Anatomy Help!

becky1230 · Aug 10, 2015

I found that anatomy was more memorizing than anything. Flash cards can come in handy. I always made my own because writing it down helped it stick too, but there are a number of websites and phone apps you can use that already have flash card sets for tons of topics.

This may sound weird, but I also used to write on my body/my significant other and basically use it as a diagram. For example, learning the bones, I would write on my wrist "ulna" over the bone. It helped me when it came to testing if I knew where things were on myself.

GageMicheal · Aug 10, 2015

That is not weird at all seems like that method could be handy!

DragonNerd · Aug 10, 2015

In my A&P classes, our lab grades were worth a lot of our overall grade. Something that helped me was when we got finished with a section in the lab, I would take a small video of the teacher going over what we needed to know for the exam (with her permission). For example, we needed to know all the muscles for one exam (we used dissected cats for our examples). After we learned all the muscles, our teacher came over and labeled them all for us and we took the video. Then I watched it over and over until I thought I had it. You can also use this to quiz yourself, just mute it and label as your teacher points. Hope this helps! :)

lovesbunnies · Aug 10, 2015

Pay attention in class, take notes, and don't miss class. Make the most of your lab time and take advantage of open lab time if it's offered. Flash cards are helpful--I made my own. You can also cover the labels on diagrams in your book and quiz yourself over and over until you've memorized everything. Watching YouTube videos from interactive biology and khan academy helped me a lot.

Miss Infermiera2b, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2015

Quizlet helped me earn A's in both semesters of A&P. It helps you stay organized and you can use it on the go, when you don't have access to your notes or computer.

NattieWattie · Aug 10, 2015

Print unlabeled pictures of the models, put them in a sheet protector, and write on the sheet protectors with expo markers. When my A&P I teacher told us about this I couldn't understand why no one had told me sooner! Make an answer key so you can check yourself or have someone else check for you. This way you practice identifying and spelling with repetition.

Kt26 · Aug 10, 2015

I received A's in both sections of A&P, and my biggest piece of advice would be to start studying for the exams on day 1 of class. What I mean by that is to read/skim your textbook before lecture and then review your notes later that day after lecture to reinforce what you just learned. Also make flash cards after each lecture of the most important info you learned, as well as review your flash cards/notes before lecture to remind yourself of what was dicussed previously in lecture. Doing all of this will also help you to identify any topics or areas of info that you don't understand so that you can get help/clarification as soon as you become confused. The most important thing is to not fall behind on learning and understanding processes and concepts because once you fall behind, it's difficult to catch up. If you do these things, by the time exams roll around, you should only need to review information that you already know and understand.

I hope that this helps! You can do it! :)

NurseEmmy · Aug 11, 2015

Keep up with the work. Don't wait to cram before the midterm or final.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2015

The Anatomy Coloring Book is an excellent study aid, involving more neuro pathways to help solidify input. :) Available at your favorite online bookstore. You can thank me later. :)

chiromed0 · Aug 11, 2015

I have a BS in Anatomy, DC, RN, working on my MSN (just for background). My advice? Draw. Draw everything out. Don't just rely on memorizing b/c you will need it later to further your understanding. Draw out a skeleton and label all the bones. Draw out the nerve tracts, draw the brain, draw the muscles...yadda, yadda. Get a Netter's (or whatever's handy) anatomy book. Learn muscles in groups by area/action. Anatomy is memorization but just relying on one type of input may get you a passing grade but not an "A" like your wanting. Draw and label everything! Plenty of Youtube videos, tons of online pics...resources are abundant and free.

direw0lf, BSN · Aug 12, 2015

I put sticky notes up with vocabulary all over everywhere so I'd see them through out the day no matter what I was doing (bathroom mirror, bed headboard, fridge, computer) and I got poster board, cut them up and glued pictures on to make my own flashcards. Some pictures I drew which helps more I think and some I printed out like different tissues. Also a good idea is to get a mini white or black board so you can draw and label over and over.