Anatomy Jitters...

EthnicBeauty · Dec 24, 2006

Boy do I know how you feel! I'm taking anatomy and physiology next semester and I'm terrified! I was enrolled about 5 years ago (straight out of high school) and didn't understand ANY of the anatomy lecture! I haven't taken chem. in 5 years and don't remember much at all so I'm depending on studying like crazy!! Good luck to you (and me!) LOL :rotfl:

Huscarl73 · Dec 24, 2006

I just finished my first semester of pre reqs. Our class started with 45 people and 15 were around to take the final. IMO that the main reason so many dropped is that they didn't study and it piled up on them to the point they couldn't catch up. Another difference was ages. The young ones fresh out of high school didn't care, most of them would say something similar to 'I'll take it again next semester'.

You on the other hand are 29, old enough to make the connection between school and pay check at the other end.

Jules A, MSN · Dec 24, 2006

I agree that the material isn't hard but there is a lot of volume so staying on top of your studying is crucial. We didn't lose a huge amount of students in pre-reqs, maybe 3 or 4. Sadly when it comes to dropping or re-taking the same class to improve grades it seems to me that most of the people doing that are not paying for their classes themselves anyway. I guess if you are forking out the dough for the class thats motivation to do as good as you can the first time around. Just keep studying and you will do great!

WDWpixieRN, RN · Dec 24, 2006

it's a lot of memorization when it comes to the anatomy.....muscles, bones, insertion points, etc....the physiology can be rather overwhelming -- or at least it was for me!! i came from no science background and had avoided them except for the minimum i had to take for my original bachelor's in business.

believe me when i say that if this 50-year old lady can get through the prereqs, so can you!! i just completed my first semester of nursing school with close to 2 years since my a & p i ("a")and a year from a & p ii (which i finished with a "b")....i think as the posters mentioned above, it's about motivation and your drive....i certainly had a lot more of it with the goal of nursing school ahead of me than i did with a business degree!!

best wishes -- and, breathe!! :icon_razz:

NewCareer78 · Dec 24, 2006

Wow that's Great!!! It's good to see that I am not alone, when it comes to the lack of science experience. I am glad I found this site so that I can keep in contact with those who have gone through or felt what I am feeling. I will keep everyone posted on my journey.

Laura77598 · Dec 24, 2006

HEY THERE and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

Can relate to all your fears and concerns. I too am a nursing student wanna-be. Just recently took my last prerequesite, and I apply to my local community college's nursing program. I hope I get in! Anyway, I got an A in AP1, and a B (missed A by 1.5 points) in AP 2. I have a 3.79 GPA now as I go to the application process. Or course, at my cc (community college) most students don't apply themselves anyway, and the ones that CAN get into the program all want a BIGGER BETTER degree than just the ADN. That's what I'm counting on! Most of the students who can get into the program will go to a nearby university for a BSN instead of just getting into the ADN program.

If you have the time, read your first chapters in AP1 over the CHristmas break. Also use the websites that Daytonite gave you. SHE is a REAL GEM on this website, and you will learn aLOT if you pay attention to whatever she tells you. She has helped many students on this site since I've been visiting this board. Myself included. Also, there is this website that's very useful for learning anatomy. It's the companion site to Hole's Anatomy and Physiology page I cn't remember the exact address, but if you enter Hole's Anatomy and Physiology web page on Google, you will certainly find it.

Also, Go to medicalmnemonics.com It is a Really good site that offers many great mnemonic (memory acronyms ) that can really be helpful on tests. We all learned the 12 cranial nerves and their functions this way right everyone? Don't panic at test time. underline the important words in the test question so you know exactly what the question is asking. then carefully select the answer by process of elimination. Sometimes the wrong multiple choice answer is more obvious than the correct one, but you can use that thought to help you select the corect answer.

Above all else, read all the time, frequently, as much as you can, and visit your allnurses nursing board regularly. This is a wealth of useful information. visit the nursing student sections and the prenursing student forums. I get lots of useful data here. You have lots of help here. Good Luck to you and never let 'em see you panic.

Good Luck,

Merry Christmas,

& Happy New Year!

Laura

NaomieRN · Dec 24, 2006

Anatomy is not that hard if you enjoy science like myself. The key to Anatomy is to read ahead, tape the lectures and rewrite your notes as soon as possible. DO NOT WAIT LAST MINUTE TO STUDY. I think reading ahead is a good idea. If you enjoy it, you will do fine. Dont start with a fear, start with a positive attitude and you will be fine.

Hope2Be · Dec 31, 2006

hi newcareer78... I am in the same boat as you, I dont start A&P until later on in the year "07..but I am nervous about taking this course, I am returning to school after 13 yrs..anyway I bought the A&P coloring books from amazon.com and received them today..let me tell you when i opened the book and flipped thru all that information I almost passed out..thinking how in the world am i going to remember all these different terms, parts and functions!!!!! I guess one page at a time!! good luck and keep in touch..i would like to know how you get thru it, I will also take a look at all the different A&P sites posted on here...

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2006

I have a few jitters regarding the A&P I class that I registered for next semester, especially when one takes into consideration that I plan to take it concurrently with Microbiology. Attempting 2 lab science classes in one semester does give me the jitters, but I can accomplish anything if I fully put my mind and heart into the feat.

KEVO05 · Jan 1, 2007

I took A&P I this semester, and I was really worried because a lot of my friends said it was one of the hardest classes they ever took and that they, "worked their butts off for a D." So I was freaking, but if you study frequently, you will do fine, I got a 112 in my AP grade, thanks to lab, but an A is an A.

allthingsbright · Jan 1, 2007

I am a 29 year old student...who is looking for a career change. I have a Business background, but decided the field was not what I was looking for. I have some friends who are nurses...and they LOVE IT!! I am currently taking some classes at the community college so that I can apply for nursing school, at The Univ. of Texas at Arlington. I don't plan to take a heavy course load. I am a little nervous when I scan over the Anatomy books. I don't want to be overwhelmed when I start the course. I have an Anatomy textbook and I am starting to review and familarize myself early. Is that a good idea? If you have any advise on entering nursing school or being in nursing school please let me know. I can't wait to join the exciting and rewarding career of nursing!!!

A&P is challenging--my best advice is to study it every day. There is lots of memorization involved, so get flashcards and use them! Just stay on top of your studies and you will do fine. I squeaked out a solid B and was happy with that--all these science classes prepare you for the work nursing school is and the amount of studying you will do will increase as you go through school. Learn some good study habits now cuz you will use them later. GL!