A&P II and Microbio at the same time...need advice please!

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I'm signed up to take A&P II and Microbio this summer. Both are 8 week courses and I would be taking Micro + lab Mondays/Wednesdays from 2pm - 7pm and A&P + lab Tuesdays/Thursdays from 5pm - 10 pm. I also work over 30 hours/week and I'm scared...can I do this? :chair: Is there anyone out there who has attempted the same sort of work/course load and succeeded? I certainly don't want to overload myself and sacrifice my chance to make good grades, but I also need to complete these courses before the fall if possible so that I'm a more competitive applicant for nursing school. If it were you, what would you do? Thanks for any advice ya'll can give me!:bowingpur

Hi there,

I worry about you getting the reading done in A&P. I took both courses together last semester and did well but it was over 15 weeks and I'm a stay at home mom. It required constant reading. The A&P chapters can be long and you'll have labs in both classes right? I am not sure I would do this in a condensed 8 week session and work.

Only you know how much you can handle, so if you think you'll be alright, go for it.

I wish you luck

Boat

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Hmmm...I would say go for it *IF* you are okay with having no life in the summer. I would plan on spending most of your free time studying, not missing a single class, etc. I would be one to try it...I mean 8 weeks and you're DONE with both! I would put myself through hell for a couple of months to get it done...but that's just me...I think I enjoy stress or something!

I'm currently taking A&P I, Micro, and Chemistry and it's tough but I'm getting high A's in all of them. I'm taking them very seriously and sacrificing fun and extra time with the family in order to do it.

I think if you go into it with the right mind set you'll be fine! GL!!

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It is possible to do this during a regular semester, but I don't know if I could muster up the courage to take it in the summer only because you are in class longer so it cuts down on your studying time. But, I have heard that for the summer classes teachers are not as hard as the regular semesters, so if this is the case I think it is possible. I would ask people at your college if summer classes are easier than regular semester classes. I don't think you will have much if any play time. Good luck

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A and P and Micro, from what I have heard, are the core courses on which you will rely in Nursing School. You don't want to just have taken them, gotten through, and received credit. You really want to learn this stuff as well as you can before entering NS. My advice, don't do all of this at once!

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I took physio (our A&P are individual classes) and micro at the same time, but during a full semester, only working 1/4 time, but with kids and serious health concerns/crises with my folks. I made As but it was a challenge and time consuming. I could not have done as well in an 8 week course or if I worked much more. Thats just me. I need time to absorb material.

The other consideration is how important getting As will be. In a highly competitive area it can be practically mandatory to get that 4.0 if you want in. I would use summer for nonvital courses or just one bioscience. Only you know what you are capable of. Good luck!

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Specializes in HCA, Physch, WC, Management.

I took A&PI and Micro both this spring. I also work full-time, 40 hours a week or more. It was stressful but I managed to squeak out an A in Micro and a C+ in A&PI. It was a lot of work and I definitely could have done better in A&PI had I had more time to study. Best thing to do is remain as focused as possible and remember that it's ONLY 8 weeks. Social life might have to take a back burner during the summer but if you're serious about your coursework, you can do it. Good luck!

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I took A&P II and micro together, but I wasn't working at all... I found micro took a lot more study time for me, and I was able to brush off a lot of anatomy since it is the second part of the sequence. I managed to come out with an A in both, but I think with working it will be quite a challenge for you. However, I am not saying you wont be able to do it! Good luck!

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Specializes in Wannabe NICU Nurse.
I took A&PI and Micro both this spring. I also work full-time, 40 hours a week or more. It was stressful but I managed to squeak out an A in Micro and a C+ in A&PI. It was a lot of work and I definitely could have done better in A&PI had I had more time to study. Best thing to do is remain as focused as possible and remember that it's ONLY 8 weeks. Social life might have to take a back burner during the summer but if you're serious about your coursework, you can do it. Good luck!

I'm not knocking your C+ in A&P, but by telling her to go for it, considering you didn't make A's in both in a full semester, is kind of unsettling don't ya think? :uhoh21: Once again, I say do not do both in together in the summer. If you don't mind the grades you come out with so be it, but if you are trying to get into a program and are serious about it, take one in the summer and one in the fall, what is the rush exactly? :confused:

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Specializes in med/surg.

I also have signed up for A&PII and Micro in the summer. This will be a 10 week session, both classes at the same time. We usually have 16 week semesters. I was hestitant until I realized a 4yr university here in the area, are on 10 week quarters year round! If the students in their BSN program can take them both classes at the same time, in 10 weeks, and pass, I sure I can also. When nursing school starts in the Fall, I will have everything done, and will only have to take my nursing classes.

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Once again, I say do not do both in together in the summer. If you don't mind the grades you come out with so be it, but if you are trying to get into a program and are serious about it, take one in the summer and one in the fall, what is the rush exactly? :confused:

I need A's...or at least 1 A & 1 B. The only reason I am in a rush is that one of my "top 3" programs starts their admissions process very early (I need to submit my application in August or September of '08 for consideration to start Fall '09). They will take the application without all the prereqs done but you're a much more competitive applicant if all your classes are completed and grades are in. Then again, I would have it completed before I started the program and they would see that from my transcripts. Also, they consider your SAT scores (I got a 1330/1600), previous Bachelor's degree (I have one), and GPA (pretty good - 3.3ish right now for their prereqs...but it would be better if I could add A's for A&P and Micro) so perhaps I'd still be a competitive applicant even without Micro completed.

Since they're really the only one's I'm concerned about getting this class done so quickly for, I think I'll call them today and see if I can get some insight as to how important it is to have this class completed w/ grades in before this fall. Maybe they'll be able to tell me if I'd still stand a chance without it. Thanks to everyone for your insight!

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i can't believe the professor didn't excuse u!! hello? baby!

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Wow!!! May the force be with you!

I also work full time, I had to drop micro twice. Too difficult for me to take with A&P. It was worth not taking together. I rather take the time and get two A's than take together and possibly end up retaking. Summer classes are condensed and you are expected to cram too much material in a short amount of time. Goodluck to you this summer.

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