Anatomy and Physiology

[GuineaPigs, BSN, RN]

So I'm ****** off about this class. I study everything and the tests are always out of 60 damn questions. I always somehow manage to get 15 questions wrong. For the past 3 consecutive tests I've gotten three 76 in a row and it's ******* me off. I do practice tests on each individual subject and I got at least an 88% or higher on each. I don't understand why my tests are like this, always getting 15 wrong. It seems like my grades are pre-determined regardless of the effort I put into the studying. Whether I put in more time or less my grade remains at 76% for my tests. Does anyone have some tips on how to study for A&P? What I can do to pull up these grades? What I should focus on and not focus on as much? Any methods?

[OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN]

First I wouldn't care about it only being 60 questions-since I've been in nursing school our tests are always 30-50 questions max. The point is you need to know the material inside and out. What are getting wrong on your exams? You just need to change the way you're studying and/or figure out what you are doing wrong and change it. There's always a way.

[GuineaPigs, BSN, RN]

I did after I read the guide here. I am trying to study everything in the chapter from the textbook. So for my next test, I am just going to study the topics that are emphasized during lecture and lab.

[PsychNurseWannaBe, BSN, RN]

I did after I read the guide here. I am trying to study everything in the chapter from the textbook. So for my next test, I am just going to study the topics that are emphasized during lecture and lab.

You may run into a problem with doing that. It might help you pass your school exam, but you are still going to have to know pretty much everything for the NCLEX. When I studied, I always had blank printer paper and colored pencils next to me so I can draw whatever I am having a problem with in order to learn. But I am very much a visual learner.

Also, find a great NCLEX study book with a CD and use their information and take their tests on the subject. This may help you in the class room setting and the NCLEX setting. I did this throughout my classes and it really helped me. I also signed up for the student companion for the class book so I can get their exams, study guides and watch their videos.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

the anatomy coloring book and the physiology coloring book are real, genuine references that have helped many of my students over the years. get 'em anywhere books are sold, and i think you can download them now. highly recommended.

[NightNurseRN13]

Don't just read the material and try to memorize it. Ask "why" as you read, try and make sense of it, why would the body work this way? What are the advantages/disadvantages of how this mechanism works? Try and relate certain things to everyday life examples. For example: when learning about glomerular filtration, I imagined a check out line, if it speeds up, more mistakes are likely to occur, some people might get through without paying etc.

Good luck!

[GuineaPigs, BSN, RN]

Well when I study, I use my body to learn it. The problem is my school is on a quarter system so there's a test every 1.5 weeks and each test has two to three chapters of material. What is agitating me is that I am trying to actually learn the material, while others are only concerned with what the professors are emphasizing. Yet they are getting better grades than me and so it's not like any graduate school is going to admit someone based on effort. My nursing school has a 98% -99% NCLEX passing rate so.... I'm not sure what to do.