ok so I've started my fast paced (8 week) A&P 1 course - with no background in chemistry or biology. We're using Marieb's book and the first chapter was very understandable to me, but chapter 3 is SUPER confusing. I don't know anything about cells, and it's really going over my head. I have GOT to do well in this course, and would love any advice, links, anything really that would help me master or even begin to understand this chapter. Looking through the book it doesn't appear to be as bad (for me) as this chapter. I've never been good with cells. Our test is this Friday and I would really love any help you can offer me - somehow, someway I've got to figure this out before Friday.
We are also testing on chapter 1 the same day, but like I mentioned I get that chapter. I loved lab, and feel I'll do well on the lab quiz for chapter 1 as well.
I also had the Meriab A&P book for 1 and 2. I agree with the other poster to take full advantage of the myaandp.com website. THAT was the biggest factor in my passing this class. Also...did your book come with a DVD called Interactive Physiology 10 system suite? If not you can get it through amazon for like $10. I had never taken chemistry and had not taken biology since high school (I'm 50 so that tells you how long ago that was) I passed the class with a very high A. Also are you able to record the profs lectures? Check to see if your school has a site that maybe one of the profs recorded lectures to go along with the powerpoints..(if yours uses powerpoints. Ours does and I used those for both A&P 1 & 2. Make sure you understand the objectives that are at the end of each section and I always answered the questions at the end of each chapter.
Good luck!! You CAN do this! Study every day.... and the reading..re-reading will really help.
I also had the Meriab A&P book for 1 and 2. I agree with the other poster to take full advantage of the myaandp.com website. THAT was the biggest factor in my passing this class. Also...did your book come with a DVD called Interactive Physiology 10 system suite? If not you can get it through amazon for like $10. I had never taken chemistry and had not taken biology since high school (I'm 50 so that tells you how long ago that was) I passed the class with a very high A. Also are you able to record the profs lectures? Check to see if your school has a site that maybe one of the profs recorded lectures to go along with the powerpoints..(if yours uses powerpoints. Ours does and I used those for both A&P 1 & 2. Make sure you understand the objectives that are at the end of each section and I always answered the questions at the end of each chapter.
Good luck!! You CAN do this! Study every day.... and the reading..re-reading will really help.
Thank you SOOO much for the encouragement! I NEED it!
I have been on the myaandp website all morning learning about cell transport, and I'm at least getting that. I knew nothing this morning, so I'm thrilled. Yes, I did get the DVD, but I haven't looked at it yet - I will do that right away!
I have a voice recorder coming in the mail this Tuesday - so likely I will not be able to record the lecture tomorrow which will be on the cells, but it may snow - and school is expected to be cancelled.
At least it's coming and I'll have it soon!
Thank you all so very much - I cried on my way home the other day after only the 2nd lecture. I came home and ordered the voice recorder, and that made me feel SO much better.
I plan to study A LOT - and just hope I'll be reporting my awesome grade here in about 2 months. :)
I'm no feeling very confident right now, but I've just got to keep pushing forward!
Hi there...are you having trouble with "the life cycle of a cell" or with "cellular metabolism"? (in my book they were 2 seperate chapters). I took both A&P1 and 2 and can spit out anything EXCEPT cellular metabolism...It gave me the blues!! I did use the cuecard and a tutor that was available to us (she was a nursing grad) and they really helped me enough for the test...thankfully!! imo i think that "cell metab" was the hardest part of the A&P's and I passed 1w/ a B and 2 w/ an A...gd luck!!!
ski8ing....good luck with A & P....i am starting it this semester (24th)....tho i do have very little background in the "sciences"..(i am a LPN)..i am nervous as heck about this class....i did start it in the summer and was doing well in it....but had to withdraw due to traveling for my husbands campaign...it was a 5 wk session,didnt have the time to put in for such an intense class.....
like you...cells get me...or should i say...i dont get them....that is the part i am dreading!!
that is so cool they split it like that this time of year....our short sessions are only in the summer....if all goes well,i will be taking A P 2 in the summer...
Hi there...are you having trouble with "the life cycle of a cell" or with "cellular metabolism"? (in my book they were 2 seperate chapters). I took both A&P1 and 2 and can spit out anything EXCEPT cellular metabolism...It gave me the blues!! I did use the cuecard and a tutor that was available to us (she was a nursing grad) and they really helped me enough for the test...thankfully!! imo i think that "cell metab" was the hardest part of the A&P's and I passed 1w/ a B and 2 w/ an A...gd luck!!!
Well I'm having trouble with anthing dealing with the cell. I just don't get it!
Anything that helped you - or any tips for remembering anything would help me!
Basically it looks like I need to know:
Transcription and Translation
Trasnport Mechanisms (active and non-active) --- this is the only one that is beginning to make sense to me
cellular structures and their function - this looks like the big one to me .. knowing what each part of the cell does.
I need to be able to diagram, label, and describe the function of each structure. YIKES!
I also see that I need to COMPARE and CONRAST
1) neuron and sperm cell
2) red blood cell and skeletal muscle fiber
3) pancreatic B-cell and interstitial cell of the testis
I need to:
Diagram and explain the events of teh cell cycle
Describe how the organelles of a salivary gland cell work together to synthesize and secrete the enzyme amylase
Then finally I need to construct a concept map for the following set of terms (this will be first concept map, I've never done one)
RL Tinker "a background in biology isn't necessary nor would it be helpful for most of the class."
Probably true, especially since one gets a lot of biology info in life, without taking a class in it. I probably wouldn't have said what I did if it were only biology. The way my prof taught phsyiology, it would have been very hard to do the cell, metabolism, and nervous systems without having studied chem previously. In the other systems, not so much. Or if one has a particularily strong biology background, one gets some chemistry that way, probably enough. Or if it were a standard length class, where there was more time to learn as you go.
I'm not trying to be a wet blanket, I do realize how wrenching it can be to realize schooling will take longer than you think it will. I've been feeling it myself, these last few weeks. I am ready to switch from part time to full time and planned be ready by next year... until I realized that the school accepts P/F and Cr/noCr classes but the program does not. I have an extra 13 credits to take because my CLEPs are P/F. Even if I were willing to take 18 credits per term, I can't get all the classes in because too many of them have only one section per term... at the same time. Since the best case scenario misses the once-per-year deadline by a few credits, I will have to wait a whole year. I've also attempted more than I could do, even knowing/feeling I had to do it. If it is going to take the extra year anyway (or whatever), it is better to not add a bad grade to that. I gave that advice because if I were in the OP's shoes, I'd rather have people give me their best assessment even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear... I'd rather have little confidence than false confidence.
first read the chapter and make your own notes. answer the questions to the objective for the chapter. depending on how many chapters are on the test, mostly there won’t be that many question on one chapter (cell), more questions on tissues (you see what i am saying). most likely going to test on things that are new. do the practice question online (text book online student resources). don’t just relay on the powerpoint’s. instructors give that as the outline, similar to ones at end of the chapter. watch videos if you are a visual learner (i am and it helps to just watch how everything actually work rather than reading about it). lastly check this thread https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/clinical-pocket-guide-520791.html it has great resources for anatomy. don’t just relay on these, use them as an example. only you know how you learn best and use that to your advantage. good luck!!!
I thought of another thing that might help... the 80/20 rule.
People get 80% of the benefits from 20% of the cost (in time or effort as much as money). So, if your first test is over the first five chapters, don't forget to spend at least 20% of your time on the four chapters that you find easier.
Likewise, spend at least 20% on memorizing the organelle/function chart if that is what is much easier than diagramming the function.
Hey there! :) Glad to hear that you are starting to grasp a few of the concepts that you were struggling with.
I wanted to add a few more tidbits to help you.
* When you study - break it down into sections as much as you can - like translation/transcription etc. That way you can focus/concentrate on the concept. I helped the other girls (and myself) understand it by using props and by verbalizing the processes step by step. I like and agree with saysfaa's 80%/20%. Personally, I found that my perfectionism and my desire to ace the class got the best of me. Relax, pay attention to the professors cues - ask if your not sure, and study (tons).
* Check into resources that your college may have available. Not sure what your college has to offer...but check with the biology department and see if they have a tutors (fellow/former students), study labs, media, etc. - anything that can help you along.
* And last but not least - don't forget to stop and give yourself a mental break. Know when you need to stop and when to push forward. Set realistic goals and stick to them. When your brain shuts down - listen to it. There were many nights after putting my kids to bed that I would force myself to stay up and study. I found that when I pushed too hard, the next day it didn't stick.
I commend you for trying to get it done in such a short term. I too am on the "getter done" ASAP track. Just remember: Stay the course, study hard, and push forward and you will do well. You can do anything that your put your mind to. Think of it as training for actual nursing school! That's how I plan on getting through this semester: A&P II, Chemistry I, Lifespan, and Ethics. Can't wait to hear how you do!! I know it will be great.
Blessings
P.S., not sure if you would like these but I find that I will be holding dear to me these scriptures - especially for the next few years: Phillipians 4:13, Hebrews 12:1, and Jeremiah 29:11.
Thank you all! I'm getting bit and pieces of it. I'm trying to answer the questions on my professor's study guide, and figure out the function of each part of the cell. At least I've learned the parts of the cell :) I know - terrible that I didn't already know this! I guess I am visual (just now learning this) because everything I've had so far that has been a diagram has been very easy for me.
I'm also REALLY good with acronyms....so I'm hoping I'll be able to find more of those.
Is there a list on here anywhere with acronyms for A&P?
P.S., not sure if you would like these but I find that I will be holding dear to me these scriptures - especially for the next few years: Phillipians 4:13, Hebrews 12:1, and Jeremiah 29:11.
I'll think i'll put these on the front of my notebook!!! :)
One thing that is wonderful about my professor is that she has TA's - former students who volunteer as teaching assistants. They are with us in lab, and will also help us form a study group...and study with us. I am definitely going to take advantage of that!
)
That's how I plan on getting through this semester: A&P II, Chemistry I, Lifespan, and Ethics. Can't wait to hear how you do!! I know it will be great.
FLDoula
230 Posts
I also had the Meriab A&P book for 1 and 2. I agree with the other poster to take full advantage of the myaandp.com website. THAT was the biggest factor in my passing this class. Also...did your book come with a DVD called Interactive Physiology 10 system suite? If not you can get it through amazon for like $10. I had never taken chemistry and had not taken biology since high school (I'm 50 so that tells you how long ago that was) I passed the class with a very high A. Also are you able to record the profs lectures? Check to see if your school has a site that maybe one of the profs recorded lectures to go along with the powerpoints..(if yours uses powerpoints. Ours does and I used those for both A&P 1 & 2. Make sure you understand the objectives that are at the end of each section and I always answered the questions at the end of each chapter.
Good luck!! You CAN do this! Study every day.... and the reading..re-reading will really help.