A&P II and Microbiology...At The Same Time! (oh my)

aspiringrn1987 · Dec 1, 2013

I have a 2 year old and a 4 year old, I work 40 hours a week and I took A/P 1, Micro, and Intermediate Algebra this semester. I am in the high B, low A range and the semester is almost over. I expect an A in both science and a B in math probably. Without kids and full time work, you can do it for sure.

__patiently_waiting · Dec 1, 2013

I am and I'm terrified. I love science as well but my A&P professor is terrible. I wanted the professor I have now but unfortunately they have her teaching A&P II during the summer. I'm taking those two classes both with labs along with Psychology and a physical education class. It's either take those two together or wait another semester before applying. Oh yeah, and on top of all that I WILL be working. This will be my first time working during the semester so I'm anxious to see how it will all work out--Bad A&P professor, 2 sciences w/ labs, and working .. hm this should be interesting. lol. Luckily the current semester will be the last set of grades that will be added onto my transcript before I apply to NS--BUT, I still think I will manage to pull straight A's.

Lexicon · Dec 1, 2013

We don't have A&P at my school-- we have them as their own separate classes and I am currently taking anatomy with lab, micro with lab, developmental psych, vocal pedagogy, and my senior portfolio (14 credits) and I work very part time. With that being said, I have a high A in anatomy, an A in psych, should get an A on my portfolio, am unsure what the grades are in my pedagogy class because she doesn't post grades, and am super close to getting a B in micro, and that's all I wanted so there's a ton of pressure on this test coming up this week. x.x I know this is nothing to complain about because nursing school will be much harder, but 4 tests in a week :\ (I'm not used to this as a music major).. I'm just overwhelmed and super nervous. I graduate in 13 days and I'm so stressed about micro because if I don't get a good enough grade on this last test I will be not be considered a candidate for the nursing program I want to get into because you have to get a B. :x

But to answer your question, if that's all you're taking, you should be able to get an A in both of those no problem. :)

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Dec 1, 2013

I am doing it now. I've done well in both all semester and now it's crunch time and I'm finding it a bit overwhelming. I am taking both A&P II and micro and 3 other classes. I am so ready for this semester to be over.

RHill9919 · Dec 1, 2013

I did A&P II, Micro, and Dev Psych this semester. One week left. It has been a hell of a semester, extremely intense, and it's almost over. I don't work or have kids. If I did either of those, I do not think I would have been able to handle it.

ixchel · Dec 1, 2013

I took them together, plus 2 other classes. I have 2 kids, and it was their first year in elementary school full time. I got straight As that semester, but it required a great deal of effort on my part. Also, some info will overlap depending on how your classes are divided. We covered the lymphatic system around the same time we talked about defenses against pathogens in micro. Use chapter objectives to study. I created 20-30 page study guides from the objectives and it really worked for me. To be honest, it was creating the study guides that made me learn and remember. I'd create them, and maybe only read them over again once before the exam. But again, it worked! For the life of me, I can't remember what classes I took with a&p and micro, but they were busy work classes - not hard or time consuming at all.

Good luck to you!

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2013

Good day:

This spring semester 2014, I'll be taking A&P II, Microbiology, Life Cycle Development, and Nutrition for a total of 14 credits. From what I've been told, if you are strong in the sciences, while it will be hard, it can be done. If it was just A&P II and Microbiology, still hard, but very doable. You can do it.

ixchel do you have any advice for how to create your own study guides?

Thank you.

dee789 · Dec 1, 2013

I am taking both of these classes in the spring while working full time. I did A&P I and Chem this semester so I think I can do it! It will be a lot though.

INN_777, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2013

Without work - absolutely you can do it! There are actually some topics that cross over, so it will be a good combo. Good luck!

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 1, 2013

I took Physiology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Micro Lab, Human Growth & Development and Intro to Health Professions (17 credits) in one semester and still maintained a 4.0 GPA. It is definitely doable but you have to stay organized!

Best thing you can do is get yourself a large planner. When you get the syllabus for each class, fill in the dates of all your tests & quizzes. Then assign a color to tests & quizzes and highlight them in that color on your planner. Next, fill in the due dates for any special projects. Pick another color for those. Next, fill in all homework due dates and highlight with yet another color.

Once you completed this you can now easily see all upcoming, important work. Now, in the blank spaces in between, allot your time for studying and working on projects and homework assignments. Be sure to schedule plenty of sanity breaks along the way :)

Once you've got your time organized, you'll find it's not so overwhelming.

Best of luck to you!

ixchel · Dec 1, 2013

Good day: This spring semester 2014 I'll be taking A&P II, Microbiology, Life Cycle Development, and Nutrition for a total of 14 credits. From what I've been told, if you are strong in the sciences, while it will be hard, it can be done. If it was just A&P II and Microbiology, still hard, but very doable. You can do it. ixchel do you have any advice for how to create your own study guides? Thank you.

Oh, do I!!! lol

I love, love, love organizing thoughts and notes.

If you look at the beginning of each chapter, you will see objectives. These objectives will be the key points hit on the exam. Allow these objectives to be what guide your studying.

For both micro and a&p:

Create a word/pages document with each objective listed. Now, if you have a professor that provides power points that you have access to, take the objectives from the chapter, and cut/paste/retype all of the info from the PowerPoints under the objectives that they apply to. If any objective is left empty, go digging in the textbook for the info.

After you do that, read what you have. Does it make sense? Does it need to be more thorough? Use your textbook to fill in the gaps. Add photos when possible/necessary.

For a&p specifically:

Every body system has a rather predictable pattern to help check yourself after creating your study guide. If you can think through the following things, chances are you are okay:

1 - structure: microscopically to macroscopically. Can you name it? Can you recognize it (even in a microscope)? How do the cells differ from cells elsewhere?

2 - function: what does it do? How do the individual parts work? How do they work together? How do the different cell types make this possible? How does it influence other systems?

3 - birth and death: how do the cells/organs begin? How do they end? What makes either possible? How do the dead cells go away?

4 - maintenance: what homeostatic processes are involved with the cells and organs in this system? How about the system as a whole? How is homeostasis regulated? How are damaged cells/organs addressed? Do you need to know what happens when things go wrong? (That last question may not be necessary to know because it is addressed in detail in pathophysiology.)

If you can teach someone else these things (if you have kids, they are awesome for this!), you will do very well on your exams.