Question for those who just finished A&P I

stpauligirl · Dec 20, 2005

I was studying a little at a time ( 2 hours before class and 2 hours after class). On Saturdays, I was studying using the lab for 6-8 hours. Just remember, Anatomy is like a BIG fat Elephant. How do you eat an Elephant? Small pieces at a time. That's how I was doing it. I passed with an A. I also taped the lecture, I rewrote my notes (typed), and used online resources, as well as the text book and cliff notes. I organized a study group, which I was in charged off. The whole group got A for the class. And if there was a concept I did not understand, I would not move to the next thing until I clearly understood it. I went to tutoring 4 times to understand, protein systhesis, Sodium potassium Pump, Endoconchral ossification and blood crossings. I knew those are important to know before I start the nursing program. One good think I did, I read the first chapter before I even start the class. So I was already ahead.
Dont wait until last minute to study, it's just not going to work. You have to understand the materials well in order to be able to do well on mostly multiple choices.
Good Luck

You are so right about the Elephant! I also taped the lecture which helped tremendously. Sounds like your class was as difficult as mine, but we did it and did it well :wink2:

lovingpecola · Dec 21, 2005

I just finished A&P I this semester and OMG it was hard. We started with over 300 students (A&P is only offered once during the day and is held in an amphitheater - but about 10 lab sections are offered) and ended with a little over 100. 2/3s of the class failed out.

I must admit that I took A&P with an *extremely* heavy course load (19 semester credit hours) and this added to my struggle, but I was getting ready for grad school application process.

To (finally) answer your question:

I studied about 1 hour per day on NON-test weeks, but starting ONE WEEK B4 the TEST I studied about 4 hours PER NIGHT. But the tests were extremely difficult (to me - I am an English major) our first test was over the first 9 chapters of the textbook, was 100 questions to be answered in 75 minutes. The range of scores was 21-90, and the average was 62 - which is a few points from failing. As people dropped, the average rose, and eventually it hit about 75.

I also used the online resources that came with the text book often.

I also started a study group (like the previous poster) which worked WONDERS for this class.

If I hadn't of had 5 *other* classes, I would have studied harder and gotten an A, but I got a B in A&P, and opted for A's in some other classes.

Good Luck

Loving Pecola

SoulShine75 · Dec 21, 2005

How many hours per day/week did you find that you needed to study for A&P I?

We didn't have any homework in our class, just exams. I would start studying 2 weeks before an exam because I didn't want to try cramming all of that info in at the last minute. I would take sections and learn it and know it front and back then I would take a day or two off and study another section. The day before the exam I would always go over the things that gave me the most trouble. I usually studied for 2 hours for each section at the most. Once you learn your isntructors testing style you'll have an easier time. It's the 1st test that's the killer.

As of right now I only remember about 45-50% of what I learned last semester. :chuckle

These websites were really helpful for me when it came down to the muscle and bone exams. I hope they help you out as well.

http://www.msjensen.gen.umn.edu/webanatomy/GAME/default.html

http://www.msjensen.gen.umn.edu/webanatomy/default.htm

Good luck!

JudithLane · Dec 27, 2005

I probably studied at least 10 to 12 hours a week for A and P 1. But I made an A. My helpful hint: study with a Taber's Medical Encyclopedia by your side....and look up every significant word! Learning the root meanings of the word helped my actually learn the information instead of trying to memorize so many meaningless terms. It also helped me remember information better. I will be taking A and P 2 this coming term. I hope my "method" continues to work. (I also used the information from the text via the computer).....Good luck!

Princess74 · Dec 28, 2005

Great suggestions you guys, thank you.

Nurse-To-Be-Joy · Dec 29, 2005

I think I studied about an hour a day. The day of a quiz (I take night classes) I would study 2 hours. For a test, I would study 4 hours that day, and 2 -3 hours each day the entire week before.

WannaBRN4 · Dec 29, 2005

My professor, WHO WAS EXCELLENT by the way , says that 12 hours to pass was sufficent. I have children but I made sure that I did those 12 hours and I passed with a "B". I probably could have studied a little more and if I had I waould have surely made a "A". 12 hours a week. If you want to really excel, more. Good Luck.