Needing advice for A&P I!!!

IaCountryGirl · Dec 14, 2007

As everyone else has said, it's not technically hard, it's just that a lot of information is being thrown at you. First, I recommend brushing up on medical terminology- a short course textbook should help you out quite a bit. Second, a lot of it's putting the little pieces together to get the big picture- and figuring out how to organize that information. My instructor used a lot of metaphors with 11X8 sheets of paper that helped organize it somewhat.

If you have trouble with a concept, make it into a story. You can't always just memorize the stuff, but if you make it into a story and if you can retell the story, you should do ok.

For cranial nerves, he had a mnemonic but I can't remember the phrase. He also gave a phrase to remember if that particular nerve was sensory or motor or both and it went "Some say marry money but my brother says big brains matter more"- first letter of each word gives away to whether it's sensory or what and it goes in the numerical order.

I think bones were by far the hardest for me.

nspeed22 · Dec 14, 2007

I am a freshman student who just finished AnP (with an A+!!:balloons:)...anyways..My best advice to you would be to study for at least 1-1.5 hours a day on days when there is no test in the forseeable future. When a test is about 2 weeks away, up it to 3 hours a night. I took 4 classes along with AnP (chem, sociology, stats, informatics) and the workload can be difficult. If you study a little every day, even when you "don't need too", it isnt so hard to keep up. Read the chapter in the book the night before the lecture on that chapter. Doing this will give you a better understanding of what your prof wants you to focus on in the chapter and what he isnt worried about you knowing. If you study like this, you will be well prepared for tests while your classmates will be cramming at the last minute. AnP isnt so bad.

nspeed22 · Dec 14, 2007

As everyone else has said, it's not technically hard, it's just that a lot of information is being thrown at you. First, I recommend brushing up on medical terminology- a short course textbook should help you out quite a bit. Second, a lot of it's putting the little pieces together to get the big picture- and figuring out how to organize that information. My instructor used a lot of metaphors with 11X8 sheets of paper that helped organize it somewhat.
If you have trouble with a concept, make it into a story. You can't always just memorize the stuff, but if you make it into a story and if you can retell the story, you should do ok.
For cranial nerves, he had a mnemonic but I can't remember the phrase. He also gave a phrase to remember if that particular nerve was sensory or motor or both and it went "Some say marry money but my brother says big brains matter more"- first letter of each word gives away to whether it's sensory or what and it goes in the numerical order.
I think bones were by far the hardest for me.

Haha...my anatomy n phys teacher gave us mnuemonics for the cranial nerves and modalities as well...but they were much dirtier:uhoh3: ( "brains" was replaced with "breasts"...and i cant even say the cranial nerve one on here or i may get kicked out:nono:..but it sure as heck made me remember!!)

nurz2be · Dec 14, 2007

I'm starting pre-reqs in the spring, A&P I, and have seen a lot of different threads about A&P, but I thought I'd ask anyone who has already taken it what's the best advice you can give? What makes it so hard, how to do well, or any tips? I'm nervous and excited, ready to do my best, so any advice would be great! Thanks!

My tip ideas

1. On your break I would go through the above AP I stickies (The permanent topics above this) and look at the websites people have posted that help them with AP, i.e., Getbodysmart and others alike. Bookmark those on your computer because they will come in SUPER handy.

These tips are for while you are school.

2. READ the chapter BEFORE the class. Reason, you are going to hear TONS of medical terms that if you don't have a medical background can be very intimidating. When you read the material before class, although you might not KNOW what all the terms mean, you will have them in your head and they will be "familiar."

3. Take detailed notes. I am a note taker and it shows in my notes. I do a 3 step not taking process that may sound like a lot of work, because it is, but they are accurate and the repetition drills the info into my head. The night before class when I am doing pre-reading I take notes of the chapter. Bold face words and subtitles in the chapter make it on the first set of notes. I also make a page of the medical words I don't know in a list, later will become flashcards.

I take notes while I am in class. ANYTHING the instructor says more than once makes the notes, ANYTHING he wrote on the board made it to the notes. He didn't just stand up there and read word for word the chapter he highlighted it and I highlighted the things he discussed in class in my book. Set 3 of the notes come when I take the pre-reading notes and combine them with the class notes and highlighted information. I make flashcards of medical terms.

4. STUDY each day/night. Don't try to cram the night or two before the exam. This medical information is overwhelming to most because it is new to them and because there is SO much of it. Take it in small doses and you will be fine.

5. Find a study group. After you have taken your first test, the first one is the roughest because you don't know how the instructor makes tests til then. You will know what areas you need to focus on more. Get with a study group every week and use their strengths and let them use yours.

FINALLY, if you come to a point where you see yourself struggling, don't wait, go to your instructor for assistance. If you put it off you could find yourself falling behind. Most instructors want you to succeed so they will help you help yourself.

Good luck with your studies.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2007

what makes anatomy and physiology seem so hard is that most of the material is new to you, you've probably never had it before, so you don't have much prior knowledge to base it on. that makes the learning of it just a little more frustrating. however, anatomy is essentially a lot of memorization of new material that, at this time, may or may not mean much to you. physiology involves knowing and understanding the steps of cyclical processes in the body that are ongoing. when you actually start seeing diseases in people as a nursing student you will review this anatomy information and it will start to make more sense.

there is a list of weblinks to sites of various college instructors who have anatomy websites to help students out. they are listed on post #45 of this thread: https://allnurses.com/forums/f205/pathophysiology-p-fluid-electrolyte-resources-145201.html - pathophysiology/a & p/fluid & electrolyte resources

here is information on memorization techniques:

good luck in your class. we all had to take it.

AtomicWoman · Dec 15, 2007

Make lots and lots of flashcards with terminology and illustrations that you have to memorize.

Take advantage of your textbook's website practice quizzes, games, etc. I found them very helpful.

If you've had biology in the recent past, review the chapters on organelles, cell structure and function, etc. before class starts. That will give you a jumpstart on a big chunk of material that's done early in A&P I.

Photocopy illustrations from your textbook, cross out the labels on the structures and then label them yourself, over and over. I typically do this 6 to 12 times, depending on the level of difficulty and detail of the illustration.

Go through Fall '07's A&P I thread. Notice where anyone gave a link to a useful website. Go to the website and save the url/shortcut in a folder on your computer desktop. I go to my folder constantly.

Hope something in there helps you! Good luck!

birdy88 · Dec 15, 2007

This advice is FABULOUS, its been awhile since I've had any science classes, so i was a little nervous, but now I think I kinda know what to expect! I've already ordered the book mentioned earlier, The Stuff of Life, and can't wait to get a head start

Thanks again :)

polishgurlrn2b · Dec 15, 2007

Where I am, we take Anatomy and Physiology separate. I just completed Anatomy for the second time. First time was 7 years ago and I did HORRIBLE! Second time, I made it out with a B. Difference was, 7 years ago, I was preoccupied with my boyfriend, and other stuff, that I didn't focus on my homework and studying... The class isn't "hard", but there is ALOT to remember. You have to study everyday. not just the day before the test... If I would have really applied myself this last semester, I would have made an A! So now its on to Physiology for me! Good luck!

merluv78 · Jan 6, 2008

My advice, which worked for me in A&P I and II is to stay on top of your homework and reading assignments, be organized, ask questions, develop studying habits to help you retain information (index cards, watch topic related movies, study groups,etc). Good Luck to you!!

angelgreg · Jan 6, 2008

what id did before I started my A&P was I started about a week or two before the class even started. I went through the first couple chapters and made flash cards. Started with the directional terms of anatomy and then moved on from there. I also skimmed through the first couple chapters making notes. Then once the class started I compared the notes that i took prior to the class starting to what was discussed in the lectures. And continued to study and make flash cards. And I went to everyopen lab possible. It is not hard. It is just very time consuming. Count on about 16-20 hours of studying a week for that class and you will do fine. The best advice i can give you is not to memorize the information but, learn it! Cause if you just memorize it you will not know how to apply it when you get to A&P2 or when you take your HESI.

Hope that helps.

:)