Extra Books/Materials (that aren't required)

mamayogibear · Aug 4, 2011

As a single mom that works part time I have more important bills to pay than buying 'extras' for classes and I managed a 4.0 in all my pre reqs and co reqs. I would always write out my own flashcards to study from and draw flow charts and diagrams to study from too. A few students offered to pay me to make them a set the second term of A&P and by the time I was done making the flash cards I had things memorized. Although it is time consuming the repetition of writing notes then writing flash cards will help you learn things more than just looking at flashcards. The same with the 'coloring books' for anatomy, just get some blank paper and colored pencils and draw your own. I'm just hoping that studying for nursing school is the same since I don't learn by just reading and looking at things, I have to be more interactive than that.

Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN · Aug 4, 2011

I'd love to be able to thoroughly learn the material that way, but I don't have the opportunities to do much of that because I have a 4 year old brother and 1 year old sister that do not leave me alone for nothing. I can go to my room, but they bang on my door or make lots of insane noises throughout the house on a daily basis. I usually go to the library and study, and having these, I feel it's going to be a Godsend because I rather have all the material right in front of me to access key points, and not have to spend hours on end writing at the library, instead, I can whip out my stuff and get it done! I highly admire you for that though, so I hope what I'm saying didn't come off wrong. Congrats and the 4.0 by the way! I've just seen where a lot of others have used these types of materials and it peaked my interest. :)

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Aug 4, 2011

Everyone learns differently. Some people need the supplemental material as it presents the material in a different light. Momayogibear engages in active learning which is why she makes the flashcards and diagrams. This learning style works for her. So, I guess I am saying you will have some that will say yes those materials helped me a lot while others will not. It is completing dependent upon your personal learning style.

BelleNscrubs04 · Aug 4, 2011

I always buy supplemental books. I learn well by reading but reading the same text over and over gets boring. I also like to see/read about things in different ways. It helps me to understand and remember. In order to keep costs down I often look through the books at Barnes and Noble while I enjoy a latte, and only buy my favorites. I'm don't like to use my time making too many flashcards unless it is for something that is just memorization and I love to read so it works for me. I also use my public and school libraries. They usually have lots of these type books too.

The dummies books are great for learning a broader, simplified version of the subject if your textbook is too detailed and complex. I recommend learning/ understanding the corresponding chapter in the dummies book and then reading your textbook. I wouldn't buy a "breakdown" book for a subject that's textbook wasn't too complex though. I also like supplemental books that include easy to remember pictures or mnemonics.

absngirl · Aug 4, 2011

I would use youtube to explain material that I was having trouble with and it helped a lot!!

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2011

I like those "Dummies" and "Idiots" guides. Sometimes if the textbooks are too dang dry and filled with info that you don't need to know, a study guide can really help you get to the point quickly. I used an Idiots guide to algebra to test out of math. Use your Dummies book now to get a head start and help with your studying later. The flashcards may be helpful to prepare for tests/quizzes.

Saysfaa · Aug 4, 2011

I'm another who does better making my own study materials rather than buying ready-made ones... with a few exceptions. Most important, I find the process of deciding what is important enough to go into a study guide and organizing it is much more helpful than reading someone else's study guide. I find making up test or discussion questions more helpful than reading someone else's. Second most important, is the benefit of using movement instead of more visual. Even though I'm very strongly visual, it is still very helpful to use the other modalities.

I've bought the optional books for math classes a few times but not used them. I still think the solutions books would be useful if you get a prof that isn't as helpful and/or available as mine was or your college doesn't have as good of a math help room. I also think extra problems would be helpful if you are like my son who can't redo problems because he remembers them.

Since I don't remember them unless I redo it immediately, I just redo assigned problems when I review or when I need more practice.

The other exception is the coloring books for anatomy and less so for physiology. I have made my own of those also but have found it only effective when I do rough sketchs to remind me of what I got through the main learning process. The coloring is active, it is also visual due to the colors, and I notice a lot more details. I've found having coloring books from different publishers is helpful. It is probably not worth buying them a bunch of them new, I did well with just Kapit's when I was taking the class but I really like anatomy so I've collected several since. Some are a good or better than Kapit's and I like the different perspectives, some are quite worthless.

ashulee89 · Aug 4, 2011

Hi,

I didn't have alot of money to spend for books, but me and my sister did whatever we needed to make the content stick.

I'm not sure where you are, but if you have a half price bookstore anywhere NEAR you i would take advantage of it. I saw alot of my level 1 nursing books there for like $10 a piece. Wish i wouldve checked there when I started level 1! They also have a ton of A&P study guides, books, etc for cheap.

I also second the youtube recommendation. In A&P i aced every single lab test because of youtube. And now I use it while studying for nursing stuff as well.

I took pictures of EVERYTHING. Models, graphs, etc. I registered with walgreens photo section on their website and they would send me emails everytime they had a sale on printing photos(which can be quite often). Then me and my sister would pay like $3 for a ton of photos to label and test ourselves with.

Bottom line is that you can come up with some really creative and smart ways to study as opposed to buying books. and if you have to buy books because you dont have time to draw or label, keep your eyes peeled for sales. You'll be surprised how much you can save.

Hope that helped :)

tag2007 · Aug 4, 2011

I have the kaplan a and p flash cards and I loved them. They really helped me get through A and P II. I also bought the A and P for dummies workbook after taking A and P as a refresher. I think it has been helpful as a refresher and to get some concepts to really stick in my head.

Oh, and I also hit up youtube alot and have found some nice educational videos on there as well. If you can, take pictures of the lab mannequins with your cell phone to look at later. This helped me.

Lastly, check out www.quizlet.com This is a nice website where you can make online flashcards and also use the flashcards other people have made. I used this website along with my Kaplan flashcards and this helped me with the anatomy portion of the class.

Good luck! I'm sure you will do great with all of this preparation you are doing.