A&P and Microbiology concurrently?

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Specializes in Ortho-Neuro.

I just had my first class of Anatomy & Physiology 1 this morning. The class looks to be challenging, but not impossible. I felt confident until the professor said that we should not attempt to take either A&P along with Microbiology because both are back-loaded courses, meaning that the most difficult material will be at the end of the class. I am very nervous now because I planned to take Micro and Human Development along side A&P1 this semester.

I have a fairly strong background in biology, I took the Biology CLEP test to test out of the biology prereq. and scored very high, and I have a prior degree in Anthropology and took Physical Anthropology which gives me a leg up on bones and a little bit of other anatomy terminology.

However, I'm coming at this after almost 12 years of being out of school. I have 2 kids now. I'm not attempting to work while attending school, at least not at first, but I am considering it for later if money gets very tight. My husband has a great job and makes enough for me to go back to school as long as we are careful.

I am eager to get through school (again) quickly and start working. I just don't want to mess this up. It would be more expensive to drag out the classes another year (there are only certain times of the year I can apply to nursing school), but if I get low grades then it would certainly be even more expensive to retake the courses. I'm in a fairly competitive area, so getting As on all 5 of the prerequisites to the nursing program is essential.

There apparently is one person who made it into this nursing program and had taken A&P 1, A&P 2, and Micro all in the same semester. I know other people have done this, but I have no idea if their experiences are typical or if they are just brilliant.

So is this realistically feasible to take these two classes at once? Am I being overly optimistic in thinking that I can do it concurrently?

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I couldn't. I did well in both classes because I spent at least 2 hrs per day working on it. I don't know if you can.

My school wouldn't allow you to take them at same time.

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I took micro and A&P 2 the same semester and I thought it was fine. I also worked full time. They were both hybrid classes and they only met once a week on different days so I never had two exams in one day. I definitely thought it was doable.

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I feel your fear about those classes. This semester I'm taking A and P 2 and Micro. the first thing I am doing is taking both of those classes syllabus and write the key dates(tests,quizzes) on a calender that way I can manage my time. I am also going to look for study buddies and have group study sessions. I'm 32, so I look for students near or older than my age. I am also dedicating time after my classes to complete homework or study. With A and P 1, I had a study group, I bought the coloring book, I bought the flash cards, heck I even bought an anatomy shower curtain with two skeletons on it. Learning the different bones of the skeleton, did make memorizing muscles easier, since the muscles are named for function and location.( along with shape, size) I think it's possible, you can do it, just stay on top of studying. If u get discourage, remind yourself of ur prior accomplishment of getting a degree and ur desire of becoming a nurse.

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I wouldn't take them together if I had the choice. However, there was a guy in my chemistry class who was taking A&P, micro and chem all together :o He had a good bio background and got A's in all 3 (while working full time). Know yourself and you will be fine!

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I did AP1, micro, nutrition, and human growth and development last semester. I am coming into science classes after more than 8 years of teaching. And I also have 2 kids! It was a ton of work but it was really fine! I looked at my classes as a full time job, and whenever my kids were in school/daycare I was studying. I ended up with "A's" in all my classes, but I worked very hard. Mirco was by far the hardest class for me. For my final in micro I studied for over 17 hours (over 2 weeks).

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I was told that as well, and not do AP 2 or Micro during the summer short sessions. I took AP 1 last semester and eeked out a low 90's grade, mostly because of my last 2 exams and final. Scored well on the first exam and thought this will be a breeze, however the professor warned any that scored well not to get a big head as it will get worse. It did for exam 2 and 3 (talking 82 and 85 for exam grades). Really it depends on your professors in each class and your ability with time management

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Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.
So is this realistically feasible to take these two classes at once?
Of course. Students do it all the time.
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Students can and have done it. I encourage you to think honestly with yourself about what you can handle. If time and wanting to get pre-reqs done quickly is a concern of yours I would explore waiting to take micro with AP2 as that combination seems to work out well and is a more popular combo for students willing to put a good amount of time into it, I know for me the combination was manageable but with 2 kids and a job it meant a lot of late nights. Whatever you decide dont attack the semester with question or doubt. If you think you can do it then believe it and get it done!! Dont spend the next weeks thinking you made an awful mistake. Think positive! í ½í¸€ Good luck!

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I know several students who are taking A&P 2 and micro together. It's possible, but you need to know yourself. It sounds like from your description you have experiencing taking hard science classes - were you able to do well in these? If so, and if you put the time in, I would bet you can take all the classes you're in.

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Right now I'm taking pathophysiology, pharmacology, med surg, (non calculus) physics, and women's issues. I'm not better than you because I'm taking all this!! Rather my point is that when you get into the nursing program, you'll be taking heavy loaded classes together.

I would take micro with A&P to prepare for what's ahead...I think this is why so many people struggle in nursing classes too. These teachers say "don't take more than 2 science classes together!" I mean why do they do that? It doesn't help future nursing students. I piled on my classes from the start because well first I didn't get into the nursing program right away so I was taking bio major course and then anyway I just piled them on. I think it's helped me prepare for the crazy schedule I have now.

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Right now I'm taking pathophysiology, pharmacology, med surg, (non calculus) physics, and women's issues. I'm not better than you because I'm taking all this!! Rather my point is that when you get into the nursing program, you'll be taking heavy loaded classes together.

I would take micro with A&P to prepare for what's ahead...I think this is why so many people struggle in nursing classes too. These teachers say "don't take more than 2 science classes together!" I mean why do they do that? It doesn't help future nursing students. I piled on my classes from the start because well first I didn't get into the nursing program right away so I was taking bio major course and then anyway I just piled them on. I think it's helped me prepare for the crazy schedule I have now.

This is actually a really good idea- if you can handle it and still get good grades! My nursing instructor lator told me that one of the things that really made an impression on her during my interview for nursing school was when I said I purposely took a heavy course load during pre-reqs was so that I could build good study skills and time management for nursing school :)

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