I feel like I'm the only person I know struggling this bad with A&P. I started school as soon as a graduated in 2011 and was going to go to medical school for OBGYN but then decided to go nursing route after transferring to a school that had nursing as a program I finally got to A&P. Super excited for A&P I figured I would do great, since I took A&P in high school and rocked it I figured I would do the same. In high school I loved A&P but now being in college I feel defeated. I took A&P at one college and failed both times. Then I moved and transfers schools met all their prerequisites for that school I was ready for A&P. But once again I failed. Now at this new school I will be attempting it for a 3rd time I only failed by .48% last quarter. I study at least 12-18 hours a week for this one class. It's my only class I am taking and I would like to get a B or A this quarter and be done with it so I can go onto A&P 2 so I can finally apply for the nursing school in my area.
I feel I am the only person with this problem and am getting to the point of giving up. At my old school I even had a teacher tell me if you can't pass after 3 attempts you might as well give up and find a new major. But I am very passionate about nursing and have been for a long time.
I need advise and help. What did you do if you struggled with A&P? Is there something I'm doing wrong? What are some study tips that I'm maybe not doing already? Any advise really is helpful?
So I'm not sure how you study given that its an online course. I managed to get an A in both my A&P classes but I did attend mine on campus, so hopefully this advice will help.
What worked for me was repitition. For example, I would read the chapter before class and take notes - I would then take a laptop to class and during the lecture I would add more detail to my notes, including visual guides. Then after class I would make flash cards based on the material covered. Anything I didn't understand I would look up online either through videos or other websites. I would also visit the lecturer during her office hours or go to the science lab and get help. Finally, I would then also study my flash cards. I used an app called Quizlet to make mine. The app meant that I could study while I was waiting in line for the grocery store, or on my break at work. It's more productive to study 15 to 20 minutes on and off then to sit for 2 hours straight. I also used the Marieb online study guide which would have videos, explanations and quizes. So between reading the book, taking notes, making flash cards, watching videos, the online study guide, and studying the flashcards I found that I studied the same chapter many times, in many different ways - i.e first by reading then through notes etc. This helped with all the memorizing I had to do.
Another tip that might help is to form a study group. I know that you are taking it online, but with skype you guys could do live video chat and help each other work through difficult topics. Helping other people in your group understand concepts in AP helps you develop a more thorough grounding in the topic yourself.
Totally agree with Zoe! I used the same method and got an A in a all 3 A&P courses. I would read the chapter before class and take notes, then add notes during the lecture, then make flashcards over all the notes. Anything that did not make sense I would use youtube for. I made sure all my notecards in regards to physiology were well thought out so I could understand concepts, not just terminology which is SO important in order to piece the information together. I would then study my flashcards like crazy. I used another flashcard app but it was online and had an iOS app so I could study all the time. While on the bus, while waiting in line, while on my break at work, etc. I hope this helps :)
I think my school handles A&P differently than most. The first semester is strictly anatomy (IDs and structure) while the second covers physiology (pathways). I got an A in anatomy and currently have a high B in phys.
Anyways, I think someone already mentioned it earlier, but repetition is what got me through anatomy. I made flashcards of all the material on a weekly basis, punched holes in them, and carried them around with me on a little key ring. Any time I was out of the house I just whipped out my flash cards and started reviewing. And honestly, I was surprising how much studying I could get done outside of the house. The constant reinforcement on a day-to-day basis really helped make the material stick.
For phys I find that drawing out pathways helps me a lot. I'm more of a visual learner, so being able to see the individual steps in a pathway helps me make sense of the material a lot more than if I were just looking at a page full of text.
The way to do well in A&P is to just put your mind to it. Our lab was just plain and simple, know every bone in the body, professor will just put a 'toothpick' on each bone and finger of the skeleton for the test and we are to write down what it is. Plain and simple.
Look up Khan Academy they have awesome videos about human anatomy! This site is so informative, and if you are a visual learner it helps a lot. I hear you on this-- i took A&P in high school and killed it; now I'm taking A&P this fall and I'm pretty nervous I'm going to fail. But it sounds like you are really passionate and devoted to becoming an RN, don't let this class stop you from achieving your dream :) Good luck!
ZoeFrecn
58 Posts
So I'm not sure how you study given that its an online course. I managed to get an A in both my A&P classes but I did attend mine on campus, so hopefully this advice will help.
What worked for me was repitition. For example, I would read the chapter before class and take notes - I would then take a laptop to class and during the lecture I would add more detail to my notes, including visual guides. Then after class I would make flash cards based on the material covered. Anything I didn't understand I would look up online either through videos or other websites. I would also visit the lecturer during her office hours or go to the science lab and get help. Finally, I would then also study my flash cards. I used an app called Quizlet to make mine. The app meant that I could study while I was waiting in line for the grocery store, or on my break at work. It's more productive to study 15 to 20 minutes on and off then to sit for 2 hours straight. I also used the Marieb online study guide which would have videos, explanations and quizes. So between reading the book, taking notes, making flash cards, watching videos, the online study guide, and studying the flashcards I found that I studied the same chapter many times, in many different ways - i.e first by reading then through notes etc. This helped with all the memorizing I had to do.
Another tip that might help is to form a study group. I know that you are taking it online, but with skype you guys could do live video chat and help each other work through difficult topics. Helping other people in your group understand concepts in AP helps you develop a more thorough grounding in the topic yourself.
Good luck!