Anatomy and Microbiology in the summer????

TipsyTurtle · Jan 14, 2018

I took microbiology in the summer with a 6 week session. It was a 6 unit class, I had to meet 4 days out of the week and everyday I had lab and lecture. This is a fast paced class, you will set off SPRINTING. If you are the type of person that needs time to learn the material and don't like rushing through topics this is not the class for you. EVERYDAY you need to put in hours to study and do assignments, if you skip one day of studying you will see how badly it will affect you. For me, I would review the powerpoint slides before class, take notes during class, and review the notes after class. This way helped me not fall behind in the class. You will need to talk to your teacher on the first day of class because you will most likely need extra help outside the classroom. Form study groups to help you review the material in the class before exams. The lab portion is also gonna be a lot, everyday you will be using the microscope. You will also need to ask yourself if want to work while taking this class because it's honestly not recommended. This class is not for the faint of heart so be warned! Goodluck!

Rionoir, ADN, RN · Jan 14, 2018

I took advanced A&P in summer and it wasn't too bad, but you're pretty much preparing for a test or two every week. To take both It really depends how quick you can pick up material, how good your study skills are, and if or not you are working. If you have a job, then definitely not if you are interested in maintaining a high GPA. You know your capabilities, so just be realistic with yourself. If you want to be focused 100% only on your classes for 8 weeks, it can certainly be done and I know (excellent students) who did it and got As.

kphxm · Jan 14, 2018

I'm not gonna be working during the summer haha. The only other commitment I would be having is a single four-hour hospital volunteer shift once per week that I could do on the weekend. On the community college's website (Saddleback), the summer schedule of classes hasn't been posted yet, but last year's Anatomy class and Microbio class both had lecture and lab four days a week Mon-Thu. Microbio would take from 9 AM-1 PM (lecture and lab), and I would have a three hour break before Anatomy, which would be 4 PM-8:10 PM (lecture and lab). So I'm just not sure when I would be able to find the time to study because I'm essentially going to class all day (unless I review microbio in the three hours that I have before anatomy). I go to CSULB, and that program is basically impossible to get into. I'm taking CHEM 140 in Fall 2018, and everyone I've talked to who has taken that class said that I would need to focus all of my energy into that class since the professor isn't good.

TipsyTurtle · Jan 15, 2018

Your a first year pre-nursing student and I honestly think you are underestimating how hard science classes are in the summer. I strongly recommend you take only 1 class in the summer. Rather get an A in 1 class then getting a C in 2 classes. If you decide to take 2 classes in the summer and drop them, it will affect your chances getting into a nursing program. Schools don't like it when you retake your science classes. As a person also living in California, ALL the BSN programs at CSU's are very hard to get into since it is very competitive. I suggest you look into some ADN programs, some schools have great ADN programs but I would suggest you look into the benefits of a BSN vs an ADN. People have different reasons for picking between a BSN & an ADN, depending on your situation you might like one more than the other.

green.tea, BSN · Jan 16, 2018

I took both A&P 2 and a chemistry class in the summer. It wasn't hard for me, but did require a lot of time. How easy/difficult has school been for you so far? What have your grades been like? I was advised against taking both, but I'm glad I did, and I got A's in both.

kphxm · Jan 16, 2018

School hasn't been bad at all for me. I did well first semester but I did get a B in a GE class but it doesn't count toward either of the GPAs for CSULB's nursing admission requirements. I'll be taking physiology this coming semester though, do you have any tips? It's going to be my first science prerequisite that I'm completing.

HalfBoiled, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2018

If you're able to get in those classes do it.

Don't work during the summer.

Strongly encourage to deactivate all social media too.

Also, freshmen year status has one of the highest priority for registerting for classes.

I would wait to transfer transcripts until you're down with pre-reqs (or when you reach sophomore year status)