Concerned about grades in science classes

[seattleattic]

Hi, I'm new here. I decided two years ago to return to school to become a nurse. I have a BA (1997) that did not require any sciences. For the past two years, I have gone to school off and on, depending on whether I could afford to pay tuition.

I am a single mom, separated from my husband for the past year and a half. I've undergone several life changes, with my dad and then my grandmother dying, facing foreclosure (that has worked out), things like that.

In Spring 2010 I ended up auditing A&P I class because I couldn't concentrate or pass any of the exams. I really should not have attended classes what with my imminent separation and death of my family members. But I did anyway.

So come Spring 2012 and I took A&P I AGAIN, with a different instructor. She was great and I did really well until the practical exams came around. For a while I was maintaining a 3.3 in the class and I have gone down since. I will probably end up with a 2.7-2.9. Grades have not been posted.

With all I have going on in my life, I am beginning to doubt my abilities and wonder if I am simply studying for the wrong thing. I have never been strong at the sciences or math, and I actually surprised myself this time around with the A&P class because I understood and took in a lot more this time around. I am a VERY bad test-taker. Am I doing the wrong thing? Should I give up?

[Cali_Nurse_209]

I would never tell anyone to give up. If this is really what you want to do then go for it. We all go through things but we get through them. If you're having a hard time maybe try and find out where your weaknesses are and work on them. You could attend your professors office hours to try and get help or sign up for tutoring services. But don't give up on something that you really want because you don't want to be down the road Wishing that you could've done nursing. Good luck.

[somekindofstrange]

No, do not give up. You should simply find out your own learning styles and incorporate different methods for studying. Use supplemental material from your text-book, youtube, and books will help you the information in the class. Make sure to do some personal research on which instructors which are best suited for your personal learning style. One way to improve your performance on lab praticals is praticing anatomy labeling with phone apps and software. If the option is available I recommend attending a cadaver dissestion which are usually reserved for health students.

If you do less than stellar in your science I would advise you simply take them over at another College if you can.

[seattleattic]

Wow, thanks to you both. I thought for sure someone would tell me to try something else. I have taken several interest inventories and nursing always comes up. I am so afraid of not being good enough. The instructor this quarter was really good and I think my retention was bettered by my recording the lectures and going over and over them with the PowerPoints. I did not do that last year.

The instructor knows I was having a hard time in my personal life. My Fall Quarter class will be with her as well. She is going to give me a copy of the syllabus so I can study over the summer.

I was thinking of making an appointment with the career counseling office to see what services they offer. I do feel discouraged and frustrated, but I'm glad someone out there telling me not to give up. I've wanted to do this for so long and never had the guts to try it until a friend suggested I do it.

Thanks again.