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.
This is all well and good, but seriously, if the OP can't handle these two classes at one time going to school only three days per week, how is he/she going to handle nursing school???
Not my point... and to turn this into a discussion of what she can "handle" is another conversation.
I am not doubting that this individual can "handle nursing school"...I'm sure she can--it's challenging, but not rocket-science for heaven's sake! I am a Premed student. I became Premed after an incredible year of learning the basic nursing courses like API and APII. I am not saying that this individual should go Premed........BUT........I don't feel that 3 to 4 weeks of ApI and the same of APII, then 3 to 4 weeks of Micro is a good idea. It is a lottttttt of material as you well know after taking these courses--a lotttttt. Good grades go a long way, there's no denying that, and that is completely possible for this person, however, I am not convinced of the parallel which you've laid out between "handling nursing school" and cramming three of the most important classes that exist for nurses into a Summer.
I guess it is possible if you have the kind of brain that is a literal sponge to soak in the thousands of vital details and processes in that short a period of time...........but not convinced, even though a person or two on this thread seem to think that it is.
I hope she does well. And I'm sure she will if she tries hard to do so. I know a handful of nursing students who actually make decent grades out of condensed learning schedules...but I am much more about pacing.
Sure it's a "doable" schedule. However I think the grades won't be a high as they need to be with that kind of schedule. I am taking A&P and Micro now during a regular quarter, with other classes and I am very busy. Doing it in a condensed quarter with other classes is suicide. I don't know about the nursing school you are applying at, but here it's best to get a 4.0 in all your prereq's, and even then you may not get in the program. I can appreciate you wanting to get it done in time for fall, however - at least here - GPA is everything. BTW, I am 4.0 for A&P and Micro so far. It wouldn't be with the type of schedule you are considering.
I have already taken Chem this past spring semester. For some reason, I do not see any prereqs needed for taking A&P.
Did you take the courses spread out? what would you recommend on doing?
OP, you already decided what you are going to do. You said that you work too. I was going to say that if you are good in sciences and are able to find time to study it can be done. Of course, take in consideration that it will be intense. The only class that I took over the Summer was Chemistry. My exams on Phys and Micro were based on multiple choice and essays. You also have to take into account any distractions that might happen to you. I had a family emergency when I took Phys and I had to miss one day worth of lecture and lab, but I passed. Don't sabotage yourself by cramming everything if it's not possible. Only YOU know your strengths. If it were up to me, I will just relax, focus on one subject and just enjoy my summer with my friends and family. Keep in mind that when you enter nursing, you won't have a life.
Not my point... and to turn this into a discussion of what she can "handle" is another conversation.
I am not doubting that this individual can "handle nursing school"...I'm sure she can--it's challenging, but not rocket-science for heaven's sake! I am a Premed student. I became Premed after an incredible year of learning the basic nursing courses like API and APII. I am not saying that this individual should go Premed........BUT........I don't feel that 3 to 4 weeks of ApI and the same of APII, then 3 to 4 weeks of Micro is a good idea. It is a lottttttt of material as you well know after taking these courses--a lotttttt. Good grades go a long way, there's no denying that, and that is completely possible for this person, however, I am not convinced of the parallel which you've laid out between "handling nursing school" and cramming three of the most important classes that exist for nurses into a Summer.
I guess it is possible if you have the kind of brain that is a literal sponge to soak in the thousands of vital details and processes in that short a period of time...........but not convinced, even though a person or two on this thread seem to think that it is.
I hope she does well. And I'm sure she will if she tries hard to do so. I know a handful of nursing students who actually make decent grades out of condensed learning schedules...but I am much more about pacing.
I'm not sure what you mean by "not my point." What the OP can or cannot handle is EXACTLY the point because that is what she was asking in her opening post.
I don't know why so many keep insisting that taking three classes is a lot, when the OP would be taking ONLY TWO CLASSES AT A TIME if she keeps that schedule.
The parallel that I was drawing with nursing school is this: two summer classes are the equivalent to four classes during a regular semester, which is done all the time in college and no big deal. So if the OP can't handle two summer classes, how can she be expected to handle four with clinicals?
It's all about priorities. If the OP's priority is getting the work done for class and getting good grades, then it's more than doable. But if the priority is a social life, then one class at a time the way to go. I took 22 credits over the summer just before nursing school with pharm, micro, and two others at the same time, with A's in all of them (plus I was 46 at the time), so I know what I'm talking about, and taking two classes would have seemed like a vacation to me at the time.
I took A&P 1 in the summer term in 2009 and then A&P2 and Micro in the Fall. Its doable. And I work full time. It was the only way to get done in time to get into the Jan class for RN.
If I were you I would switch the micro bio out. Micro bio is easy but requires lots of reading and studying and understanding. In my opinion A&P are one of the hardest classes. I had to drop 6 weeks in because I couldnt handle it with my other 3 classes. Its impossible. My teachers suggested when I was in the class to not take another science course and to take another easy course and if possible dont take anything at all. Its so time comsuming and hard. I would say take human dev instead. Its a really easy and fun class! Im finally staring nursing school this summer and taking A&P among 3 other classes so I will also have no life this summer...for the 3rd summer in a row ): Goodluck!
futurepractitioner1
62 Posts
Not my point... and to turn this into a discussion of what she can "handle" is another conversation.
I am not doubting that this individual can "handle nursing school"...I'm sure she can--it's challenging, but not rocket-science for heaven's sake! I am a Premed student. I became Premed after an incredible year of learning the basic nursing courses like API and APII. I am not saying that this individual should go Premed........BUT........I don't feel that 3 to 4 weeks of ApI and the same of APII, then 3 to 4 weeks of Micro is a good idea. It is a lottttttt of material as you well know after taking these courses--a lotttttt. Good grades go a long way, there's no denying that, and that is completely possible for this person, however, I am not convinced of the parallel which you've laid out between "handling nursing school" and cramming three of the most important classes that exist for nurses into a Summer.
I guess it is possible if you have the kind of brain that is a literal sponge to soak in the thousands of vital details and processes in that short a period of time...........but not convinced, even though a person or two on this thread seem to think that it is.
I hope she does well. And I'm sure she will if she tries hard to do so. I know a handful of nursing students who actually make decent grades out of condensed learning schedules...but I am much more about pacing.