my question is: is this a smart move on my part? i am trying to make sure i am done with the 3 classes so i can take the teas (for ut medical branch) and the hesi (for ut houston nursing school). and in order for me to make the deadline of the fall 2012 nursing program at utmb, i must send my application in between (november 15, 2011 - january 15, 2012). so i figured that i should take ap1, ap2, and micro over the summer in order for me to be ready for the two nursing entrance exams. then i would be only taking (human development and growth, chem. lab, philosophy, and biology 1) in the fall 2011. either way i must take ap1 during the summer because i don't want to be behind; if i do not take ap1 in the summer then i would have to take ap1 in the fall 2011 and then ap2 in spring 2012, setting me back on taking the nursing entrance exams.
now what i can do is: switch another class out with microbiology; that way i can lessen the load during the summer and then take my nursing entrance exams when i am done with my fall 2011 semester.
p.s. i have already taken nutrition, chemistry, statistics, and intro to sociology. along with the basics: gov't 1&2, english 1&2, art history (visual and performing arts), and intro to psychology.
Our school wouldn't allow you to take AP I and II concurrently. I did take Micro with AP II last summer (10 week session) and aced them both. I also worked p/t. So I think it's do-able, but be prepared to be sleepless and funless if you want to excel. They all have a ton of reading/studying involved, but the amount of memorizing in AP I is pretty vast. It really depends on how committed you are to making it happen.
And you should see if you can even make it all work with lab times.
Our school wouldn't allow you to take AP I and II concurrently. I did take Micro with AP II last summer (10 week session) and aced them both. I also worked p/t. So I think it's do-able, but be prepared to be sleepless and funless if you want to excel. They all have a ton of reading/studying involved, but the amount of memorizing in AP I is pretty vast. It really depends on how committed you are to making it happen.
And you should see if you can even make it all work with lab times.
The OP's A&P classes are scheduled consecutively, not concurrently. And, with the number of hours that the OP has posted for those classes, lab must already be built in.
Consecutively or not....that will be a complete nightmare! The Anatomy and Phys books are huge..and so much of it you have to know like it's your best friend. It took me a year to complete Anatomy and Phys I and II and I still occasionally review on my own. When you get to Pathophysiology--you'll need to be solid on your AP. You could be the most amazing student in the world and get A's on all of the summer exams, and come out with an A in the courses, but I am a true believer in pacing. Don't rush these classes. Microbio and Chem, as annoying as they are ... really necessary to take your time with as well. You don't want to simply memorize in AP...it will bite you later on ---Just my opinion...I care about my fellow Nurses-to-be :)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really don't know anyone who could absorb...and really really absorb the anatomy and inner workings of EVERY body system, do dissections, and be able to thoroughly explain in detail the physiology in 3 months...while taking other classes-- Yow!
If you decide to do this...try downloading audio from itunes on different systems... that really helped me a lot.
Best of luck,and hope all goes well!!!
I think you have good advice but I have to respectfully disagree about not retaining the material! I took both semesters of A&P last summer - 5 weeks each for each semester - and got As. I just finished up pathophysiology with an A. I'm not an amazing student by any means but I learn quick. The summer pace worked really well with my style of learning. Of course, I saw people who crashed and burned in summer session and probably would have been better off by waiting for a full semester.
To the OP, when I did it last summer, I don't know if I would have been brave enough to do micro at the same time (I took psych 101 at the same time, for what its worth!) But having had micro, which didn't seem as labor intensive to me as some of the other sciences, I think it's completely doable, especially since you have your micro spread out over the entire summer semester. You'll find that there is information in the courses that complement each other so that could be a bonus.
If you're committed to doing well and you know that the quick pace suits YOU, I say go for it.
OK, I took Anatomy, Physio and Microbiology all in the same semester AND I was pregnant and working p/t on my schedule. People thought I was completely nuts but honestly I LOVED it and aced all three. The Anatomy teacher was notoriously tough but that was my favorite class. Because of the labs I would spend 8 hours twice a week at school and another two days 4 hours. I felt like because of all the time spent AT lecture and lab I didn't spend an overwhelming amount of time outside of class. There was only one paper the rest just reviewing material and memorizing body parts and bones etc. I just got SO much out of the lectures and labs. I should also say my physio teacher was rather easy, probably too easy. So it depends on who you are, how tough your teachers are, and your study habits, work and family needs but it is Possible. It turned out to be my favorite time in school thus far! Good luck! And about what the PP said about it absorbing in. I can agree with that to a point. I really feel like I absorbed a lot but I also am going to spend time on my own to review before nursing school since it's been 5 years. I feel more that it is the time elapsed more than any cramming.
I'd just take the a&p's over the summer,, sounds like your going to take more than you can study for and make low grades,,and won't be able to get into nursing school with low grades. dont forget all three of those classes also have labs. one class is about a full load. Id you do take all that, and you see your going to make a low grade,, drop one of them before it counts on your record. the anatomy/micro cliff notes type books are really helpful. The text are too big to read for summer. You can get in a little more study time by reading your notes onto a tape recorder and listen to them in your car going to school, or even relaxing with your eyes closed. great for last minute test prep on way to school
I wouldn't do it personally, but everyone is different. You really need to know all of those subjects when you get to nursing school. Generally I have found taht professors expect you to know the material and they do not reteach A&P in your nursing courses. You will need excellent grades in all 3 courses in order to get into most nursing programs. I personally would not take more than 1 lab science at a time.
Sure, now finishing my first complete year of nursing courses, I could probably go back and ace those classes taken over the summer like that, but before I actually began my nursing program, I would not have been prepared for such a rigorous schedule.
AP1: 8:00AM-12:45PM (includes lab, classes on Monday to Thursday from June 6, 2011 - July 10, 2011)
AP2: 12:45PM-5:30PM (includes lab, Monday to Thursday from July 11, 2011 - August 14, 2011)
MICROBIOLOGY: 5:30PM-10:15PM (includes lab, Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 6, 2011 to August 14, 2011)
FYI: I have a very flexible job as a Vietnamese Translator for a Home Health Agency; working part time. No kids, etc. Just a pre-nursing student. I think I am going to drop the Microbiology and just take it in the fall, that way I can focus on the anatomy during the summer then.
Specializes in Addiction, Psych, Geri, Hospice, MedSurg.
You can do it! I had neither chem, nor did I have basic bio... I scored well enough on my ACT and entrance exam not to need them as pre-reqs.
I took all three accelerated just as you have planned. I maintained a 4.0 in them. It *IS* intense, but definitely doable (I was working and I have a 13 year old special needs daughter). I have not had a science class since I graduated LPN school in 1999. But, working as a nurse for this long, I am sure that is why it was easy for me (I *LOVED* the material). I'm glad I just got them DONE!
Good luck. (I only read page 1 so sorry if I missed anything).
As others have said, doing A&P and Micro together in one semester can be VERY intense. It'll be a lot like taking 3-4 courses in a regular semester. It's doable, but you're going to have to be on your "A-game" study-wise. This is VERY much where I recommend Reading Ahead whenever possible (about a week for such a short semester), Stay Ahead (keep that 1 week lead all semester) and BE IN CLASS!!!!
For such a short semester, this is vital. You need to be in every class you can make it to. You'll miss lots of information if you miss class even ONE day.
Don't forget to review the material as you do the homework. This way you'll have seen the material at least 3-4 times before each exam. Micro is not that hard if you keep up with the material. Neither is Anatomy or Physiology. You just have to be able to keep up with the material. In a Summer Semester, if you fall behind, you're going to have a VERY difficult time catching up, if that's even possible.
Please do not think I'm trying to dissuade you from doing this. Only you know how you study best, and only you can make the final decision as to whether or not you go forward with the plan. It's doable but it's going to be a LOT of hard work and studying.
Could I do it? Yes, I could... but I'm not you. It's entirely possible that YOU could find that class load to be very easy or supremely difficult.
SkiMama
141 Posts
Our school wouldn't allow you to take AP I and II concurrently. I did take Micro with AP II last summer (10 week session) and aced them both. I also worked p/t. So I think it's do-able, but be prepared to be sleepless and funless if you want to excel. They all have a ton of reading/studying involved, but the amount of memorizing in AP I is pretty vast. It really depends on how committed you are to making it happen.
And you should see if you can even make it all work with lab times.