What was the hardest part for you?

Mama_Cashew, ASN, RN · Apr 16, 2012

For me it was the lecture/physiology part. The anatomy/labs were easy once I learned the proper way to study them.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2012

I'm the opposite of Mama Cashew, I do very well with the tests on the lecture side of the class. Lab exams kill me. I got a B+ in A&P I as a final grade (lab and lecture combine grades to get one final grade, luckily the lecture exams carry more weight for your final grade than the lab exams do). I'm in the tail end of A&P II now and have a high B.

If you are asking what body system..for me it was the urinary system (the kidneys..uhhhh! hate it but I do realize the importance of it). Got my lowest grade on that test.

ixchel · Apr 16, 2012

Learning how to study. I'm excellent at acing tests with very little effort. A&P was the first class I ever had to actually study for. I got a C in A&P 1, and then an A in A&P 2. In 1, it was the memorization. I never did it. In 2, probably the kidneys were the hardest thing for me to remember. Again, it was more to do with the memorization. They were the most complex organ that I knew nothing about going into it.

nguyency77, CNA · Apr 16, 2012

Dealing with my instructor. He is a very brilliant man but he really can't write books. He wrote the textbook we use for our class, and it's filled with typos. The complicated diagrams are printed really small. A lot of the material is explained in a strange order; sometimes terms aren't defined-- they're just bolded. He will literally drone on for a dozen pages about depolarization of the sarcolemma without explaining what happens in depolarization at all. Then his quiz will be all about which ion gates open and close during what point, when it really wasn't explained period. I used a few of the resources that the AN community posted as well as the online text (thankfully not written by my teacher). All I have to do is get a decent grade on the final and I'll have my A. :)

lovetosleep · Apr 16, 2012

Learning the anatomy of the nervous system and all the parts of the brain was the worst for me! The brain was much worse than the nerves.

guest042302019, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2012

What about the physiology? The complexity? The teaching method?

guest042302019, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2012

You are definitely right about the importance. I mean, all systems are important of course. What it remembering all of the transport mechanisms along the nephron? That really gets people. Also, all the associate hormones can be tricky with blood volume control. I think urinary system is great because it really starts incorporating several systems (i.e. cardiovascular, neurological, and endocrine). Thanks for the input. :) And, good luck.

guest042302019, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2012

Learning how to study is a big one. There are sooo many methods and finding your niche' that works in A&P is tough. What worked for you previously doesn't necessarily work in A&P. I see you can relate. I guess repetition is the simplest answer for memorization. One really can't get around it unfortunately. I always found the urinary system to be fascinating.

guest042302019, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2012

You're in a tough situation. I've had an instructor that didn't write the book but he sounds similar to yours. Brilliant mind but can't explain the concepts in a coherent way which loses people. We started with 55 people A&P 1 and left with 20 or so. What resources did you uses aside from the assigned material from the instructor?

Nurse2b7337 · Apr 19, 2012

YouTube is my best friend!!! :) there is a guy on there by the name of Leslie Samuel his channel is Interactive Biology he is the best at explaining things I couldn't get from my professor.

guest042302019, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2012

I'll take a look. I appreciate your feedback. :) I've found some good ones on there as well!