A&P in 8 wks - how did you do it?

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I will start A&P 1 in January, it will last 8 weeks. Then I will start A&P 2 immediately after and complete it in 8 weeks. I have not taken any biology or chemistry classes in preparation, and I am a bit nervous. I believe I am the most nervous about covering 2 chapters a week, 8 weeks does not seem like enough time to take this class, but my college has no other option.

So for those of you who have taken A&P in such a short time can you give me some tips?

Any ideas on how to stay on top of things, and how to cram in so much info in a short amount of time -- really anything would be helpful at this point!!!

Thanks!!!

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Even knowing others have done well in this class in a short period of time will help me feel better at this point! :)

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It is possible I did both A&P & A&P II during the summer at Keiser University and each class was 4 weeks 5 days a week from 6:30pm-10pm. It was the longest 8 weeks ever and very stressful. I had no life for those few weeks because I was just studying every chance I got but in the end I made in through I managed to get an A in both classes. You will have 8 weeks for each class so your experience will be a bit different from mine but it is possible. So hang in there and good luck

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I'm holding a 97 average in A&P as of now, here is what has helped me:

1) start preparing now, go to the A&P help sticky thread, print out the notes and review them, doing a chapter every week or so, you should be able to review it all by the time the class starts, this helped me tremendously, just already having the info in my head

2) get an A&P for dummies book and/or flash cards, again start reviewing them NOW.

3) If you can get the text now and again start reading the chapters, learning the terms, etc

4) research your prof if possible, my teacher had a website and I knew several people who had him, learn how they teach, how the test so you know what you'll be in for, mine loves essay tests and learning this before hand helped me study in a way where I knew I couldnt just memorize but I had to know the theories

5) Once in the class, review your notes daily, even if only for 20 minutes, cramming never works.

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Specializes in CNA (Stroke, Neuro, LTC), Volunteer.

You'll have no life. I took it over the summer and it was an 8 week course and it was my entire life. Hopefully you won't have any other classes, because it will consume 99% of your time. Review things everyday, don't skip days on your studying you may get burnt out but just a few minutes looking over your notes or reading will be a complete lifesaver. Study groups will be your best friend. I didn't like flashcards, but some people really like them and do good with them. The most important thing my professor told me was: "even though in lecture I may cover lots of information and you may hear lots of things, when studying always start small. Learn the very basics, then once you get the basics down add a little more detail and so on and so forth until you know it all."

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I took A & P II in a five week course, and I made an A. I would suggest getting ahold of the textbook and start reading now. Always stay ahead in reading and go to class with the chapter already read for that lecture.

Make flashcards with keywords and concepts to study for the exam. Review your notes after every class! And don't cram for exams - study a little bit at a time.

It's very possible to make an A in a fast-paced science course; you just need to put in the time and effort. Good luck!

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I agree with others. Do what you can to prep ahead of time. I got an A for lecture and B for lab in A&P II in the summer semester. It was intense and if I had it to do all over again, I probably would not do it in the short semester. Its doable, but I hate feeling so rushed and feeling like I'm in a panic. I have no doubt I would have pulled an A for lab too if I had taken it in the regular semester. But its water under the bridge, I'm in the program and thats all that matters. Good luck!

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OK, is it alright to tell you all I love you!!!!!!! :) Seriously just listening to you all say "I've done it, it can be done, I made an A" -- really it just gives me hope.

I do not have a job out of the home, but I do have 5 children -- only 1 old enough to help, but he will take on a few more chores -- he is about to turn 18, so that should not be a problem.

Also, I didn't look through the A&P sticky -- well I did over a year ago, but I didn't realize there were notes in there. I will print those out at school tomorrow!

One thing I did find online - the teacher's schedule for both classes this semester. So I sort of have an idea which chapters are each week, and when a test is -- basically every week.

The other bonus I found were the answers for her A&P 1 tests. Now, I know she will not have the same tests for next semester, but I can imagine this will help me study.

Unfortunately I cannot buy my book until I get my financial aid a few days before class, but I can get the book from the library. It is like the 6th edition, and we are using the 8th, but still -- I think it might help. I am going to plan to get that in December when I have no school, and I'll have a whole month to read it before I start.

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I plan to purchase flashcards from Amazon -- do you have any favorites?

I thought about getting the Netter's flashcards, and also the Kaplan flashcards.

Any thoughts on those or others?

Thanks!!!

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You can also check out some videos on youtube

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Go to chegg.com and rent the flashcards or book!!! WAY WAY WAY WAY CHEAPER!!!!!!!!!

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I love You Tube, but what topics of videos would be useful now? I'm thinking since I have no background in biology or chemistry classes - something in the first 3 chapters might be useful, but what?!

Thanks!

Traci

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