Anatomy & Physiology I.. how did you study?

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For all of those who have taken Anatomy and Phys...I'm interested in knowing what method you used to study....(ie; flashcards, study-group, etc)....

I keep hearing how "hard" this class is and I'm assuming it's simply all the terminology and memorization.....so I'd like to know which way to approach it, in order to do my best. My school offers an optional coloring book....and I don't know how useful something like that would be....and don't wanna purchase it if it's not something that would work well.

so I'd appreciate any study tips anyone has to offer!! thanks!!

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Specializes in SDU, Tele.

I am in AP2 now and I can tell you that coloring book will be your best friend. It is absolutely essential! My cousin who is in Med school even got it and has helped her immensely to memorize her anatomy. But AP is also physiology so it is not only memorization like anatomy alone. You need to understand tough concepts you've never heard before.

I use "Interactive Physiology" software. If it doesn't come with your book, you can buy it on amazon. It explains everything you need to know and more, and it is so fun to watch.

I also suggest getting a digital recorder if you see your professor speaks too fast or are having a hard time understanding things initially. I purchased one from Olympus and it was less than 50 bucks. You can put them in your mp3 player or on a CD too.

If your teacher emails you the lecture powerpoints, you can either take a laptop and write notes directly on the powerpoint(under the slide you can type notes in the text box) or you can print all the powerpoints and put them in a 3 ring binder. This will help because you are seeing/hearing/writing/reading everything.

I made my own flashcards. It was cheap and I think it helped me retain things more. But I get too lazy sometimes and prefer coloring instead. :)

READ YOUR BOOK AND HIGHLIGHT!! I love highlighters with post it things on them. I underline keywords while I am reading, and sometimes go back and just read over the things I highlighted.

Get a sketchbook, a nice 8x11 one and draw all the diagrams you see in the book. Or, you can do it in your notebook but make sure its super neat. I also take really good notes when I read, in my own words and complete sentences, not just outlines.

I also purchased a study guide. It has multiple choice, color-ins, fill in the blanks, short answer questions and clinical questions. I love the clinical ones. Also, do all the questions in the back of your book.

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Specializes in SDU, Tele.

Coloring books - ANATOMY: http://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Coloring-Book-Wynn-Kapit/dp/0805350861/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263182065&sr=1-32

PHYSIOLOGY: http://www.amazon.com/Physiology-Coloring-Book-Wynn-Kapit/dp/0321036638/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Honestly, you probably only need the Anatomy one. The physiology one depends on the person. I didn't get it for myself but I may depending how much this teacher goes in depth to the concepts.

AP Study guide - http://www.amazon.com/Human-Anatomy-Physiology-Study-Guide/dp/0805373055/ref=sr_1_38?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263182083&sr=1-38

Digital recorder - http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Digital-Voice-Recorder-6200PC/dp/B002DSHMA8/ref=pd_cp_e_1

And if you don't want to spend much money by getting the recorder, which is SUPER reasonable, I suggest going on itunes and downloading Dr.Bonner's Anatomy and Physiology podcasts, and Doc C's A&P podcasts from the College of St.Scholastica. The man is amazing. :) Good luck.

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Flashcards for lab AOI's of muscles for sure! Also make sure to understand the physiological processes and not just memorizing the steps. My professor asked many application/diagnostic questions. It also helps to understand the anatomy because doing so will, in turn, help you understand the physiology.

I took many of the practice tests in my text book and I used the supplemental instruction website that came with my book to quiz myself and get a better understanding of concepts.

READ READ READ also! Repetition is key...the more you hear it and see it the better!

Also, don't forget to look over any diagrams or pictures discussed. My professor took a lot of questions from these, and not just labeling, they were about physiological processes.

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How hard A&P is entirely dependent on your professor if you ask me. You need to get it very clear where your tests are coming from notes, book, or both. I had a prof. that only tested from her notes and with moderate studying I recieved an A in both A&P 1 and 2. If your prof tests from notes ask to print the powepoint or whatever so you are in a scramble to keep up with prof during lecture and can highlight or underline or both the important stuff. If you get a crappy prof that says read 3 chapters we test on Friday step up to them and ask for what you will be the questions from each chapter pry pry and pry. Any info you can leave out of studying will be to your benefit.

Good Luck

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/LTC/geriatrics.

I recorded the lectures and listened to them starting a few days before the exam, I think I fell asleep with them going. I pulled a B in the class. I also understand the coloringbook is helpful. I didn't find the coloringbook until after the class. Best of Luck.

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Specializes in Interested in Oncology and/or Pediatrics.

How "hard" A&P is really does depend on your professor. I had a very new professor for A&P1 who had only taught for 1 quarter before my class. She did nothing but read verbatim from her power point lectures and it was very tiring and confusing for the whole class. I think I might have put about 2-3 hours of studying in a day for that class. :p

I found that one of the best things is to simply take notes - summarize the physiological aspects that are in your text. Write them in a question and answer format, it will help you on the tests. As far as memorizing all the bones and muscles, definitely take advantage of any open labs! I went to a school that uses cadavers and we had to identify structures from them during our lab practicals. One caveat with the coloring book is it will help you locate the structures on paper, but if you are one of those people who don't have very good spatial sense it will hurt more than help. One other option would be to buy a 3d model (you could probably find those on ebay or amazon).

Hope this eases your anxiety a little bit! Good luck!

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thanks for all your advice....

I am not sure about recording the lecture because I am a visual learner, so I dunno. It's something to think about.

Luckily my professor is supposed to be really good (so says ratemyprofessor.com) My first class was today, but it's hard to say yet.

I think I may invest in the coloring book. I have a grant, so it will be paid for...I may as well get it, right? (visual learner!)

I did print up the power point beforehand so I wasn't writing the whole time (and I also suggested that to students near me who were struggling to keep up) that is VERY HELPFUL.

So we'll see! The professor said something today that sticks with me...."if you think it's gonna be hard, then it's going to be. "

I am personally jumping in with both feet! :yeah:

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Knowing how you best learn is a good start. That helps me in all subjects. If my teacher doesn't teach in my "learning style" I adapt by other means. If I have difficulty with a specific concept I search educational websites for interactive learning tools. i.e., self-quizzes, animations with audio, even games that reinforce the study material. The more senses I engage, the better I retain. Ex: Read out loud when you read, when possible. Also, sometimes one "presenter" of information, as opposed to another, will break it down in a way that you may find easier to absorb. Lots of universities have accesible science department sites. Study chapter reviews in your text. Know how to answer those questions. I've even been known to consult "For Dummies" books. Find a study buddy or a supportive person who is willing to ask you questions to see just how much you are retaining. This will flesh out where you are strong and where you are weak. Lastly, devote enough time. Other posters have great suggestions. These are things that have helped me, and I hope they help you, too. Good luck!

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Specializes in Stepdown.

Note cards are a great resource. I passed AP1 with a 98%, and I owe it all to note cards, and studying my orifice off of course. Get one of those note card boxes and carry your notecards with you everywhere you go. Study them whenever you have free time. Believe me, it helps. Also when studying, try to reference things you're studying to yourself, it helps you remember things. Remember to understand concepts, and where things are/what they do rather than rote memorization.

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Before the semester began, I watched the full semester webcast of Anatomy from UC Berkely and took notes, and read the first chapter of my textbook.

During the semester I utilized the textbook's online resources (quizes, animations, flashcards etc) I read ahead of where we were in class, and sat in the front row towards the middle. (No distractions and you can focus on the teacher.)

Here is the link to the course at Berkley. Very engaging professor.

http://webcast.berkeley.edu/course_details.php?seriesid=1906978375

Best of luck to you.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
How hard A&P is entirely dependent on your professor if you ask me. You need to get it very clear where your tests are coming from notes, book, or both. I had a prof. that only tested from her notes and with moderate studying I recieved an A in both A&P 1 and 2. If your prof tests from notes ask to print the powepoint or whatever so you are in a scramble to keep up with prof during lecture and can highlight or underline or both the important stuff. If you get a crappy prof that says read 3 chapters we test on Friday step up to them and ask for what you will be the questions from each chapter pry pry and pry. Any info you can leave out of studying will be to your benefit.

Good Luck

Could not agree more! I personally believe in flashcards and alot of other things, but 80% of how you'll be tested depends on the teacher. Figure out what their game plan is and study from that angle. My A&P I teacher tested 98% based on lecture - so everything was about the lecture for me, but my Microbio. teacher was big on Textbook - so it all depends on the teacher. Good luck!!! :)

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