I've been reading the study tips section on here but I can't quite find a solution to my problem, so I thought I would ask directly.
Right now I'm taking 1 class. A&P 1 + lab. The lab is easy, 100s on everything.
But the lecture... man oh man. To be clear, more than 80% of the 190 students failed the first exam. The highest score was an 82 I believe the professor said. I scraped by with a 74, which mortified me. Even though I technically passed, if I kept that up there would be no way I'd get into the nursing program. Minimum score is B+.
On the first exam, I studied just our PowerPoints which included notes from the teacher. I wrote out questions and answers by hand which took FOREVER. I'd spend at least 5 hours a day from day 1 doing this. I ended up running out of time and couldn't study the last chapter on the test at all.
On the 2nd test, I studied the provided study guide and not the PowerPoints. I tried various methods here. Tried reciting the guide from memory which was useless for me as I forgot everything, recorded myself reading the guide outloud which was also useless for me. Nothing at all was retained from these methods. Finally made flash cards using quizlet. Ended up making 80%, but still ran out of time. And still not good enough grade wise.
3rd test... I went all out. I made a 94. Highest in the class. The problem is it took my whole day every single day.. I made over 2100 flashcards. Average of 400 per chapter. Anything and everything in the guide and notes were used and not one repeat. My hands are still aching. I'm happy for the grade but ive never been more miserable. I'm so nervous I don't sleep. I live on redbull.
I need help... Desperately. I can't keep this up. There is no way I can devote this kind of time to a class once I actually get into the program. We are required to take 6 courses at a time, if we make below an 80 overall in any of them we are dropped. The rules are crazy strict...
Are all nursing courses like this or is it just A&P? I need tips on what to put into a card and what not to...i put terms, break down steps (like on transcription and translation etc.), random tidbits of info...just EVERYTHING. Yes it works but it is beyond time consuming. I feel like I must learn everything or else I'll keep failing with the rest of the class. I wish i could just read the notes and look at graphs and it be enough... But I'm too forgetful.
Coursehero for lectures! it provides me with example questions to help better prepare for the tests and then with rationale for the right answer so it's like little cliff notes. For lab i printed out the pages needed to memorize and got a clear cover and dry erase markers and would sit there for hours and fill in labels for the body over and over so i got the spelling right and could identify where it belongs! hope that helps!
I don't have any study recommendations for you, but here is a tidbit: I struggled through A&P-- barely passed A&P1 the first round, got a B+ in A&P2, and finally got a B in A&P1 the second round. Despite this, I have been able to effectively balance my 4 nursing classes plus labs thus far. Admittedly, I am at a different school so that could have something to do with it (my A&P1 instructor was incredibly difficult.)
I would suggest that you record the lectures. Then listen to them and rewrite the lecture notes out. Based on your comments it seems like you're overloading yourself with information and not grasping the overall concept. Drawing out the structures is also very helpful. But most importantly talk to your professor. Tell them what your issue is and ask for advise in studying. It is their job to help you don't be afraid of them.
hayhayrome
7 Posts
Coursehero for lectures! it provides me with example questions to help better prepare for the tests and then with rationale for the right answer so it's like little cliff notes. For lab i printed out the pages needed to memorize and got a clear cover and dry erase markers and would sit there for hours and fill in labels for the body over and over so i got the spelling right and could identify where it belongs! hope that helps!