Do you think this is too much to do?

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I am 40 and have a 5 year old, a husband and a full-time job. I plan to take A&P I starting in January and A&P II this Summer. *If I get accepted into school I would start this August. The only question I have is about taking Microbiology. I have to re-take general biology first since my coursework from college is too old according to the local community college rules. This means I would be taking Biology and A&P I together which seems doable. However, I question taking A&P II and Micro at the same time. By then I will have my CNA license and will be trying to work one shift per week there to get some experience. So I going to plan to switch my full-time job to 30 hours a week but will still have all of the other stuff going on. Does it sound insane to try and take both A&P II and Micro in the midst of all of that? If I don't do it pre-program, though, then I worry I won't get it done and won't be able to graduate. I taking it very seriously when everyone says that nursing school alone is so overwhelming that I honestly do not believe I'll be able to add another set of academics to that situation. Any thoughts?

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It would be very manageable during the school year, but not during summer session. I took the A&P series during the summer and spent 2-4 hours a day in class (depending on how patient I was in lab, so usually 1 hour in lect and 1 in lab), and about an hour a day to study. Now that was the absolute minimum effort possible to put into the class and still get 100% for the semester, most students put 6 hours a day into the class. To throw micro in there too, and to have a family, and to work ~40 hours would be very hard to do and get good grades even if you are a strong student. Can you do one of those summer I and the other summer II?

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Ah. I just caught the August bit. I guess if you get accepted then you have to take them both in summer I. It's doable, but you will be having one heck of a busy schedule. Please go on a vacation either before or after that madness(depending on available time) to allow yourself some decompression time. And since you'll be doing that only if you are in a program, you may be able to shoot for B's instead of A's and that lower 10% goal really takes the edge off. Good luck, and stay sane :)

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I took both A&P II and Micro during a regular semester (along with having a husband, house to clean, 2 kids, and a part-time job). I survived, but it was tough. The summer courses usually are more crammed, so I think it depends on your ability to manage your time.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.

I took AP2, Micro and General Psych (all online) during a summer session. It was one of my hardest semesters because of how short the summer session is. My AP2 lab reports turned out to be around 18 pages, taking me at least 20 hours *a week* just to write up, not including actual lab time. Micro was less. But of course, they both had reading, test studying, discussions, papers and all that fun stuff to do in addition to labs. I was up at 6 am and very often not away from my desk until 10 pm. I don't work and my hubby happened to be home on short term disability so he did a lot of the cooking for me. I did nothing but schoolwork the entire summer.

I normally don't discourage people from taking on a heavy course load (I tend to take on a lot myself), but be very careful...your grades could suffer if you do. You have time to find out, so plan on those classes for spring and if you get in, then take the summer ones like you have planned and do your best. If not, then spread them out and make the load a little lighter on yourself.

Whichever you decide, Good Luck!!!

~SD :)

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It really depends on so many factors, some of which you won't know until you're in the classes. I decided to take AP1, micro and org & bio chem this semester, total of 14 credits. I am doing very well in the AP and chem, but am struggling with the micro. The instructor expects a high level of understanding/detail and the tests are probably the most difficult I've ever taken. Even though I'm not working and have no children (just a husband, house, dog and volunteer job at the local hospice) I find myself pretty maxed out with school work. I am holding onto my 4.0 in my prereqs if it kills me. It's hard to find time to spend with my husband, do something fun, cook a nutritious meal, etc., but I keep reminding myself that it's temporary and I will have time to breathe again someday.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

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Specializes in ICU, ED, ER, Family Practice.

I took A&P I in an 8 week course this summer and am currently taking A&P II and Microbiology together. Unlike the last poster, mine is flipped, my A&P professor expects the high level of understanding and detail and our exams are multiple choice, short answer, and essay exams. However, because he has made us learn it so well, my Micro class is a breeze. We just finished our 2nd exam this past week. First exam was mostly review from A&P I and second exam was review from A&P I with a bit of A&P II thrown in (thankfully we're doing immune system in A&P II while discussing bacterial and viral genetics in Micro). I have a hubby who is military and works long shifts plus will be deploying my first semester in nursing school as well as 2 boys. Mine are a bit older than yours is, but you can put your 5 year old to bed earlier and use that as study time! Make sure your hubby is available for any support you might need and I bet you would do well!

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hey! I have some more questions for you guys while your anxiously waiting. Do you think its possible to finish all the pre-reqs for the traditional program in a year? (summer,fall, spring) i took a bunch of AP's which cover a lot of the pre-reqs but they dont give me points for those so im retaking them all anyway

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Specializes in LTC, Med-surg.

^ That would depend on the course load and how good your time management skills plus available funds you might have. I know for me, my financial aid does not allow me to take summer courses without putting money out from my own pocket. That is such a waste of AP classes! I took 3 and got credit for 2 of my AP classes. I was so happy but I can't imagine taking a "bunch" and not having them accepted. That would crush me. o_o Waste of time and money.

Anyhow, while we are on the subject of schedules. Does anybody think this is too much to handle for the Spring semester?

General Chemistry II - 4 credits

English Composition II - 3 credits

Statistics for Social Sciences - 3 credits

Introduction to Cultural Anthropology - 3 credits

Seminar for Professional Nursing - 2 credits

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That's a 15 hour course load which is a standard 4 year college load. Provided you only have 1 with a lab I think that sounds entirely reasonable **as long as you are not trying to work more than maybe 10 hours a week or so.

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^ That would depend on the course load and how good your time management skills plus available funds you might have. I know for me, my financial aid does not allow me to take summer courses without putting money out from my own pocket. That is such a waste of AP classes! I took 3 and got credit for 2 of my AP classes. I was so happy but I can't imagine taking a "bunch" and not having them accepted. That would crush me. o_o Waste of time and money.

Anyhow, while we are on the subject of schedules. Does anybody think this is too much to handle for the Spring semester?

General Chemistry II - 4 credits

English Composition II - 3 credits

Statistics for Social Sciences - 3 credits

Introduction to Cultural Anthropology - 3 credits

Seminar for Professional Nursing - 2 credits

whoops didnt mean to post here wrong thread..i took about 9 AP's but its fine at least i got to kind of experience a college course load. I think your schedule is fine for someone who doesn't work at all or works very little.

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