first day of A&P

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 1, 2010

You're reading your psychology book or physiology book ? What is the first reading on ? Are you having trouble trying to figure out what you are supposed to learn from all this ?

I remember the mountains of reading I did with the first A&P class. By the 3rd/last class, I figured out that I needed to focus on my notes from lecture and lab and information in the instructor-made study guide. I would go back through the notes and try to understand what was important. Next, I would go to the questions in the study guide and try to answer those. After getting the correct answer from the key, I would go back and work on those questions I didn't understand by reading that particular part of the book.

It was easiest for me to skim the book ahead of the lecture and then go back after to lecture to focus on what the instructor emphasized.

beingthankful · Sep 1, 2010

Take a break. A small one. Stretch your legs, go outside, get some physical activity. (Even if it's just a brisk walk around the house) - you'll be amazed at what the physical activity can do for your focus.

Switch gears. (I too had A&P yesterday & wanted to die & have psych today) - see if there's a companion website to your books. If so, go explore those for awhile. You'll still have the benefit of learning your material while hopefully picking up some new sources.

Have a snack, if you're hungry, you'll get distracted. If all else fails, WALK AWAY. You're going to spend more time reading the same thing over & over & wondering why you can't stay focused rather than actually taking in the material. Come back a little later ready to go....

JonB04 · Sep 1, 2010

thank you. and i was reading my psychology book i didnt buy my A&P book yet right now im just looking at my outline also im getting information online

gr8txrn2b · Sep 1, 2010

Hi there...I just started my second week of A&P and I was overwelmed too at first. I found that prereading each chapter before class is very helpful. Even if you don't really understand what you are reading it will help when the teacher break it down further in class. That way you can learn the layout of the book and you can better manage and follow him or her better while they're teaching!

StudentNrseMcFarland · Sep 2, 2010

I took my A&P classes a few years ago, so this may be old advice, but I'm reteaching myself using my books and study guides now and starting from square one.

It's overwhelming at first for sure- especially because I had NO background or similar classes. The hardest thing for me was the portion of the tests where I had to identify or label parts. It was latin to me (really! & figuratively).

I bought a good, but inexpensive, set of flashcards and took the system class focused on that week EVERYwhere- the gym, the car, the bank, work, waiting to meet friends- and reviewed them.

Also, if you don't have a science background and you find you're struggling, I highly recommend a companion book like A&P for Dummies or How the Body Works, or another book that "dummies" the subject down. Often, you can find these types of books in the Borders' sale section for 50% off. It helped simplify my textbook in terms and concepts I could understand.

Good luck!

JonB04 · Sep 2, 2010

No school monday so i have 7 days to read the first to chapter i need to retain it

yisy4u · Sep 2, 2010

Wow..I'm sorry to hear that. I had my first A&P 1 lecture last Saturday and I really loved it. I read the 1st chapter before going to class and everything felt really familiar afterwards. I haven't even looked the book again since then. Besides, the professor is just excellent, and explains things in a way you can understand everything.

I agree with karma1girl about Pre-reading. I read and take notes of what I believe is important, after that I have a better idea of what the professor is talking about. My Lab class wasn't that successful. The professor barely speaks English, and his teaching method is really poor, I guess that having a good professor makes a great difference.

I just wish you the best, and hope you get to love the class as much as I do. I cannot wait until my next class, sadly this Saturday we have no class :crying2:

Witty3RN · Sep 3, 2010

I had my 3rd A&P class this week with my first exam next week over the first 3 chapters. I read the chapter before going to class, take notes during class, and make full use of lab.. I seem to be understanding the material but I do take some time and read over my notes in bed at night. I take this in the evenings as night class so we meet once a week for lab and lecture afterwards 4:00pm - 8:40pm so reviewing my notes a few times a week hopes to keep the material fresh. Good Luck!

KaTers419 · Sep 3, 2010

I know the feeling, I am in my second week of A&P II. When you hear people say that II is easier than I it is. So far I understand everything that is being talked about. Mostly because I already have knowledge of some of the meanings from I. What I can suggest is get a recorder and record your teacher. I started doing that and following along again with my power points at home, it has helped out a lot. In I, I did the reading the chapter before class and that also helped out but towards the middle of the semester I didnt have a lot of time to do all of the extra reading. Do the quizs in the book at the end of the chapter and re read your power points. Those tend to have the most important info on them.

iPink, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2010

thank you. and i was reading my psychology book i didnt buy my A&P book yet right now im just looking at my outline also im getting information online

This is your first mistake. You should have bought the book before school started and just look through it. A&P1 isn't "hard", just a lot of memorization, but still need to keep on top of your reading as it will help in A&P2. Like I said in other threads you've started, start getting to know your classmates to form study groups. Most of them are heading into the medical field as well, so that can be your conversation starter.

gtshin30303 · Sep 3, 2010

I agree with poster above that you should buy the textbook in advance and start studying before the semester begins.

Another mistake is that you spend too much time on this forum. I see that you made many posts here in the last month or so. Stop wasting time on the internet and start studying.

Other hints from a someone who made A's in A&P 1 and 2 are:

Read the chapter in the textbook before the lecture. That way, the material in the lecture will be familiar.

After class, rewrite the lecture notes. Make flashcards or cover parts of the notes with one hand and try to recite the covered parts.

Practice questions from old tests or quizzes from previous semesters, from the book, or from the study guides on the internet.