well, tomorrow is the last day to drop any class with a W. Today(thursday), I had a lab and lecture exams on Nervous System. I found out I scored a B- on my lecture exam(highest I ever had so far :) ) and a 62% on my lab :(, which puts my class grade at a D. Even harder for me to decide if I should drop. My teacher helped me calculate and said if I get C (worse comes to worse) and do all my assignments (which i do) then I would get a C for the whole grade, unless i get Bs or As on the next 4 exams of course.
It's hard to predict how well I would do because there's so much to memorize and she only tests 45% on the materials she lectured in class. This isnt a math class. I know that's not an excuse because it also depends how much time I put into it. I do put alot of my time studying and that's what I did for Nervous System although I did forget alot of body nerve names (ahh!! and teacher did ask for those names..ouch). Funny thing was on my last lab/lecture on Muscles, I scored an F on the lecture but a B on the lab (i admit..i did spend too much time studying for lab then i did for lecture on that topic).
I dont like giving up and wouldnt like a W on my report card! To me, a W is equal to an F. My current GPA is around 3.3 (Yeah i know it's not the best GPA. Ive had As, Bs and one darn C from bio :\). Anatomy is 4 units. I am scared my below C grade( ) would bring my GPA down! My current major is Business/Maybe Nursing (hard to tell because Anatomy is the only Pre nursing class I have). I'm not distracted by my Business workload. I think I just have trouble remembering everything for Anatomy.
I think Anatomy is very interesting and I learned alot.
I do know why this/that happens.....i just dont remember the NAMES of the terms.
What I mean of the 45% we get tested on is she would go over everything on the study guide (we get study guides. Study Guide mostly contain vocab terms and sometimes paragraphs of certain materials) and we would read/study/look over on my own as well. But on exam days, we're tested on the 45%, little chunks of materals on every chapter we covered. I know it's good to know EVERYTHING though. But at the same time I wish she would emphasis on what to focus more on.
The trick to knowing the terms is knowing their origin. Learning the basics of mecical terminology (there are countless books and web sites) will help loads in remembering all the crazy new words.
For example:
osteo=bone. whenever you see osteo, it refers to bones or bone tissue.
cyte=cell. Whenever you see cyte, it is refering to a cell.
osteocyte = bone cell.
xiphihumeralis muscle (in cats)
xiphi refers to the xiphoid precess of the sternum
humeralis is the humerus in the upper arm.
Therefore, this muscle must have its origin and insertion at these two places.
Learn the roots, and you can then "translate' any word, even if you have never heard of it before. It is just like learning a new language.
I took A&P last semester along with 3 other classes. I spent 75% of my total study time on A&P alone. It really requires complete dedication and immersion or you will get lost FAST.
My two cents: Our program didn't like to see a C in either Anatomy or Physiology. Is there any way you could maybe change to Audit status? Kind of sidestep the whole "W" issue?
A&P is hard, and the school I attended it was probably harder then most. At least half had to repeat A&P, a few did really well and others got by the skin of their teeth. As far as withdrawing, I am not sure what you should do, but if you have to repeat it, you will at least be familiar with the subjects and this will give you an upper hand.
Thanks for your inputs and criticisms. Im deciding to drop it after talking to my mom and much consideration. But I think my friend is trying to talk me through it into not dropping. I'll see what happens.
Anatomy class has taught me to be more self disciplined and take better notes, not for Anatomy but for my other classes as well. Before I was enrolled in this class, I didnt think it would be this difficult. After going through it, I give props to all the nurses out there for going through this and achieving your goals of becoming a nurse and helping people!
I have enjoyed my time here interacting and reading interesting things. I plan to continue interacting with you all even though I'm not a nurse(who knows...sure Im a Business major but i might be become a nurse in the future :) or BOTH). See you all later!
By the way, what is "my two cents"? Ive never heard of that slang but I hear it all the time...
There are a lot of factors to consider, but since you asked, and judging only from what you have related, I would drop the course. Then I would buy the Grey's Anatomy coloring book. Keep your text book. Look on Internet for helps. Make this course a PRIORITY next semester. This is one course you need to know.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Withdraw. See if you can stay in the class unofficially, though. The extra exposure will help :). Is the rest of the tested material from the text? That's not uncommon. Our instructor said his job was to navigate us through the textbook. There's a lot of stuff to learn and the study methods for this class are different than for other classes you may have taken. You'll get there--even if it's not this semester.
WITHDRAW.
Take the course when you have time to devote your entire life to it. I am not joking when I say that I quit my job and lived/breathed anatomy for an entire semester. It is one of those classes that "weeds" out students from nursing.
I agree GreenEyesRI. A&P was one of my most difficult courses. I took A&P with a couple very simple classes so that I could devote my time to anatomy. If you want to go into nursing you must know anatomy otherwise you can't identify anything. Talk with you advisor and find out for sure if withdrawing will be harmful to your transcript. I wish you the best in your decision.
My two cents: Our program didn't like to see a C in either Anatomy or Physiology. Is there any way you could maybe change to Audit status? Kind of sidestep the whole "W" issue?
There are a lot of factors to consider, but since you asked, and judging only from what you have related, I would drop the course. Then I would buy the Grey's Anatomy coloring book. Keep your text book. Look on Internet for helps. Make this course a PRIORITY next semester. This is one course you need to know.
These are all great suggestions! I would drop the class, but ask if I can remain to audit for the rest of the semester. It does take a great deal of discipline to comprehend and pass Anatomy. It was a nightmare for me. I also purchased the coloring book, which helped a great deal. At times, I don't believe that the deep anatomy that is given is necessary for the nursing program per se (that is just my ), but I can certainly tell you that you have to have knowledge of it in order to succeed in nursing. I had tutors for both classes, and I also took fluff classes that didn't demand so much of my attention.
Anatomy brought down two of my classes, making me a B student that semester. But, I fought like the dickens to take and pass anatomy 1 and 2 the first time with decent grades and I didn't look back.
In most cases, withdrawing does not affect negatively on the transcript, but that D will. Not only that, even a C is not competitive (but most times it is competitive trying to enter nursing programs).
I still refer to my anatomy textbooks to comprehend the disease process now that I am out of school, but I do it differently, now. I purchased an easier, more reader friendly anatomy text, and also brought a CD ROM that walks us through what is happening with the body. Now, I can understand alot better than before, and it is not under the same stress that I was under while trying to understand it in such a short turnaround time. Good luck!
If I had a D at this point I would drop. Most schools have people fighting to get admitted who have strong GPAs. You will be fighting just to get a C and that may not make you competitive enough. If you retake the class next term, you can take steps to study the material between now and then and aim for an A or B. Good luck to you.
Thanks for your inputs and criticisms. Im deciding to drop it after talking to my mom and much consideration. But I think my friend is trying to talk me through it into not dropping. I'll see what happens.
By the way, what is "my two cents"? Ive never heard of that slang but I hear it all the time...
I have officially dropped my Anatomy with a W.
As for being an audit, I am absolutely sure my teacher will let me stay in class. I dont even need to ask. My teacher and I are in good terms:)
That's right, always listen to your mama :).
"My two cents" more or less refers to how much the suggestion is "worth". Kind of like, here's my opinion, take it for what it's worth. Although, of course, here on AN, the opinions are worth much more, maybe even a nickel .
Try and get the same teacher next time you take the class. It makes a lot of difference; a lot of teachers teach the same material very differently.
I do agree that a W is better than an F, But at My school you can only have so many W's before you can't withdraw anymore or you get some other consequence i can't think of ATM.
But What's troubling me is all of you are saying A&P is so difficult. I took Basic A&P last Semester (no lab) I thought it was very interesting and did well, taking Medical Terminology helped though.
I now have A&P1 with Lab, but I think I have the basics down and will be able to fine tune everything.
GL though
Basic A&P with NO LAB is not the same as a 4 credit intensive A&P course WITH A LAB. Interesting? Yes. Difficult? HECK YES. You can't compare apples to oranges.
Many of the nursing programs in my area state that only one class can be retaken, even if one of the attempts was a withdrawal. I agree that it shouldn't be that big of a deal, but it is at many schools.
I have never seen a college that regarded a W as an attempt.
An attempt is a course that is fully completed with a grade issued or if someone took it for pass/credit and then wanted to retake it for a letter grade.
Yes, most schools have a policy on how many times you can take a course, but it's not a state, it's an individual college policy, and again, never saw one that considered a grade of a W as an attempt.
:(
), but I can certainly tell you that you have to have knowledge of it in order to succeed in nursing. I had tutors for both classes, and I also took fluff classes that didn't demand so much of my attention. 
.
ThePretender
19 Posts
I think Anatomy is very interesting and I learned alot.
I do know why this/that happens.....i just dont remember the NAMES of the terms.
What I mean of the 45% we get tested on is she would go over everything on the study guide (we get study guides. Study Guide mostly contain vocab terms and sometimes paragraphs of certain materials) and we would read/study/look over on my own as well. But on exam days, we're tested on the 45%, little chunks of materals on every chapter we covered. I know it's good to know EVERYTHING though. But at the same time I wish she would emphasis on what to focus more on.