Do you think this is a good idea? ...

U.S.A. Florida

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Hey all, I'm going to go to one of the community colleges here in southeastern florida starting in a month. My plan is to take english 1101 and chem1032, but after a few days in chem 1032 i'm going to drop the class but still attend. I will kind of have a "practice" class for one semester while I take my english class. So by the second time I take chem1032, for the fall semester it will be alot easier. What do you all think? I just want to get the highest gpa for my pre reqs of course.

thanks,

J

Specializes in Med Surg, ICU, Trauma.

NO, TAKE THE CLASS, Figure it out as you go. You will not do better the next time. Just do the work required! DO NOT GET LAZY ON ME!!!

Johnny

I agree with Bluejay. it looks bad on your transcript to drop any class. just wait until you're ready to commit wholeheartedly and then do it! take only this one class if you feel thats the best way to get a good grade for you. There are a ton of books out there to help you, buy extra ones if you need to. Sometimes the textbook they choose for the class is useless. Get the info any way you can, don't rely only on the book they gave you. Also A&P is NOT easy, its more than just memorizing, you have to really understand the physiology, and nursing school is even harder. Chemistry seems pretty easy in comparison. Best of luck.

Specializes in Quality Management.

Besides the good wisdom already written, consider this. Summer science classes go by SUPER FAST. You would have a hard time getting even a taste of the material because the teacher won't have time to stop and answer many questions.

Talk to the teacher now. All college professors have office hours. If you don't know what those office hours are, stop by the division office and ask the secretary. Bring a muffin and the secretary be extra nice to you. (Yes, bribe her.) Ask her if the professor likes coffee or soda and then bring him one. This gets you remembered, and as much as I hate to admit it, it sometimes gets you preferred treatment.

Your goal is to land a copy of the syllabus. Find out if the professor is going to use the same textbook in the fall and, if so, buy a used copy. Don't get the lab manual unless it's a "bundle" (because used lab manuals are almost never available).

Your comm. college Fall schedule is probably already published so you can find out if the professor will be teaching the same course in the fall. Maybe you like him/her, maybe you don't. Choose accordingly.

Anatomy is LOADS of memorization. Physiology was more intuitive, at least for me. Once you know how everything is hooked together, hopefully you will begin to see how it all works. Then when you get to Pathophysiology, you will understand what happens when one of the "gears" breaks down.

Just one more tip: If you have trouble with the cadaver in Anatomy Lab, try visualizing it floating in a giant jar of formaldehyde. If your brain makes the connection that this is a "specimen" and not a "person" you might have an easier time.

Good luck!

paganoid

CSUEB Class of 2010

Specializes in Medical/Oncology, Family Practice.

i think this is a horrible idea. 1st- depending on how big the class is, the professor may notice he's got an extra student and single you out, and then you'll be screwed when you actually want to take his class. 2nd- its not fair to all the students who pay to learn and you just sit there for free. you are paying for the prof's time and effort, and by dropping the class and still attending, you're cheating the school. Also, when you ask the prof questions, you're wasting the classes time. Most chem classes have labs too, which can make up a big part of the class. So yeah, I think its cheating, I understand if you're scared of the class, but suck it up and grow up. Everyone is there to learn, not freebie their way to a better grade.

The replies to this thread are excellent. finding a mentor or a study partner/group and taking the class once seems the better option. If you have the time to audit/ attend the class, you should earn the credit.

Another excellent point is the type of insructor for the class: some are truely gifted and motivated and willing to teach in a style that helps you learn. Other's just seem to be marking time. Seek the former by asking other students, especially those who learn the way you learn, or by auditing classes.

It is also true that many classes do not transfer well. Are you sure you are going to be in an area long enough to execute you original plan? If not or you are unsure, consider taking classes that transfer more easilly (ask around) once rather than audit them. Also, consider obtaining intermediate certifications so that you can begin to meet poeple in your field (practical nurse or paramedic/ emergency medical technician are direct, medical technicians, respiratory therapists etc are less direct).

The last point I have relates to the cost of education. You are paying the school and instructors for their ability to convey the required knowledge. You are spending your time and dollars to obtain this knowledge. Balance is crucial and your future ability may depend on the groundwork now. Just like a building with a poor foundation will fall, your ability and career may take strange turns if you fail to create a proprer foundation for your nursing practice. Find the right balance for you (which may be taking each course twice!) so that you can achieve your goals in your chosen career.

Best of luck!

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