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.
Take Ap1 and Micro over the long summer semester, then in fall take AP2 and your other classes...seriously you don't need those classes before you take the teas or hesi...just study for those tests through their review books and you will be fine. Although I must admit I am confused as to why/how you are taking AP and Micro before bio?? You should probably have a background in bio before taking on the beast that is AP
Now what about doing AP1 and AP2 in the summer. Not during the same time but, AP1 for the first 5 weeks (JUne-July) then AP2 for the next 5 weeks (July-August)? The I will take Microbio in the fall.
Hmmm, i did not know that. I thought it was best to finish those 3 in order to have some insight on what the test is going to be over. Alot of my friends that have taken microbio and anatomy tell me that I don't really much of a bio background and I can do without it. However, I do plan to take bio 1 in the fall because it is one of the prerequisites for the ADN program I will also be applying to.
I just took AP 1 & 2, Micro, Algebra & Nutrition this past spring and it was the biggest struggle EVER!!!! I thankfully didn't have to dedicate alot of study time to Algebra and Nutrition because the AP's and Micro took every second of my life!! No lie. I basically had classes Mon-Thurs from 8:30-2:30 and studies from 3:30pm to 2:30am for those 3 classes! I'm a great student, very disciplined and based on previous classes and scores my counselor thought I'd handle it. Well trust me I DO NOT recommend it nor will I ever torture myself like that again. And I agree with the above post, take your time and do well the competion to get into the programs you mentioned are tough, trust me just completed the process....
I just have to respond to this because I can totally relate! I did a schedule like that for the last two semesters and it was a test of endurance, multitasking, and everything else in-between! I too also feel I am very disciplined and had a great run last year with part-time status in the spring and summer sessions. I did well in the classes I took but it definitely was tough! Would I do a schedule like this again??? I probably would but not anytime soon!
I would NOT do that. I think you have grossly underestimated what it takes to make A's in those classes, and believe me...you want A's! You will be competing with other students that have 4.0 in the sciences, and the C's you are likely to earn won't get you very far. That will mean taking them over, which I bet you aren't interested in doing! Take your time, slow down, and spread things out a bit so that you can make A's the 1st time around. One nursing school I looked into applying for actually had the question on their application "Did you make an A in A&P 1 & 2 the 1st time you took them?". Yep, that means that if it's between you and another student that are the same in every way except they got A's the 1st time and you got yours the 2nd...you are out.
I'm a late 30's male myself, with a job, wife and kids. I felt immense pressure at first to get into nursing school NOW NOW NOW, and then I realized it's not a race. It's taken me 2 years to get all my pre-reqs done, and I'll be applying with a 4.0. I like my chances, and I didn't take anything twice. It was worth the extra time. Probably would be for you too. Good luck brother.
Yea I think I may have underestimated them as well. I just bought a quick study sheet with all sorts of diagrams of the body and just was blown away by so much that I have to memorize! So i am definitely going to take microbiology in the fall then and just focus on the two anatomy classes this summer. That does make sense, I hear you do have to make an A to be have a chance and seem marketable.
Reason being, why i'm in a rush is because this upcoming fall will be my 3rd year of college and i feel like I am really behind. But like you said it is not a race. KUDOS on the GPA!! That's great to hear, and I am so glad to hear that another male is on this thread. Everyone thinks I am a female haha and its getting quite annoying.
I am looking to get into a ADN program. My I have a 3.15 gpa so I am really suck. I'm a chronic B student. So I figure I'll work my way up the ladder. It will take more time but I feel that for me its the best route. Plus its the only schools I can really get into. :/ CNA programs take 6 weeks.
Oh I can definitely relate! I have a 3.1 gpa as well and I am not sure if I'm even able to get into a BSN program. Hopefully, my work experience as a vietnamese translator will help me out and my bosses (RN and a former OB Surgeon) will write me recommendation letters. Plus, the factors of me being a male and vietnamese hopefully make me marketable! But I wouldn't complain if I only got into an ADN program.
If you dont have a background in bio and your gpa is 3.1 w/o the sciences I really would take one AP in summer with some other pre req classes and then the micro and ap2 in fall that way you wont be overwhelmed...trust me you will be...i had a 3.9 gpa and I took AP2 and Micro with other classes for a total of 19 credits...it was horrible. Im a really good student but it was so stressful with work on top of that...AP is time consuming over 15 weeks so imagine how stressful it will be over 5!
Please...don't do it! Just spread it out a bit..3 years is no time! plus you will probably have summers off so you can take some of those bsn pre-reqs in the summertime instead!
If you dont have a background in bio and your gpa is 3.1 w/o the sciences I really would take one AP in summer with some other pre req classes and then the micro and ap2 in fall that way you wont be overwhelmed...trust me you will be...i had a 3.9 gpa and I took AP2 and Micro with other classes for a total of 19 credits...it was horrible. Im a really good student but it was so stressful with work on top of that...AP is time consuming over 15 weeks so imagine how stressful it will be over 5!
Please...don't do it! Just spread it out a bit..3 years is no time! plus you will probably have summers off so you can take some of those bsn pre-reqs in the summertime instead!
Here was my schedule for my pre-reqs:
Spring 2010
Bio
Eng101
Psy 101
Math for healthcare prof
Sum 10
Polysci
Soc
Communication
Fall 10
Ap1
Stats
Spanish
Eng 102
Spr 11
Ap2
Micro
Ancient Lit
Anthropology
Math 97
Sum 11
Algebra
Patho
Fall 11
Chem
Fine Arts
Sorry for writing a book! But I just want to show you why it pays to spread it out...I only got one C and one B+(seriously I got an 89.1% in micro :/)
I know without a doubt I will get into my program...and that peace of mind is worth all the time and effort.
YOU CAN DO IT!
Wow I bet; 19 credits in one semester is absurd!. Yea you're right, I am definitely going to take it slow then and not focus on it too much. But I really do not want to take anatomy with microbiology. Reason being, I want to get the anatomy out of the way now, in the summer, and then take microbio in the fall. How does that sound? Good job on the GPA!! What program are you thinking about applying to?
Mirco and AP2 mesh really well together...alot of the info is reinforced especially immunity and the immune system...I am applying to the College of Southern Nevada's nursing program in Las Vegas for Spring 2012. Thank you btw
I just hope you don't burn out before you start!
ps Many of those classes were for when I bridge from RN to MSN
I'd just like to add that you will get as much out of A&P as you put into it. Yes, a lot of the anatomy is rote memorization and will require brute repetition for retention. Yes, you will forget most of it soon after the class finishes.
However, you will remember a lot of it and nursing classes down the line will expect you to as well. While it is entirely possible for you to remediate down the line (you will, everyone has to a bit), the more you learn now the more time you will have later to focus on nursing process.
Some things are more important than others. Knowing exactly how the heart works will help you understand fluids. Knowing the levatores costarum's insertion point and how it is innervated will not.
Important concepts for anatomy: Major bones, muscles, regions, organs
Important concepts for physiology: *Understanding* how things work. After you learn about the heart you should be able to tell me how the blood travels through it. However, if you actually understand the heart you should be able to tell me what happens if the right ventricle is having difficulty pumping.
Well if you do that you definitley wont have a life. I personally wouldnt have done that because thats a heavy load, but if you are very good with time management, dedicated, and are focused then I say go for it and good luck! I hope you get A's and B's.
Reason being, why i'm in a rush is because this upcoming fall will be my 3rd year of college and i feel like I am really behind. But like you said it is not a race. KUDOS on the GPA!! That's great to hear, and I am so glad to hear that another male is on this thread. Everyone thinks I am a female haha and its getting quite annoying.
Slow down and take your time and you will learn more AND possibly even enjoy your classes! I absolutely loved A&P 1 & 2, but they will take over and dominate your life while you are in them. Every morning I would wake up with a body part on my mind, and not even my favorite ones! I purposely avoided taking the 4 big sciences over summer semesters so that I could devote ample time to them, not just to make A's but also to learn/retain as much as possible. It has worked really well! All the other silly pre-reqs, I've taken over summer semesters. Would I like to have done this in a year instead of 2? YES!! But, I reasoned through the situation and decided it was better to take a slower, more measured approach and I am very happy with the results.
If you get through A&P 1 this summer and you get an A, go ahead with A&P2 over the summer. If not, I would cancel A&P 2 and re-take A&P 1 to get your A. I wish you the best!
Oh, and the part where everyone assumes you are a girl...that doesn't seem to have an end to it!
nerfs-mode-on
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Now what about doing AP1 and AP2 in the summer. Not during the same time but, AP1 for the first 5 weeks (JUne-July) then AP2 for the next 5 weeks (July-August)? The I will take Microbio in the fall.
Hmmm, i did not know that. I thought it was best to finish those 3 in order to have some insight on what the test is going to be over. Alot of my friends that have taken microbio and anatomy tell me that I don't really much of a bio background and I can do without it. However, I do plan to take bio 1 in the fall because it is one of the prerequisites for the ADN program I will also be applying to.