Biology and A&PI in summer

stpauligirl · May 2, 2006

I am trying to get through the pre-reqs as quick as possible but with the best grades possible as well. I just registered for Biology and A&P I summer classes. I am now panicking at the thought of doing these classes in one month each. Can you please give me some feedback if anyone has taken these in the summer and how hard it really was for you?
Thank You!!

I would take the Biology during the summer and the A&P in the fall....A&P is VERRRRRY demanding and learning some basics in your Biology class will only help you do better in A&P. But of course this is only my opinion. I have seen too many people want things tooooo fast and then not getting the grades they need to make it to nursing school. Good luck and think "tactical patience"

MIKelly · May 3, 2006

I was registered to take anatomy this summer (6 wk course) but then decided it wasn't in my best interest to try to take it at an accelerated level if I wanted a B or an A. I need an A, really, to keep my GPA high enough for consideration into the nursing school I want to apply to. They don't look at what classes you've taken, only your GPA and HESI. Of course if I actually get into the program I will be taking the acclerated course next summer, but then the pressure will be off as I will only need a C or higher.

Reno1978, BSN, RN · May 3, 2006

I took A&P I during the summer last year. At the time, I was working FT, from 5am to 2pm, then lecture (physiology) was from 3pm to 5pm and lab (anatomy) was from 5:15pm to 7:30pm for 4 weeks, Monday through Thursday. I got an A, but it was TOUGH! With my schedule, pretty much any spare moment I had was spent studying. If you're good at science, you should expect a challenge due to the pace at which you're learing tons of material. We basically had 3 physiology lectures, then an exam each week. In lab, we had anatomy quizzes every other day and 3 practical exams where you have to identify approximately 100 body parts from slides, models, pictures, or the cadaver. We covered integumentary, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, and lymphatic systems along with their corresponding histology.

I'm glad I took the course during the summer, because it helped me prepare to apply for nursing school 1 semester earlier than I had originally planned. I got accepted this fall, as opposed to spring of 2007. The only other summer courses I've taken are English composition courses and general chemistry. I got A's in all of them. It's not the content that's hard to grasp, but you need to be sure you can keep up with the pace it is taught at. I'd encourage establishing study groups with your classmates and make the most of any time you have to study. I would have to say that the people that were struggling during summer courses just weren't able to keep up.

Best of luck!

Melcia060 · May 3, 2006

I'm taking Microbio summer session 1 and then A&PII session 2. They are both 5 weeks long. I know some people say "there's too much to know in both, and you'll just cram the info then forget about it." Maybe I'm just weird, but I do better in shorter classes, and I usually remember more in them. A&PI wasn't easy, but it wasn't really hard for me either-just time consuming. My Biology class was really easy, pretty much just a more advanced high school version of bio. I think if you're willinging to commit the time then you will be okay. I'm starting nursing school in the fall and my advisor keeps telling me that it's in my best interest to get as many of the science classes out of the way before clinicals start, that's basically why I'm doing both over the summer. Melanie

NaomieRN · May 3, 2006

I am glad I did not take anatomy last summer. There are 29 chapters in the book. I could not see myself going through 15 chapters in 4 weeks. That is too much for me. For most people, when you cram, it only goes to the short memory.

This is for most people: The problem is that cramming information places it into our brains in short term storage. This is where you put everyday information that is not really worth remembering. In order to learn we have to transfer information into long term memory. Once there, you can retrieve it far easier over a longer period of time. Here's an overview the differences:

All information is processed in the brain and stored in short term memory. The problem is that this information sort of overloads the brain and is not kept for very long. Can you remember every single event that happened to you in a given day? Think of the literally thousands of bits of information you are exposed to every day. It's not necessary to remember it all, so the brain dumps it after a time.

Course information is the same thing. If you're learning something new it's harder to remember. It takes constant review and trying to remember specific information before you actually can. Once something is transferred from short term to long term memory we say it has been learned. (or at least remembered)

Good luck to you

haemma · May 3, 2006

Thank You for all of your thoughts!! I will not be working through the summer however I have 3 of my own children and 1 stepdaughter. My stepdaughter will be at her mom's most of the summer. My biggest fear is not being able to study due to the kids. Thankfully my hubby is off work 3-4 days a week! I will think on this a little more to make sure that I am up to the challenge - I do enjoy challenges though!