I met 2 other students who were just as invested in their education as I am (no partiers or slackers). We formed a study group and proceded to take 3 more classes together. Each of us was strong in at least one area. Teaching someone a concept helps reinforce the concept in your own brain. It also shows you errors when you think you have the right answer and are a bit off.

When you read the textbooks, DO THE REVIEWS even if they are not assigned. This includes the mini-reviews throughout the chapter as well as the ones at the end of the chapter. Do the odd ones since the answers are in the back of the book. Often times, textbooks will also be online and they may have additional study areas online that help illustrate the point. I have found many occasions where questions on the test were pulled directly from these reviews.

In the beginning of each semester, I find it easy to read ahead and I may not understand it completely, but when the instructor goes over it, I'm somewhat familiar with it and it's easier to grasp the complete topic. Later in the semester, when I start running out of steam, I don't do all of the reading ahead of time. I listen to the instructor and while it makes sense in the classroom, I often have trouble recalling what was spoken about. I definitely perform better all around when I read the material prior to the class so that may help you as well.

My parents instilled something in me that I sincerely believe is true for everyone....

"You can do anything you want to do, be anything you want to be, if you're willing to work for it".

The key here is you have to be willing to work for it. For some, these classes are easy and they study very little. For others, these courses are very difficult and they study all day and half the night. At the end of the program, both become nurses. Time will tell who makes the better nurse but I'd almost bet money, the one who studied her butt off ends up being the better nurse.