Taking Anatomy for the second time

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi everyone, I'm currently in week 3 of 6 of a summer anatomy only class. This is the second time I've taken it. Unfortunately I had to withdraw just this spring due to the fact that I was taking anatomy, chemistry, sociology, and psychology. I also got an anatomy professor that just wasn't that good. His tests were overly difficult and we all seemed to have difficulties with them. The problem is that I dropped past the drop date and received a W. Thank God I passed all my other classes, so I decided to retake anatomy in the summer. My current professor is awesome and explains things so much better but guess what happens on the first day of class...my prior anatomy professor walks into our class and informs us he'll be teaching the class for the final 3 weeks since our professor is going on vacation. (What luck I have ) I almost died. I've tried my best to establish a firm foundation so I can survive when he takes over. Unfortunately I didn't do well on the first exam and practical because I had the know it all attitude since I'd taken the class before. I did good on the skeletal system practical and average on the written part. This week is muscular system and its been hard since we lost a day due to the Memorial Day holiday and I was sick and missed a day. I don't anticipate doing great on this exam either since I haven't felt well enough to get out of bed much less study.

My question is how did you guys get As in anatomy? At this point it's looking like I'll be pushing a B maybe even a C.

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Getting an A in anatomy requires a lot of study and not missing classes. If you feel sick and cant get out of bed you should study in your bed. If you cant keep your eyes open listen to lectures with your eyes closed. Being tenacious and committed to learning the content is what you need to do. I took Anatomy in the summer with a very hard teacher and got an A. We started with 40 students in the class and ended with 9. There were only 2 A's and I was one of them. If you want an A in anatomy its just getting in the volume of info. There is a lot to remember so start memorizing stuff. Just go over it until you feel like you cant think then take a break till you can think again and go over it again. Notice if the martial is sticking and if it isn't switch up your study habits until stuff starts to stick. Just go over everything! For muscle anatomy go over Histo, muscles origins inserts. and action, muscle names and any other info you can get your hands on. Just go over it and over it and over it as many times as you can until all you think about is anatomy.

Good luck!

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I recommend the A&P coloring book for memorization purposes. If you're a kinesthetic learner like me. Also, definitely take the time every day to go over the material. If the teacher allows, record the lecture on your phone and listen to it in the car or while you're just sitting around or exercising or whatever it is you like to do. :)

Don't psych yourself out about your old professor, at the end of the day, he/she wants you guys to really KNOW the material. Good luck! And remember, you get out what you put in.

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Specializes in PICU, CICU.

Showing proficiency in A&P is an early indication of whether or not one has the chops to succeed in nursing school. Aside from that A&P is literally just all memorization, you're not going to have to use critical thinking to tell one answer from another. That class pretty much shows who studied and who didnt

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A&P is all memorization basically. You got to find ways like coloring books, flash cards, quizlet, just something to get the information to stick in your head. Tutors help big time too. Depending on your school, my anatomy professors always had reviews where you just go in and they help you with the material. For me, it does not work for me to sit there and say I'm going to get an A. Rather than thinking about that A, think about being able to understand your material. Grades are important but you are going to want to retain your anatomy material for nursing school.

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Specializes in Flight Nursing, Emergency, Forensics, SANE, Trauma.

Our anatomy class had open lab hours. If yours does jump all over that. We also had "supplemental" class time of basically a mini review class each week. Check to see if your college offers it.

Take any extra opportunities available to you. Read, re read your book and notes from class.

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Specializes in OR Nursing, Critical Care, Med-surg.

Same thing happened to me in undergrad. I was in a ton of classes: A&P, A&P Lab, English, Statistics, Sociology and 2 electives and it was my 1st semester in college! I was crazy. I guess I took for granted how different college was going to be from high school. I ended up dropping my A&P course and got a W on my transcript. I was also working as well. It was a lot on my plate. I changed my study habits by bringing in a recorder to lecture (not all courses you can). I honestly do not remember reading a ton, but that was 8 years ago lol. My professor created an A&P minimized book that students could purchase at the bookstore, which was great! I highlighted important points in my book. It honestly is a lot of memorization. I retook that class in the Spring and got an A. And I kid you not, I took that along with Chemistry and lab, English II, History and Spanish..while working. So, it's possible - just have to be dedicated. I still got into nursing school first time applying. Did I retain all of that information for Nursing school or even as a nurse now? No way, but the basics do come with time. Good Luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Getting an A in anatomy requires a lot of study and not missing classes. If you feel sick and cant get out of bed you should study in your bed. If you cant keep your eyes open listen to lectures with your eyes closed. Being tenacious and committed to learning the content is what you need to do. I took Anatomy in the summer with a very hard teacher and got an A. We started with 40 students in the class and ended with 9. There were only 2 A's and I was one of them. If you want an A in anatomy its just getting in the volume of info. There is a lot to remember so start memorizing stuff. Just go over it until you feel like you cant think then take a break till you can think again and go over it again. Notice if the martial is sticking and if it isn't switch up your study habits until stuff starts to stick. Just go over everything! For muscle anatomy go over Histo, muscles origins inserts. and action, muscle names and any other info you can get your hands on. Just go over it and over it and over it as many times as you can until all you think about is anatomy.

Good luck!

Thank you! I seem to be doing better this time around. I'm definitely more dedicated and actually making an effort to do well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I recommend the A&P coloring book for memorization purposes. If you're a kinesthetic learner like me. Also, definitely take the time every day to go over the material. If the teacher allows, record the lecture on your phone and listen to it in the car or while you're just sitting around or exercising or whatever it is you like to do. :)

Don't psych yourself out about your old professor, at the end of the day, he/she wants you guys to really KNOW the material. Good luck! And remember, you get out what you put in.

A lot of my classmates are using the coloring book, I'll definitely try it. Today is day 2 with my old professor and he isn't too bad just very detailed but seeing as it's a 6 week course he's toned it down and cut the material more than he had previously.

Thanks!

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Same thing happened to me in undergrad. I was in a ton of classes: A&P, A&P Lab, English, Statistics, Sociology and 2 electives and it was my 1st semester in college! I was crazy. I guess I took for granted how different college was going to be from high school. I ended up dropping my A&P course and got a W on my transcript. I was also working as well. It was a lot on my plate. I changed my study habits by bringing in a recorder to lecture (not all courses you can). I honestly do not remember reading a ton, but that was 8 years ago lol. My professor created an A&P minimized book that students could purchase at the bookstore, which was great! I highlighted important points in my book. It honestly is a lot of memorization. I retook that class in the Spring and got an A. And I kid you not, I took that along with Chemistry and lab, English II, History and Spanish..while working. So, it's possible - just have to be dedicated. I still got into nursing school first time applying. Did I retain all of that information for Nursing school or even as a nurse now? No way, but the basics do come with time. Good Luck!

thanks for the advice! It's been difficult learning the systems in 4 days (we have an exam every Friday) but surprisingly it's doable. I'm having a little trouble right now with the nervous system, the second professor took over this week also. But I'm going in early and staying after class to really master the models. It's not easy but I'm giving it my best.

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