Advice on class overload or just right 4 Fall 2010

StayingCalm, BSN, RN · May 12, 2010

I took anatomy & microbiology during the same semester last year. It was pretty hectic because each class had lecture & lab exams. So I felt like I was constantly preparing for exams every single week. But it was relatively manageable and I barely got an A in both classes. If I were to add stats, psychology, and speech into the same semester, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have gotten A's. I took all five of those classes already and I think if you're aiming for an A in anatomy, you'll need to allocate lots of study time for it. But it you're purely aiming for community college ADN programs that are lottery based, I guess you won't necessarily need to get an A in all those classes.

mangopeach · May 12, 2010

I always take 1 science class per semester. Sure its taken me a bit longer to finish up my pre-reqs, just sent in my application a few days ago, but it was calculated so that I could get the very best grades in every one of them. Anatomy takes up a lot of your time. A LOT. Thats if you want to do well. And especially with 2 kids, I would not take on that load of classes. But each person is different so you have to determine what is best for you. Even at the community college level, its super competitive. I attend a CC, its not lottery based so I made sure I got As. My school also takes Ws into consideration, I know others do so you are better off taking a lighter load from the beginning rather than having to withdraw mid semester after realizing the load is too heavy. But I'm sure others have done well while taking heavy course loads.

I just preferred to be be meticulous and calculated and not rush to finish and end up with mediocre grades.

itsmejuli · May 12, 2010

Here are the courses I am taking this upcoming fall semeter. Please let me know your thoughts... Is it too much?
Monday-Anatomy
Tuesday-Statistics/Speech/Psychology/Microbiology
Wed-Anatomy
Thursday-Statistics/Speech/Microbiology
Friday-Anatomy

I wouldn't take this load of classes together, there's far too much to learn in the 2 science classes and statistics.

To get into most RN programs you need A's in all of your science classes. Both anatomy and microbiology classes will require at least 10 hours of study time outside of class, add on top of that the 4 hours study time each of the labs. Unless you're a math whiz, statistics will also take up a lot of your study time. So between just these 3 classes you're looking at close to 40 hours study time a week. And then what happens if you have an exam in both micro and stats on the same day? I shudder just thinking about it.

Take another look at your pre-req requirements and try to take only one science class at a time.

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · May 12, 2010

This schedule looks a little impossible. Last year I took A&P (the 2nd of 3), micro and one of my psychology classes. A&P always had a lot of reading and homework. The micro class was a little like taking 2 classes as the lab portion had completely different requirements than the lecture portion and different exams. Psych was thankfully easy but also required a ton of reading, some writing and tests that were not straightforward memorization. I got As in all but there were a number of students who did poorly in the science courses.

Are you actually going to be able to get into all these classes? With the job losses in our area, the classes are full and students with priority get in. Do any of these classes have pre-reqs? Our A&P required a cell biology pre-req and intermediate algebra.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · May 12, 2010

I have only known one girl who took A & P and micro together....

she got a C in micro and failed A & P.

Smart girl, but I think she was overloaded. She did not take other classes, but she did have a job as an EMT.

I would only take one of those science classes. There is no way I would recommend taking those two together.

A & P is a LOT of memorization and testing. I took it while I was working full time (no other classes) got a B in the first one.

Micro...as others said, is like taking two classes. The lab portion is a ton of work.

I can't even say i'd recommend taking statistics with A & P.

I would recommend just taking:

A & P

Speech

Psych

I always recommend "fluff" classes only with classes like A & P...and hopefully you get a kick back psych instructor.

Brighten · May 12, 2010

I wouldn't take micro w/ anatomy but that is just me.

Assailants · May 12, 2010

Your tues/thur looks way too loaded. Take one of the easy classes with anatomy.

Mintyfreshness23 · May 12, 2010

Thank you for everyone's response! :) It certainly makes me feel better picking out my classes. I know that each class requires a great deal amount of study time, so it sure makes me feel better hearing it from those who have done it before. My intention is to get through the pre-reqs for the nursing program as soon as I can...and these classes are probably the same as other CC but in the CC I am attending here it is: English, Anatomy, Physio, and Microbiology.

The only prereq I need for any of the classes are bio since I am taking chem during the summer.

I have made slight adjustments to my schedule...thanks to everyone who replied. I am not for sure which classes to take but here are my options...

Anatomy

Microbiology

Statistics

Psychology

Speech

I am eligible to have these classes because of the priority I have...but I do need to make a decision before the 18th of May...so next week.

The majority of the replies were a "no" to micro and anatomy together...so, I will take that advice and just focus on anatomy for now. I still need Biology as a prereq for Physio...but I am thinking of taking that during the winter classes.

So...Anatomy (MWF)

Stat/Speech/eng? (T, Thursday)

Sand_Dollar, BSN · May 13, 2010

I took AP2, Micro and Psych together during a summer semester and I got A's, my classes however were online. I haven't taken more than 2 sciences at once but it's doable. I just finished stats this semester, and it takes a lot of time of you're not great with math, so don't mix that one with your sciences.

Good luck!

Calinurse4 · May 13, 2010

I took Anatomy and Micro together and that was my hardest semester. I got an A in anatomy and a B in micro (my only B!!) and was so relieved when the semester was over. Anatomy was so much work (we do our anatomy and physio as separate classes), micro took a slight backseat. There was no way I could have added other classes!! Good luck with whatever you decide :)

~Kristin

JUPITER19 · May 13, 2010

Maybe I am the minority, but I have always taken at least 2 sciences (w/labs) per semester. This semester I am taking 3 science (w/labs). I just find that each labs is an extra 3 hours per class that I have to be in school and that is what consumes my time. I did do A&P II (the physiology portion), Micro, PSY (lifespan and development) and Statistics last semester and got straight A's. Have you ever taken college science courses before? I found that alot of people that came from business and teaching backgrounds had so much trouble with just 1 science course compared to their own previous coursework experience. Other's adjusted fine. If you are going to be a full time student, and not working (I was not working) it is definitely doable. If it is your first semester you may want to take a lighter load and see how it goes, and adjust accordingly for the following semester. Good Luck!!!

Me :nurse: