A & P I - Freaking Out!!

Cilantrophobe · May 14, 2009

OK, tell me the main things you covered that are included on your outline. And, do you have a textbook for the class, because you should read the chapters you covered in addition to the outline he gave you. I don't trust the outlines that teachers give me and I rarely use them because all they have ever been (for me anyway) is just a list of concepts covered. I always had to go back over every detail about each concept anyways. I also don't trust when a teacher tells me what won't be on a test. If we covered it, I make sure I know it. If my teacher tells me 2+2=4 but that we don't need to know that, I still make sure I know it. Because you never know...why else would they have taught you that information in the first place if you didn't need to know it?

mmgirlsmom · May 14, 2009

It is our first test so we are doing two chapters. Chapter 1 basically includes the major themes of a&P, which for the most part I get. The other chapter has alot more information. It covers things like Features of tissues, all the epithelial tissues, connective etc. It is a good out line. Gives us the type and then list description and what organs they are found in. I am going to do what you said and read the both chapters which will reiterate what I have already studied.

I have never been this worried about anything in school so far. My main concern is that I am 38 years old and wanted to start the nursing program in 2010 which puts me at 42 when I graduate. If I do not do well in this first class I will retake but that will just put me further behind. I am trying to tell myself that I am studying as much as possible and now I will go home and also read the chapters. I am just really hard on myself. Have done so much better than I expected of myself, I have a 3.5 which to some might not seem like much but to me and my grades in high school I am very proud of myself and have worked very hard. I only attend school part time (weekend and evening college) work full time and have two daughers 10 and 13. My job is very low stress and I am able to get some studying done while at work. I just want to do well.

WILLBEANRN · May 14, 2009

Hi,

I'm 37 and will HOPEFULLY be starting the program in Jan 2010, also. I got through A & P I with an A. I just now started II. I had a problem with things sticking also. It really helped me to make flashcards. That is key for me. Not with everything, but I do make them for alot of the info.

I hope this helps you.

Michele

Cilantrophobe · May 14, 2009

The biggest thing with A&P and nursing in general is knowing what you need to know and what you don't need to know. I am sure you will feel much better after your test, because it will reveal whether or not you have been studying the right information or if you have been studying properly or not. Just remember that the stuff you need to know is not common knowledge stuff, so don't study that the stomach is connected to the small intestine. Study how they interact, and so on and so forth. I am not joking, some people study the craziest crap. Try not to memorize so much as fully understand how the body works, and how systems work and interact with one another. That is why I had to actually read the A&P book. You have to have a real understanding of everything. Because if you don't ever actually understand each system, you are bound to have problems. You need to be able to explain to yourself without looking at the book how things work. I practiced by teaching my husband. What a sweetheart, he actually acted interested!

You will be just fine, keep us updated.

sparky99 · May 14, 2009

I just finished A&P 1&2 with an A, with a 40-ish brain, so I can relate! Both teachers used Power Point outlines a lot but what I had to do to get the material to stick with me was to rewrite the info from the outlines using complete sentences and paragraphs. Don't ask me why that worked but it seemed to :) I also made a lot of poster size drawings of body systems and tables of related material (hormones, gas laws, whatnot) and hung them on the walls in our back hallway where I had to see them many times a day.

I guess my main point is be aware of the learning methods that work particularly well for you and use them but be willing to experiment a little too. Good luck and be kind to yourself! I didn't start feeling like anything like confidence until I was halfway through A&P 2.

KBC123 · May 15, 2009

My advice to you is to just read over that information as many times as possible. Also, you actually need to UNDERSTAND it, not just memorize it. So many people can just memorize things but when you actually know what you're memorizing, it sticks alot better. However, API is just alot of memorization anyways. I got to the point where I could picture my notes in my head while trying to go to sleep. Having a photographic memory sure helps! You'll do fine. If your teacher says he only tests over his notes then his test are probably not all that difficult. My API teacher said the same thing and I ended up with a 99% in the class.

mmgirlsmom · May 15, 2009

Thank you all for your responses. I certianly agree and WANT to know how it works not just memorizing. I remember thinking that. Everyone kept saying it is just memorization but I am like, I want to know how/why it works. I will continue to study, I have come up with a little something that I think will help me. I will also read the chapters which can only help. My test is Sunday may not know for 2 weeks if I passed b/c it is an EOW class. I am trying to tell myself that I will try my best and if for some reason I do not do well on this tell that I will just have to do that much better on all of the rest.

Thanks again, I will let you know how I do (crosses fingers)!!

medsurgtrenchesRN · May 15, 2009

Ok, so I am 36 and I finished A&P I and II already. I got A's, but I have to agree that the key to doing well in that class is to discern what you need to know and what you don't need to know. Go to the study labs if there are any and ask lots of questions. I had a highlighting system for my book, and I tabbed my book according to topic so I could go back and review if they were referring to something later on. Study groups are only good if you study with other people that spend time outside the group studying. The physiology was the part I had to spend the most time on. Anatomy is more memorizing in the lab. You will do fine as long as you study hard and consistently. And A&P II was SO much more interesting to me than A&P I, I definitely think it does get better. At my school that was where we covered the respiratory, digestive, and immune systems. Good luck!

mmgirlsmom · May 18, 2009

Well, I took my first test. I didn't do as well as I would have liked but I didn't flunk. I got a C but I am not going to let it get me down. Although I thought I studied enough, I know realize that I will have to study more. I am hoping that if I do well on the remaining test that I can at least finish with an B.

rholman · May 18, 2009

Hey,

As a lot of people already suggested ALWAYS read the chapters. Here is my strategy, I read the entire chapter before class and take notes of my own. Then during lecture I add whatever the professor covers in his presentation, if I don't already have it... most of the time I have 90% of what he talks about. Study my notes, and before a test I re-read all the chapters to cover any information I don't understand. As mentioned already the first test will give you a good idea how to study for the class. So far I have received A's with the exception of 1 math class but that's another story.

It has been my experience that most of the detailed information on the test was briefly highlighted during lecture if at all. There is so much material to cover, the professor assumes you are reading the text for completed information, even if they don't say it. My current Biology teacher doesn't use any type of presentation during lecture, she just talks. I don't trust her lectures, so I will use my strategy and hope it works the same for this class. My first BIO lab quiz today, lecture quiz on Wed, and Med Term quiz on Thursday. Bring'em on!

I am sure you'll do fine. Apply yourself and don't take short cuts. If a CD comes with the text, USE IT. Do all of the practice test and exercises.

Good Luck

mmgirlsmom · May 18, 2009

Thank you for the encouragement. My professor does give an outline but I think I have decided that instead of trying to study from "his" outline (which I did the first time) I might be better off coming up with my own using index cards as his had way too much information kind of all flowing together. I did read the chapters but waited until the night before which wasn't the best decision. I know now that I will have to just study more. Good idea about practice test. Our book does have a website and I do plan on doing those going forward.

Good luck to you in Biology! We didn't have to take Biology, might have helped if we did. LOL