A&P 1 help needed!!

[MsFutureNurse]

I am currently in the RN program. My college is a little different than most. I am taking the 'pre' required classes while also taking the actual nursing classes. I am currently in my first semester of a 2 year ADN program. One of the classes I'm required to take this semster is A&P1 with Lab.

I am struggling with the tests in A&P. This is my first time in college, so obviously its my first anatomy class. The instructor doesn't really prepare us for our tests, and we have tests on each class day we meet. Even when he does 'give' hints on what to study or know for the test its rarely on the test. Its pointless studying notes taken from his lectures.I will spend everyday studying on material I thought the test would include, and always left in a state of shock during & after the test. It was pointless for me to study that week after getting the test score I receive.

I try to ask my peers and the nursing students ahead of me for studying tips, to try to get an indication on what I need to focus on and they always tell me its the current material I am studying. I guess its hard to remember the tests you had before unless you kept all of your notes or they just dont want to help. The instructor doesn't give tests back for us to keep, because apparently the same tests are being used with every new nursing class. I always get the feeling that Im bothering people when I ask for their help. I especially get the feeling Im bothering them after asking for help on facebook and they ignore me.

So as of right now I'm barely passing anatomy & physiology. I currently have an A in lab, which brings my overall grade up to almost an A but you MUST keep at least a C in anatomy in order to average out the a&p with lab grades to get the 'overall' grade.

I'm worried I will drop below the 'required' grade in anatomy and fail the entire course. I never know what the test will have on it because being able to pick out important information from a chapter to study has done nothing for me thus far. Studying the material that the instructor tells us is important to know hasn't prepared me for a test thus far!

it seems no one else is struggling as much as I am. Most of the other students are still getting A's & B's on their tests and they tell me before the test they studied the same material I did. I've even starting thinking they have 'VIP' informational sources that are preparing them for these tests.

I just need advice on how to pass a&p tests. I hate being one of few that's struggling. Call me crazy, but I'm use to instructors that will tell you what to study to prepare you for a test.

[leenak]

Are you reading your book as well?

I find that my book tends to highlight the important points. I go through my book and make notes of the important points, write them down and review my notes.

Are you able to look at your tests after class/office hours? If so, you might want to look at them and see what points you are missing. Also, I'd definitely go to your teacher's office hours and discuss your issue with them.

[guest042302019, BSN, RN]

Definitely, I would agree with above post. Go to your teacher. Tell them there is an issue. See what type of insights they can give you. By going, you clearly want to be successful and therefore, he or she should be willing to help you out.

Maybe hook up with a study group with the people that are doing well. They may be able to help you. Although, study groups tend to be social hours.

If you are passing right now, I wouldn't get this idea in your head about failing and dropping. It will fester and grow bigger, and bigger. You'll get paranoid about it. Lose sleep even! Try to focus in the moment. :)

Also, I would venture to say that there are other people struggling. A&P is tough. Most people have difficulty. There are a select few that do well immediately. The majority have a difficult time. Ask them about it or get a study buddy?

[lumosnox]

I'm in Anatomy and Physiology right now (2 different classes at my school). I find anatomy is pure memorization, I just sit there and lecture it out loud to myself (alone, haha) for hours. My school is huge so we have our own textbooks and our professor has charts in the back with the origin, insertion, action, and innervation of all the muscles. Do you have something like that? Oh, and I bought these flashcards from Amazon and they're AMAZING! If you're having problems studying and have $15, I would definitely recommend them. Amazon.com: Anatomy Flashcards (9781427796943): Stephanie Mccann, Joanne Tillotson: Books