I'm seriously debating to drop anatomy class

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I've been studying for hours and hours on my anatomy class and apparently I still having trouble on lecture tests.

Right now I have a 78% in this class, and sadly to say I'm very disappointed in myself. I don't understand how I'm doing this average when I've studied for long hours of it. Even go to another college to study the models from their tutoring lab!

Some students say it's because our original teacher whose supposed to teach us quit on the first day. So we had another teacher and he was so awesome! However my lab teacher was absolute horrid. Some students felt inadequate with this lab teacher because he doesn't really "teach". Just reads off power points.

And now he's our new lecture teacher. ugh.

I'm not trying to make excuses for myself, but just an idea of what the students in this class have gone through. Each three teachers have different expectations of us.

My drop date is today before midnight. I haven't taken physio and micro yet, but having anatomy at 78% C range is not good to see on a transcript. If I take the C, I would not be able to repeat it. If I do repeat, I'll have a withdrawal in the class and I hear those are worse than a C. Is this true?

It is SUPER frustrating when you feel like you've given a class your all and you're still not seeing the results you want--I know I've been there and am going through it as we speak. As far as dropping it, I would weigh your options by considering the following: 1. Are you on any type of Financial Aid? If so, this may not be the best thing to do. For example, I am currently using my A+ scholarship money which pays for my tuition each semester and I found out that I have to have a 75% passing ratio (at least in Missouri-it COULD be different for other states I don't know), so that really gave me no other option but to suck it up and take a class with an instructor I REALLY didn't care for. 2. How's your GPA? Would getting a "C" bomb it or would it only affect it slightly? If it's gonna hurt your GPA significantly (like below a 2.7 in my opinion), I would drop the class. If it's only going to take you down a tenth of a point, I wouldn't worry about it. I know it is said that Nursing Schools will not accept "C"s, but this isn't always true. It could be the MINIMUM is a "C" but that doesn't necessarily mean that you won't get in. As long as you keep at it, I don't think one "C" is going to kill you. I got a "C" in my Anatomy class too but my Physiology class is at a "B" right now, so my theory is for me, it'll all work out in the end. and 3rd, are you able to talk with the teacher at all about your grade? I know some instructors (particularly in Community Colleges) are really difficult to communicate with, but it's always worth a shot because sometimes, they will negotiate your grade at the end of the semester if you're at like a 79.99% or sometimes even a 78.9% or something; so you might try that too if you decide to stick with the class.

Don't give up!! Signing up for classes every semester makes me cringe especially when I don't know the teacher that I'm taking the course with because it's like a crapshoot; you never know what they'll be like. Some instructors can really make you feel like you're the dumbest person in the word because of the grade they give you! But stay strong and hang in there because I guarantee you that in any workplace you'll run into those types of people that seem to bring you down no matter how hard you work, so learning to handle it now will help you significantly in the workforce!!

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You're SO close to that B! It sounds like the teachers are where the main issue lies as it seems they are inconsistent. Have you spoken to the department head regarding this? Have you tried different study techniques? Quality is better than quantity. I'm a fan of the pomodoro study technique and being aware of your learning style.

In my experience, a W is better than getting a low grade for GPA purposes. You may want to double check with the program you intend on applying to, though, because some have policies regarding retakes and how many you are allowed.

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I've dropped a couple of classes while working on my first degree. I haven't dropped any since taking pre-Reqs for Nursing. However, when I'm taking a class I know is going to require extra study time, I intentionally don't take many other courses that semester. Back to dropping a class, my opinion is that sometimes a drop is wise, especially if you know your score is not going to help you reach your goal. Since Nursing is so competitive, having a "C" in A&P might make it hard to get into a program.

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I forgot to ask, do you know if your instructor records the final grade on a curve? Being 2pts away from a "B", with time to brig it up some more.... you could actually manage an "A" if a curve is involved.

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Take to your teacher, sometime we take to others students who don;t give you the right help....I was accepted in nursing school for winter and I am still taking micro.. I am an A and B student but micro lecture was killing me. In my mid-term I taught about auditing the class because I was struggling, but after speaking with my teacher I got a B. He curved it and also he told me he says my effort in class by asking questions...I agree with some people here do not withdraw you are so close to the B....Mostly talk to your TEACHER...

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I know what you mean with having trouble in anatomy. I had a hard time with that class. I wish I could have dropped anatomy but I couldn't. In my school it was MANDATORY for all students to take it and if not you couldn't move on in the program :(. Good luck

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When do you plan to transfer? I think if you decide to withdraw the class, it only means that you are saving your grade to use this time to study until you are ready to take anatomy in the next semester/quarter. Getting a withdrawal is way better than getting a low score that may improve chances of getting into the program. I don't think you should be concerned if you end up having a C because it may be entirely acceptable depending on the school, but you also want to excel in the TEAS exam just to be sure that you know your terminology before you transfer into the program. I am pretty sure if you have one C, it is not a problem. However, you still should study hard and focus on your science prerequisites along the way. But I can see that you are working really hard just as I am, so I give props for you on that! So keep working hard and everything will pay off in the end!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

In my experience, withdrawals aren't looked up badly...unless the student has many of them scattered through their record. Then they may start questioning why.

IMO, if you can reach a B, stick with the class and get it over with. Save your withdrawal for when you really need it.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

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Every school & nursing program is different. At my school, withdrawals mean nothing, but they only allow a retake one time per class.

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I'd advise you to look at grade requirements for the program you wish to attend. The schools in my area require C minimum, so as long as you get above Cs in the majority you should be okay but this depends on your area of course. Cs really aren't always bad and you are so close to a B! Work your *** off and I think you can do it.

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1. I don't think you should drop since you're so close. Something that I am doing for my micro class is calculating what I need to get on the last test and last quiz to get the grade I want so I don't have to take the cumulative final. Maybe figuring that out will give you extra motivation to give a little more push so you can get a B (I have a 79.6 in micro and I need an 80; he doesn't curve or round grades up though Dx.)

2. What school do you go to? I'm curious.

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If you still have tests to take and the final then don't give up. I was at 76% with more tests left and the final. The class was total 5 tests and the final. 3 of the tests I kept getting C's and I was so upset. No matter what I did I kept getting the C's. But then what happened was I changed my way of studying. I started to record her lectures and went home and listened to every word, sometimes repeating a section over and over again. My teacher said that I needed 80's on everything else that's left for me to get a B in the class. I got 88% on my remaining 2 tests and passed my final and she gave me a B. I was on the verge of dropping just like you, same situation that you are in except you are even closer than I was to a B. A drop is not better than a C in my opinion. When it comes to ADN programs and they have the chancellor's system to determine if a student qualifies for their program, a retake takes down the percentage for qualification more than a C does. So I would say if you have tests left change your method of studying. record the lectures, and go to your teacher and ask what else is there for you to do to get the B in class. Just don't give up. However, this is my mentality based on my experiences idk how determined you are to drop it. Good Luck and remember there is hope to not get the C! you are so close!

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