Chem Lab & Lecture, A&P, Stats. Too much for one semester?

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Hi all, I am a Pre-Nursing Student with about 7 classes left before I graduate. Next Semester I am registered to take Intro to Chem, the lab and lecture which is split into two classes, anatomy and physiology 1, and statistics. 12 hours total. I am just worried that it may be too much to take all of these classes together in one semester? I've heard these can be the most difficult classes and I don't want to overwhelm myself and either fail classes or lower my gpa. These are be most important classes and I need to get A's in them in order to get into the BSN program. Has anyone taken these courses together? Or can give me any advice?

I have two kiddos, 4 and 6 months when the semester begins in January.

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Specializes in Critical Care Transport, Cardiac ICU, Rapid.

At my school you had to take A&P2 and Chem together (they were only offered during spring semesters). Is it a lot of work? Sure, but nursing is tough and more often than not students won't be coddled despite pre-existing responsibilities. Having children makes it more difficult than the average student, however, I'm sure you'll find a way to make it work (better to suffer now and reap the rewards than later on). Just make sure not to fall behind in class as chemistry and stats especially will continue to build upon the previous chapter. You can get away with just memorizing everything in anatomy and physiology in my opinion so long as you actually understand the material. I wish you the best with your studies and just remember it'll all be worth it in the end never forget!

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I definitely am not asking or wanting to be coddled because I have children. I know what I got myself into when I chose my career. I just don't want to overload myself and have my gpa suffer. I keep trying to tell myself I can work through it but I am just nervous that I may be doing too much in one semester, I just don't want to have to push my graduation date further. Such a difficult decision.

Thanks for the advice. I am looking more for people who have taken there courses and can comment on the course load and difficulty

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Specializes in Critical Care Transport, Cardiac ICU, Rapid.
I definitely am not asking or wanting to be coddled because I have children. I know what I got myself into when I chose my career. I just don't want to overload myself and have my gpa suffer. I keep trying to tell myself I can work through it but I am just nervous that I may be doing too much in one semester, I just don't want to have to push my graduation date further. Such a difficult decision.

Thanks for the advice. I am looking more for people who have taken there courses and can comment on the course load and difficulty

I have taken these courses..I'm a nursing student now..

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I have taken these courses..I'm a nursing student now..

Oh okay. So from your experience in these classes, would you suggest NOT taking them together? I know that anything can be done if you put enough work into it, but if you had to give the advice- would you say stick it out or space them out instead?

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Specializes in Critical Care Transport, Cardiac ICU, Rapid.

Like I said in my previous post, these courses were not offered at any other time and i had to take them together with the exception of statistics. Previously said as well, these courses will build upon the previous chapter and if you think you will fall behind at some point I would advise you not to take the three at the same time. In Chemistry (mine was a mix of organic, inorganic, and bio) it wouldn't have been possible to understand the next chapter without understanding the prior. As with stats the same follows, you will learn one concept and then it'll be expanded even further in the next. The one class you could play catch up in is A&P because you will be going over different systems of the body and thus have more time to study the previous system you've gone over as well, especially with the labs and practicum that's really just all memorization with the parts of the cat, brain, bones etc. Do I think you should take them all at the same time? I can't answer that I have no clue as to your academic background but if you are willing to really keep your nose in the books for 3-4 months than yes you can easily ace all three classes

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I am planning on taking biochem, Ap2, and stats this coming semester. I may get special dispensation to also take pathophysiology at the same time. It will be a lot of work, but it just depends how much time/effort you have to give the classes. I think if you have a good study ethic then it will be fine. I have a BS and an MSED already so I am comfortable with a lot of studying. I took micro/ap1/human growth and development/and nutrition last semster and got all A's. It can be done.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Oh okay. So from your experience in these classes, would you suggest NOT taking them together?
The answer to your question depends on your academic abilities and organizational skills.

What I'm about to say might be interpreted as somewhat controversial. Some people have the intellectual horsepower and organizational skills to earn 'A' grades in all of those courses in the same semester, whereas others simply do not. The majority of people have too many distractions to pull it off, and in other cases, they cannot comprehend the material fast enough to keep up.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

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I personally wouldnt. I took all my sciences seperately and im taking stats by itself next semester. I did much better doing them seperately with other easy courses rather than altogether. Its better to take it slow rather than go extremely fast. Is your school the type where you have to finish pre reqs before you get into clinicals? Cuz that is how mine is and i just finished all my pre reqs at community college and just taking stats next semester just because it transfers to the my BSN school in the future. Good luck with whatever you choose!

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Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

I wouldn't do it. I have 3 kids under 7 and hold a 4.0 pre-req GPA but I only took two classes at a time. Statistics wasn't difficult just time consuming. Chem is a difficult subject for me so I have put in 10-20 hours of study time. A+P is also not difficult but time consuming. I am someone who has to study for science classes, I can't just review for an hour and ace a test. But some people can, if you are one of those people, then go for it. But if your not, don't do it. I have to have 6 credits hours a semester for FASFA so I combine a science class w/ a class that's easy for me like English or psych.

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Specializes in Behavioral health.

Short answer Yes

I taught High school Chemistry and tutored college chem. This is a tough load. With your parental responsibilities, it will be too much. Chemistry is very quantitative and abstract. Writing science lab reports is time intensive. I recommend taking one science class with stats. If you're not comfortable with algebra or did not take high school chemistry do A&P with Stats. It still will be a rough but manageable.

Good luck

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