OK, today I signed up for A&P 1 and 2 for the spring semester. Each will be an 8 week class, so I'm planning to do a little studying in December to prepare myself. I had another thread and it was suggested I learn bones and muscles as much as I can before the class starts.
I saw somewhere that histology is also difficult?
Any tips? Is it really that hard? I'd really appreciate any tips that will help prepare me so that I'm not completely overwhelmed when class starts.
I've never taken Biology or Chemistry in college (and only biology in highschool 20 yrs ago) -- so I'm looking for all the help I can get to make this class a success.
Well since I'm the original poster I don't have much experience, but I bought the Kaplan cards -- and they seem really good to me. Of course, I have not even started A&P, but after looking over the bones -- they seem really good to me.
I'm just wondering how in the world I'll ever know every bump and indention (for lack of better words) on every single bone in the body in just a few weeks time???? Not to mention, there's a whole set of cards here -- that's only one part of them.
A&P is definitely going to challenge me!
After you see/handle all the bones in real life it will get a lot easier. Don't stress about bones ... start learning muscles !
I am currently taking A&P I now, albeit not in a condensed 8 week format. The Shotgun Histology movies on youtube are definitely a great way to learn the different types of tissues. (Scratch that, they are bloody awesome). Also, an assignment for our lab really helped me in differentiating tissue types. Basically, you do a yes/no question that splits up the tissue types based on visual analysis, and do a tree chart based on those answers (my first question was is the tissue a single layer thick?). After both of those, I was able to nail my first lab practical with tissues.
Good luck with it and if anyone else has any other good ways, let me know! I'm always down for reinforcement!
buy a stack of index cards. or check out flashcardexchange.com and search for already made cards. you can study them online. very helpful. also, i used to make copies of diagrams in my books, white out the answers, then make several "blank" copies and fill them in until I remembered everything.
Good luck! A&P can be difficult, but it's information you'll always use in the rest of your nursing career. It's the base and will never change.
After you see/handle all the bones in real life it will get a lot easier. Don't stress about bones ... start learning muscles !
OK, thanks! I'm just really overwhelmed right now!
I have gathered my flashcards, all my notes, and all the great sites recommended here -- but I can't start studying until my finals are over December 9th.
I will have from December 9th - Jan 5th to study all I can before my A&P classes start.
I'm so overwhelmed I'm not really sure where to start.
I am thinking I can at least watch 1-2 UC Berkeley videos a day -- that way I'll be done with them before classes start.
I have the flashcards, but I'm just so confused with them.
I'm sure it will all come together once class finally starts, but I really hope I can accomplish a lot in those few weeks before class begins.
Sent me an email and I'll send you that tissue chart.
Arghhhh, I want to scream! I should have asked this question earlier, I just finished the lecture exam on joints and muscles, Lab is next week and this and the other sites would have helped me tremendously. You guys are a tremendous help to us rookies and thanks to the OP for asking this question. :)
I didn't read all the other threads on this and I am sorry I am kinda a month late but a great way to learn histology is to draw the different cells. Ex: simple squamous epithelium, looks scaly and is tight together. Thats how I memorized them and when I drew the picture I would write its location, function and whole name above the pic. As for the muscles and bones..get in the lab and get your hands on them. It really does make a difference. I also bought a coloring book for that and it did help too. The skull is hard but you have to move on from it. Repetition is key and you just have to re-read over it and the pics every day/or night. I used to look over the bones then muscles right before bed..even if I studied it all day. Don't freak your self out! You can do it. I think I Aced my first lab test. It really does make a difference if you get in the labs when you are on campus (atleast) to look at the microscopes and bones/muscles and ear, eye and whatever other resources they have available. I always heard it was really beneficial to study with other people but I never did. I am one of those people who has to read/study alone. I did work in a group a couple of times in lab b/c there is such a limited amount of bones and muscles. but I also tried to incorporate mnemonic phrases with some of my bones. I would try to sing it. I think I was only able to do that with the carpel bones. I can't remember it now but I made sure to know it (although I learned them for nothing!! they weren't even on the test!) Just don't forget when you are studying the femur that there are the tuberosities and trochantors. The way I still remember them is by understanding what they are there for. The tuberosities are there to support the muscles to the bones and the trochantors are there to connect. (I could have those backwards..if so sorry) maybe I should stop while I am ahead..lol. but you get the idea. I am a hands on type person and that is what nursing school is like so get used to being as hands on as possible. You will do great!
coast2coast
379 Posts
After you see/handle all the bones in real life it will get a lot easier. Don't stress about bones ... start learning muscles !