Did anyone find anatomy easy?

misslisa · Nov 17, 2008

I really loved loved loved A & P!!!

My good friend who is an RN - who really struggled through A & P really had it worked up to be this big deal. I thought half-way through the class, "I don't know what she was talking about...this is not hard!"

I just really felt like it came very easy for me. The memorization was CAKE to me....really. She (instructor) would go over it once and I'd have it. But, I was always going over it in my mind - just visualizing the models and the features,saying the names, etc. I also found it really interesting and relevant to myself (well, I think it would be great if the general population knew some of it too) and so I just really was absorbed with it.

A & P II was a little more tricky, but I had micro at the same time, so that may have added to it! I ended with an A though.

I know this is not the norm...but, I think it's good to hear from different aspects.

Just don't go in dreading it, you know?

:nuke:Lisa:D...someday soon.... :nurse:

Stratiotes · Nov 17, 2008

I switched from business info systems major to pre-nursing, and I'm finding A&P much easier for me to understand than economics and business classes. I think this is mostly because I am interested in the material and I actually halfway enjoy reading it.

A&P in my opinion is easier than Biology and Chemistry.

9livesRN, BSN, RN · Nov 18, 2008

I enjoyed A&P so much... ohhhh myyy Gooood...!

it was by far the best class that i have taken! way better then any other pre-req, even micro!!!

there is so much info, but all of it is interesting, it is just like learning a new language!

everyday, there was new info to learn, and new processes to understand!

i felt that A & P helped me understand the human body and its functions a lot!!!!

if i had to take those classes again, i would in a heart beat!

you need to have a great management schedule for your time, tasks, and tests, and just dive in and collect as much info as you can... my tip is to try to understand, and only memorize if you are in danger, if not... just try to understand, imagine your self like... like in a mini space ship inside the body!!!!

Dr.Nurse2b · Nov 18, 2008

Okay, maybe not easy.. but from what I've been hearing from pretty much everyone I talk to is: anatomy is the hardest subject you will ever take and it has to become your entire life in order for you to get a passing grade.
This worries me..
I'm just looking for some reassurance. I'm taking anatomy next semester. Is it really going to be SO hard that I will have to do nothing but anatomy for the entire semester? Is it even possible to get an A? I'm getting more and more skepticle about my abilities to succeed/get an A in this class as each day passes and next semester anatomy creeps closer and closer.
Thanks for the opinions

Time to start developing your Super Special Nursing Skills...

Deep breath...say "I can do this" and "This will be a piece of cake for me"

I love science and I thought A&P was very challenging. The exams are basically "You know it or your don't"

The good news is that most of the class is rote memorization. The most difficult subject matter will be cellular physiology "Cell Phys". Once you get past cells take it all one step at a time. Do not look at the whole class...tackle the material in segments.

Master the cell, then tissue, then organs, then organ systems, etc. One piece at a time...One bite at a time...this is how we eat an elephant.

If I could make one recommendation it would be to know your pathophysiology...know it cold. Learn about the Kreb's Cycle, Sodium Potassium Pump, etc...know it. The rest will all fall into place.

This is an amazing subject and as you learn more you will be amazed. This is not an education, its an evolution.

Good luck and don't stress...stress will stop you dead in your tracks. Believe you can do this...Begin the class with an image of graduation day in mind. :twocents:

av1084 · Nov 18, 2008

The school I go to teaches Anatomy separate from Physiology. I found Anatomy to be pretty easy when you invest the time. I took Anatomy with Chemistry and was happy I didn't take on a bigger course load. It gave me time to focus on the class. I found it really helpful for me to make copies of the drawings in Anatomy book, cut them out without the labels, and post them onto the big index cards. I would them label the structures a,b,c, etc. and on the back of the index card I would write what each letter was. This helped me tremendously especially in the lab tests.

peytonsmom · Nov 18, 2008

I spend virtually no time at all on studying on a daily basis -- I typically cram the night before an exam, and then go over the material one more time just before class. I'm getting an A+ at this time (there are 5 extra credit points per exam). Other people spend an hour or two every single day going over the material, and they're pulling a C in the class.

Okay, this is me too and i'm carrying a 97.2 in lecture. (please do not throw any heavy objects!) :) I have never had an issue w/ memorization. Generally speaking if I read something once or twice, it just sticks up there. If I write the info down on notecards and then go over those cards a few times the night before and day of the test, i'm good.

I think the key to doing well in A&P lecture is knowing how your professor tests. There's a LOT of info to cover on these tests so you need to have a good guess of what is more than likely to be on the test so you can study those points harder. For instance, my professor will spend an eternity in lecture going over a diagram yet he never evern puts a diagram on the test. So I don't stress over knowing the lables. He does however, LOVE enzymes. If there is anything about any enzyme mentioned anywhere, it will be on the test. Once you figure out their testing style its easier to know what exactly to study.

allnurses Guide · Nov 18, 2008

Anatomy and Physiology were split for me too. I took Anatomy first. It is challenging (or you could say hard) because of the amount of information. There is a lot of memorization.

But I enjoyed it. And liked the prof too. I worked for him after I finished Anatomy - helping with the cadaver theater and setting up the bone tests. That helped me cement the info.

steph

Ready2hittheHospital · Nov 18, 2008

I may be the only person on this thread who found A & P I and II pretty easy. I've learned that flash cards are a girls bestfriend. The only advice I can give is to read the chapter before your instructor lectures. And make sure, that you start studying the muscles, bones, and structures of the body way before your test.

GOOD LUCK..... :heartbeat:up:

GaMBA · Nov 18, 2008

"Is it really going to be SO hard that I will have to do nothing but anatomy for the entire semester?"

It very well could be. I say prepare for the worst, hope/pray for the best, and do the best that YOU can personally do to succeed in that class. I know that in my current A&P class, some (not all) of the people are failing not b/c the class is terribly difficult, but because they are just too lazy to study and read. Don't expect everything to be spoonfed to you, and make sure you ask questions and read up on the stuff that doesn't make sense to you. You, not your teacher, are ultimately responsible for your learning and your grade. I think you'll be fine. Good luck!

pr0j3ktm · Nov 18, 2008

didnt read thru all the posts, but ill just put what i think..

the endocrine system for me was the most difficult. i mean, i could explain it to you now, but during the course..it was a *****. just use flashcards..

FLmomof5 · Nov 19, 2008

My situation is a bit different.... I took both A&P I & II online. The labs were a PIA (pain in the orifice) for A&PI. I think the labs took the most time, but aside from that, I did my work Sunday evenings. So the few hours a week ya'll spent in class, etc....I probably did less. I suspect if I wasn't employed FT with kids to raise alone and all that life entails, I might have done more and done better.....but I still got an A in both. I am very lucky that the Lord blessed me with an IQ high enough to get away with this!

I will be off the next semester (waiting for the ol acceptance letter). This is my breather before the full court press. Nursing school here offers a program that is nights and weekends. I will be doing 4 straight semesters while working FT.....and I will probably be a royal b*tch for the duration! :bugeyes:

KBC123 · Nov 19, 2008

I am about to wrap up A&PI right now. It has NOT been easy. Definitely the hardest class I have taken thus far. I felt the same was as you feel.....am I smart enough? Can I really do this? Will it be my life? And the class has not only taught me about the body but it's also taught me about myself. It has given me confidence in my abilities to succeed in college. I have an A and have gotten the highest grades in my class on all my tests. I never thought I could be "that girl". But with alot of studying and knowing I needed an A it was possible. I am really proud of myself because I knew A&PI was a weeding-out class and I have managed to last this far. Just go in to it knowing you will need to invest ALOT of time in studying. Don't get overwhelmed. Take one day at a time. Read your notes EVERYDAY. If you do, one day everything will just "click"! It's really exciting when that happens! Stay positive. You can do this!!! I didn't think I could and now I'm finishing strong with an A.