A&P Lecture vs. Lab

shortnorthstudent · Mar 16, 2010

Best of luck on the tests. I don't have any good suggestions on how to study for anatomy if you aren't able to put in the time.

I don't think anyone was "ragging" on you. Several of us simply offered our experience with successfully studying for anatomy and physiology. You've obviously made up your mind on the retreat. Just please be prepared for the fact that anatomy and physiology tests do not necessarily get easier as the course goes on. The first test usually has the least amount of material and it is usually the most general. After that the difficulty of the test will depend on your comfort level with the body systems on that test.

Personally, I found renal the most difficult in physiology and upper limb the most difficult anatomy.

Anne36, LPN · Mar 16, 2010

At my school the Lab exams are really difficult. The entire grade for my class is based off 6 Lecture and 3 Lab exams. I am concentrating more of my study time to the Lecture. I read the chapter 2 times, highlighting important parts, learn all the Notes and diagrams and then work on the powerpoints last. There are still questions on the exam that we dont know, but trying to cover all my bases with the basics keeps me above a 90 so far.

Do you have open lab? We dont , but are allowed to attend the opposite Lab day in our class, so I try to do Lab twice. Your schedule sounds very full, and that makes a big difference.

sserrn, BSN · Mar 16, 2010

How do you balance this? You skip the retreat, which obviously you're not going to do. Or, take your homework with you. I mean, for real--are the homework police going to be there? I made an A in Lecture and Lab of A/P I and currently have an A+ in both Lecture and Lab of A/P II. Wanna know the 'secret' (NOT)? I study like crazy (6-8 h a day) 2-3 days before every exam, depending on how much material it covers. I also go home and recopy the notes I take in class. Oh, and one more thing: your ability to retrieve material you've studied is NOT based on the number of times you're exposed to it; it's based on how many times you RETRIEVE it AFTER you've been exposed to it. Just my two cents.

SingDanceRunLife · Mar 16, 2010

Last semester, I thought the tests were about the same throughout the course. It was actually the ones in the middle that I did the best on. But that's besides the point. My class this semester doesn't test on more than 4 chapters at a time, and most often, it's 3.

I'm not asking how to study...I'm asking how to balance out my time (the time that I have -- and retreat time is not part of that -- and yes, actually, if you are seen doing homework, you will have to put it away, the people running retreat make this very clear) in regards to this particular lecture test and lab practical.

And as I said...I'm taking 5 classes and working part time. I can't devote even 2 hours/day to anatomy!

mangopeach · Mar 16, 2010

You might have to go to bed later or get up earlier to squeeze in an extra hour of studying if your schedule is really hectic. If you take public transportation, read while you are on the train or bus. I swear this is mostly when I study for my other classes. When I'm on the train. A&P takes up most of my time with very little time for my other classes so I try to do most of my reading for those classes on my way to or from class.

sserrn, BSN · Mar 16, 2010

Well, I guess you have Monday - Wednesday of next week to study for the lab practical. I feel for you working PT and taking 5 classes. This semester A/P II is my only'hard' class. Back when 'hard' classes were pretty much all I took, however, I had to prioritize which classes were going to get the most attention, b/c there weren't enough hours in the day.

Is A/P your most important class right now? If you're a nursing major I would guess so. As much as possible, only do what absolutely has to be done in your other classes during this and next week, and devote ALL your free time to studying (yes, I know how much that really sucks).

There's no quick or easy answer to your question; I think you know that. Just study every single minute that's available to you if you want to make a good grade.

SingDanceRunLife · Mar 16, 2010

I've already given up reading for every class but A&P (it's working out okay, though my grade in philosophy would be better if I read more)...and in my life, free time basically doesn't exist. That's how it's been since I was like, 16.

bhanson · Mar 16, 2010

I think you may need to seriously think about whether Nursing is for you.

Try to look at your posts and ask yourself from a 3rd person perspective if you think that person is going to make it.

Thread: How to make A&P reading less boring

So...I know that I need to read the textbook...but it's so dang boring! I'm very much an auditory learner, so unless I'm reading a novel, I have a lot of trouble paying attention.
Reading out loud helps a bit...but I can only read so much of the book out loud because a) I have a roommate so I can't always be talking to myself, b) there aren't always individual study rooms available in the library and c) it's tiring to read so much out loud!
HELP! What do I do? I need to somehow make the reading more interesting so that I actually get it all done.

A&P is the foundation for the rest of your nursing career. In this post you say that you are an auditory learner and reading A&P is boring. Your peers then suggest listening to recordings and lectures to align with your learning style.

You quickly disregard this advice as show below:

Thanks guys.
But...I really need to read my textbook...not listen to other lectures or whatever, or even my own prof's lectures. Lectures don't cover everything...and in order to understand what it in the lecture, reading the book is suggested, especially when the lecture material comes mainly from the book.

But then contradict yourself in the same thread:

My prof does test straight from lecture. She has said on various occasions that if she didn't mention it in lecture, then we won't best tested on it.

All of my health care friends were genuinely interested in A&P when they took it. Most of them said it was their favorite class. Maybe you're not as interested in nursing as you think?

I feel ya. This is my second time taking this class, so you can only imagine how much I hate it! I don't even care as long as I get a C though...

It also looks like these study habits have carried over from your secondary education:

OP:
I applied right from high school...and I got in! But mind you, my GPA was awful (2.97), my ACT was low (23 composite), I had no AP classes on my transcript, no college classes etc...and I got into a class of 45 when there were over 300 applicants. If I could do it, you can too.

Also, concerning your weekend retreat:

Somehow, even though I always put A&P first, my grades in my other classes are all stellar! A's and one B at midterms! I guess that just means that I'll do even better now because I won't have A&P to worry about! I can put more time and effort into other courses, and have an absolutely stellar GPA for the semester.
I'm not a quitter when it comes to school either. The only time I've ever dropped a class was when I was literally failing a math class in high school. I went from honors to regents, and did well in regents!
I know you'll do fine taking algebra over the summer. I took an algebra over the summer, and I hate math, and I ended up with a B!

You bolded the always. These are your words. Always means always and includes now, and most likely includes skipping your retreat. Unless you mean always (except when I want to have fun).

Also, keep in mind that A&P is a weeder course. It's not uncommon for 50% of a class to drop, fail, or withdrawal. Scoring average in this case would be *BARELY* passing, and would literally put you at the very bottom of your class.

So I only got a 64 on my first lecture exam, but with the grade adjustment that's a C, and it's higher than the class average, so it's okay...especially since I didn't study nearly as much as I should have. I'll do better next time.

Also, if you're having trouble "passing" A&PI, much less excelling after taking the class twice, I highly doubt you'll be able to take A&PII during the summer and be okay.

I'm taking A&P II this summer in 5 weeks, 3.5 hours a day, 5 days a week. Lab is included. It'll be intense, but I have to do it.

You need to be realistic.

No way am I skipping the retreat!
As I've stated before, I go to a 4 year college with a direct entry program. As long as you get a C in your pre-reqs in the first year, you move onto nursing in the second...most schools I know of only require a C.
I don't have time to study that much for one class...I'm taking 5, and working part time!
I'm also not aiming for a C. I'm saying that it's acceptable that that's my average after my FIRST test and FIRST practical. I'm aiming for a B so I don't ruin my GPA.
And can we please get back to my question(s):
1) How should I balance my studying for lecture and lab in this situation?
2) Which do you prefer? Lab or lecture?
I'm tired of people ragging on me for what I'm doing (or not doing). It's my class, and it's my life...and doesn't help me answer my question. Please do not reply to this again unless you are going to answer one or both of my questions!

Except this is not your first test. You took this class last semester and still have a C this semester. Since the semester is half-way over, you realize in order to get a B in the class you must maintain A level grades for the rest of the term?

It's simply not a realistic expectation to go from being a "barely C student" to a straight-A student to get your B.

It's also not realistic for you to become a nurse practitioner. No offense, but I'd imagine your chances of becoming an NP are

Well this summer, I won't be doing anything particular because I haven't had any nursing classes yet...so it'll either be a hospital aide, or some sort of aide in a nursing home. My long term goal is to be a pediatric nurse practitioner, but short term, all I want is to work in the medical field in some capacity.

When you're sick and go to see a primary care physician/NP, would you want them treating you knowing they failed anatomy?

I would suggest talking with your counselors and maybe re-evaluating whether nursing is for you.

Early childhood or childhood ed...teaching preschool or kindergarten. I wrestled between doing this and nursing when I was searching for and applying to colleges, and I know I would be good at it.

I understand this post is very harsh, but you've put yourself in an impossible situation with unrealistic goals. If I can open your eyes before you crash-and-burn and fail out of your program, then that to me is worth any criticism I may take.

I challenge you to take this personally and prove me wrong. Hopefully this will push some buttons and light a fire within you to excel. I hope you finish nursing school and go on to become a NP as you dream. I also hope you understand that in order to achieve your goals sacrifices must be made. There is no secret for success, just blood, sweat, and tears.

SingDanceRunLife · Mar 16, 2010

^ If I were allowed to use the word b****, I would to describe you.

1. Yes, I am primarily an auditory learner and my prof tests straight from lecture...but she also says that in order to succeed, we must read the book!

2. I never said I'm not interested in A&P! I'm just not interested in reading it! HUGE DIFFERENCE! My religion class is my favorite class this semester, and I haven't read a thing for it yet! Why? The reading is boring.

3. I have great study habits! Yes, in high school, I didn't apply myself...but if there were issues with my study habits now, I wouldn't have gotten a 3.26 last semester.

4. I do always put A&P first.

5. I'm not having trouble passing. I got a C on both my first lecture exam, and my first practical. As I said about the lecture exam, I didn't do all of the reading for it. And as for practical, I am not a visual learner. Also, the first time I took the class I a) had a professor who refused to teach and b) withdrew because of said professor. So this is all pretty much new to me because we didn't cover even 1/3 of it in my last class.

6. I'll be in fine in A&P II over the summer, and I am being realistic.

7. It was my first test and first practical. Oh, and to get a B...I wouldn't have to make As on everything else because we have only done 1/4 of the lecture exams and 1/3 of lab practicals. If I get a B+ average for the rest of the term, I'll have a B, especially since an 80% is a B.

8. I will become a nurse practitioner!

9. I'm not failing anatomy. I am not going to fail anatomy. And from what I hear, half of what you're expected to know, you won't need to know when you actually practice as a nurse. But in any event, I have spoken to my adviser (last semester when I was thinking about changing my major), and I do really want to be a nurse.

10. I don't care how immature this is but...I'm gonna make it my way...and YOU CAN SUCK IT!

SingDanceRunLife · Mar 16, 2010

And again...

Don't even bother replying to this thread if you aren't going to answer one of my two questions. I don't need people going down my throat saying that I'm not doing things right and that I'm not gonna make it if I don't change yadda yadda yadda. You're all wrong, and it's annoying and absolutely irrelevant.

Anne36, LPN · Mar 16, 2010

Wow, SingDance, you should count yourself lucky that someone went to the time and trouble to provide you with some constructive critisism.

Everyone here is trying to support each other and just wants you to succeed.

If we didnt care , we wouldnt try to prevent you from heading down the wrong path.

Sometimes its hard to hear the truth.

shortnorthstudent · Mar 16, 2010

I believe you have been given a lot of very well intentioned advice. I understand that it was not easy advice to receive, but you did ask. People who have been through what you're in the middle of aren't trying to hurt your feelings. They're trying to help you through. As another poster mentioned, Anatomy and Physiology are classes that weed people out. Success in these classes is one barometer for success in the nursing program at most schools.

I guess my last recommendation would be to get off of message boards and buckle down. It's not always easy to focus, but name calling on here is not going to get you any closer to your goal of doing better on this exam than the last. Nor will it prepare you to act as a professional next year as you mentioned earlier.

If your professor said he tests straight out of lecture, and you don't learn well from books, I would absolutely work off of your notes for this exam. Use the book as a reference, not as a main source of information. For future tests, I would record the lectures if at all possible and listen to them in the car, while eating breakfast and any other chance you have. Both my anatomy and my physiology profs have their lectures recorded in ipod format and I have them on my touch and watch/listen to them any chance I get. I read the book to clarify points I don't understand and to supplement her lectures and my notes. But, I rarely study from my book.

Sure, you likely will not need to know all of the cranial nerves or which foramen through which they exit when you are a nurse. But, in order to be successful in this and future classes you do need to know them and the rest of what you're being taught in Anatomy. Each of the courses you take in your major will be progressively more difficult and they will build off of each other. The better you understand Anatomy, the easier physiology and pathophysiology will be. Knowing these subjects well will help as you move onto clinicals and higher level nursing classes. You won't recall the details, but the better you learn it now, the better your working knowledge will be when you're tossed something new in clinical. You will need to know what acetylcholine is and why Na+ is important and which nerve causes the diaphragm to contract. These systems all interact and what you're learning now will be important - maybe not the details, but the overall knoweldge.