Boliogy Dilema

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I just started my pre-req's this semester. I am taking ENG 101, PSY 101, MAT 092, and BIO 181. BIO 181 did not have ANY pre-req's so that is why I took it this semester since it is the pre-req for 2 other Biology courses I need to take (BIO 201 & BIO 205).

The very first day of Biology the instructer said that if you have not had Chemistry you will have a tough time in this class. ARGH!!!!! I have not had Chemistry (in fact, I graduated high school in 1989 and I don't think I even had Chemistry in high school!). We have had 5 lectures so far and 1 lab. I swear the instructor is speaking a foreign language! I don't understand ANY of it! He asks questions and all my fellow students know the answers from Chemistry. I walk out practically in tears because I did not understand and feel stupid since everybody else does :crying2:

Here's my dilema. I am thinking of dropping BIO and waiting until after I have taken Chemistry. The plan I had all laid out called for me being done with pre-req's in 2 years. Since the BIO I am currently enrolled in is the pre-req for BIO 205 and BIO 201, which is the pre-req for BIO 202, it will push me back 3 semesters (I can't take Chem next semester becasue I need MAT 120 before I can do Chem).

What would you do? Would you stick it out and pray for at least a C or would you drop and push everything back 1 1/2 years? I am afraid that this will ruin my GPA. Also, does anybody know what it does to my school record if I drop a class now? It has only been 2 weeks and we have not taken any tests yet. I know I can't get a refund on the class (a few days too late for that) but I will be able to get a full refund on my book (have until Feb 3rd for that).

Specializes in LDRP.

You'll be fine! I took A&P, Cellular Biology and my first semester of Nursing with no chem and I made A's. I'm taking Micro now and we just reviewed CHEM principles the first week-no biggy. Just study hard and you should make it...All science teachers want a Chem and Biology pre req for their classes...they are just picky that way!

And ya know, I feel like my instructors are speaking a foriegn language until I do the reading and study hard. Are you reading BEFORE class? Are you doing the study guides in your book? Are you using CD roms if available. How much effort are you putting into the class? Just so you know, Chem is no cakewalk. IT IS REALLY HARD TOO! Either way you are in for a lot of work.

Good luck!

Specializes in ICU.

Don't give up. Maybe you can just try to teach yourself the basic chemistry that is needed for Bio. Perhaps buy a book like, "Introduction to Chemistry foer Biology students." It just takes practice and a little bit of study time.

I mean, Biology is not all chemistry, so I think if you just study a little further--maybe ask the professor for some advice on what to read if you're just starting out? Good luck.:)

Don't give up. Maybe you can just try to teach yourself the basic chemistry that is needed for Bio. Perhaps buy a book like, "Introduction to Chemistry foer Biology students." It just takes practice and a little bit of study time.

I mean, Biology is not all chemistry, so I think if you just study a little further--maybe ask the professor for some advice on what to read if you're just starting out? Good luck.:)

I did buy that book. I am going to spend all day Sunday studying that book and my BIO book and see if I can make some sense of this. If I can't then I think I may have to drop :crying2:

I took Bio before I took chem with no problems. I think maybe you should try and stick it out? what is the worst that could happen? You may have to drop it later in the year, but at least you would have all the info to study when you retake it again and you would know how to study for the teacher's test since you have already done them before.

just a thought.

study hard and keep your chin up you may surprise yourself and pass the class without the chem.

One of my friends had this happen to him where a teacher told him he would not make it without a prereq and he passed the class and did well he just had to study more but he did it. I bet you could do it too.

Good Luck.

Specializes in ICU.
I did buy that book. I am going to spend all day Sunday studying that book and my BIO book and see if I can make some sense of this. If I can't then I think I may have to drop :crying2:

nooo, don't drop. Go the library and find all the basic chemistry books you can--just immerse yourself in them. Look online. Take it one subject at a time. There is not that much chemistry in Biology--it is only the core parts. Believe me, if I can pass Chem 1 with an A, then ANYONE can understand that crap. I swear I didn't even know what an atom really was, but I did it (ok I may have known what an atom was, but ..lol, you know).

You can do it! Just say to yourself, "I have no choice, I must learn this stuff and I will!" There is nothing too complex that you cannot teach yourself-that is my saying.

I didn't get chem in high school either (grad 1987) they made me take it in college back in 89 and I barely passed. I may have learned something about Kcals, whatever the heck they are. And it was fun wearing goggles...get the picture: ;)

Fast forward to last year when I started core nursing classes....

DOn't need it, don't use it, don't miss it.

My advice--get some kind of basic Chem review book if you are feeling lost. If there is a "Nursing Made Incredibly Easy" chemistry book, you may want to look into it. But don't put yourself back so far if you don't have to. Chemistry didn't seem to have any place in anatomy or physiology either...or if it did, I passed them anyway. Chem just never stuck in my head and I'm doing fine. The same may be true for you.

+ Add a Comment