Summer quarter too short for Anatomy class?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi all,

I was over at school today and was interviewing anatomy instructors for summer quarter. Now, summer quarter at my community college is about 2.5 weeks shorter than a regular quarter, and the instructors say plan on Anatomy to take about 40 hours of study (memorization) to get a B in the class, which is the minimum you need to be competitive to gain entrance into the program here. One instructor said that taking this class summer quarter was do-able, but the whole schedule would simply be compressed into the time. Nothing omitted. I can understand this.

The other instructor I talked with said that it would likely take 50 hours per week of study to get a B in anatomy during summer quarter, and that the anatomy lab hours available to students would be greatly limited when compared to all the other quarters.

I do have the option of taking a couple of less challenging courses to fill the pre-reqs, and be able to still enjoy the summer. Enjoying the summer is of lesser concern than being able to conquer ALL the material and get a B. We do have the more stringent grading standards here, as well, so you have to get 83 - 86% to get a straight B.

I am leaning towards waiting till Fall quarter for Anatomy. Am I doing the right thing? :uhoh21:

Specializes in NICU.

That's probably what I would do, too :). I didn't think Anatomy was all that hard, but it took a ton of time! And lab time is useful, you don't want to get cut short on that, either. I kind of like summer semester even though things move faster because I end up being propelled through by the momentum. When will you have all your pre-reqs finished?

I think I might try Anatomy for summer if I had no other obligations. I have been thinking about this overnight, and one thing that one of the teachers said has stuck in my brain.... and that's this: That fall quarter about half of the summer quarter students have to re-take the course due to not getting at least a C, which is required to be able to continue on with physiology and micro. A C is also NOT good enough to satisfy the nursing department, either.

I think I'd rather not waste my money. I'll be taking a couple of courses that I can take online, and that way hubby will be happy, since that will enable us to take a vacation.... (Thank goodness for the laptop and WiFi connections!)

This will delay my application to nursing school by one quarter, but oh well. I should be done with pre-reqs the end of spring quarter. They don't start a new class in summer quarter... so that means fall of next year. :stone

Specializes in NICU.

Yeah, alot of kids took that class more than once at my school. I think they underestimated the amount of "out of class time" it would take. A year will go by pretty fast--it just feels good to be getting somewhere, doesn't it? Besides, a family vacation is a pretty good way to spend your time, too :).

Specializes in Operating Room.

I took A&P 1 in a regular-length semester because I HAD to make an A to even apply. The college where I attend goes by GPA, and right now the lowest GPA that is accepted is 3.77.

A&P 2, I am taking during summer 2, which is 5 weeks...July 12 - August 11th. The stress is not on to make an A as much as it was with the A&P 1.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

I am taking A+P2 over the summer but my course runs 11 weeks. My Spring A+P1 class ran 14 weeks...so it's only 3 weeks shorter and there were a lot of times in A+P 1 when we slowed to a crawl ( electrophysiology was one area this happened). I definetely think I could have taken A+P 1 in 11 weeks with the same grade I am getting (A). I guess it would all depend on the length of the course. I had the opportunity to take A+P 2 in 6 weeks and I said no to that. Also when it comes to study time I know I never put in anywhere CLOSE to 40-50 hours a week. I'd say 2 hours a day...so 14 hours a week ( not including class time)

Yes, 50 hours a week seems ubsurd to me as well. If you studied M-F that would be 10 hours a day :uhoh3:

Okay, you guys are really really scaring me now.

I NEED an "A" in A&P as well, and am scheduled to take it during the summer semester. I bought my books (text, lab and study guide-Marieb) and started looking over lab last night, the A&P place site today, and now Chapter 1 of the book...I've heard so many things about our A&P test, and usually the profs that people don't get along with/fear the most turn out to be my favorites, but ooooooh, boy!!!

Maybe I should hold out until Fall...:sofahider

I took Anatomy and lab last summer as well as Nutrition for a total of 7 credit hours. The classes were only 8 weeks long and I ended up with an A in both. And I am no major brain either. I did put in a considerable amount of study time, but no more than I expect to in my nursing classes. That's where the challenge comes in....I think you can do it. Sending Positive thoughts your way.

Specializes in NICU.

So I am in a May term A&P 1 class, the class goes for only 3 week yikes!!! I thought that I was going to be completely swamped, but it really isn't as bad as it seems. We have about 3-4 hours of lecture each day, and the same amount in lab each day. I also spend 6+ hours studying in the lab or for lecture each night, and on Saturday and Sunday. It seems like a lot of work, but really it isn't. If you're dedicated and motivated enough it works out really well. So I hope that helps. :)

I guess it depends on the teacher. I took it with a really cool teacher and passed no problems with an A. Very easy, however, I'd taken the one semester A&P a couple years prior and kept up with medical studies when not in school. A&P 1 is the easier of the two. Keep that in mind as well.

Sounds like your situation is much different. Only you know your capabilities. Good luck. :)

Well I decided to take Anatomy Fall quarter. Will be taking 2 other pre reqs, speech (interpersonal communications) and sociology. I don't think it'll be any problem at all to get those out of the way, and the shorter quarter won't affect those, because they aren't lots and lots of memorization.

Just wish I could get both of the summer classes online however.

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