freaking out

[oatmeal]

Hi. I went to orientation a week ago, and we got our homework for the week before school. I spent a better part of every day this week studying A&P, and thought I could retain most of it...this morning I took my in-book quizzes, and did horribly:o. This is just the beginning of A&P, the 1st 4 chapters...I feel so ignorant, like I'm never going to get this now!! First day of school is Monday, and I already feel like I'm never gonna make it.....seriously, 6 hours a day studying, trying to remember all the names, events, chemical changes, I'm going crazy!! I took so many notes on my book that it practically reads like another A&P book. Am I the only one who feels like I took a stupid pill, or is this normal?? (I'm going to a private school, so no pre req's were required, like a&p)...please, help!! What am I doing wrong? I already know that on Friday we have a test on the 1st 4 chapters..I feel utterly hopeless...

[mel421]

When I was taking A&P I had just had my son. It also helped me as we were cuddling to think about the bones and muscles on my son. It helped me study while spending time with my son. If you have young children you are probably short on time as well. This always helped me do two things at once.

[southernbelle08]

a & p i & ii were required before i began my nursing classes. i had a heck of a time with those classes, i passed, but barely! now that i'm in nursing, it has all come together. i actually understand a & p now that i can actually relate it to the nursing process. i know that's silly, but it's so true.

not silly at all! i have been exactly the same way. i'll be in lecture and something will hit me and everything about that topic i was confused on in a&p will suddenly make sense!

[oatmeal]

xNursepinx...it's an lpn program. I go in the evenings, and have 2 small children as well..and work some daylight hours in a non medical atmosphere. last night I went to a good bookstore, and found a really nice A&P coloring book/study guide that closely follows the chapters in my school book. And although I still can't remember all the correct terms, it does help me to remember locations, and to better understand some of the text from my book. It was expensive, but well worth it. Funny how I thought that because I took advanced human bio in high school, I thought this part would be somewhat easy, lol. Boy was I wrong. Yesterday I took a break from the 6 hour study days I was putting in, and I feel a bit recharged now. There is a long story as to why I want to be a nurse that I won't post now, but I have a drive to do this without fail, so I won't be giving up. I know I can do it, just sometimes I get really frustrated that my brain won't keep up with what I'm trying to learn, lol. Plus I'm scared and nervous, as Monday is my 1st day of school. You all have given me such good ideas, and I am very thankful;). I'm sure I will post more questions and fears as I go along...

[tabswifeRN]

My a&p book came with a really neat computer program. I can tell you that most people don't use these programs but i did and passed my class with a 3.6. I worked more with the programs than the book. they really can be a wealth of information, but most people don't even bother to open the envelope they come in. such a waste.

[missninaRN]

I found it helpful to re-read my notes and flip through my flashcards right before bedtime. When I would wake in the morning, my mind would still be thinking about the material.

[tabswifeRN]

my only problem with doing that right before bedtime is that I found that I would dream about anatomy. I didn't get much sleep when I had abdominal muscle names running through my head ....all night long!

[momathoner09, BSN, MSN, APRN]

I used to feel the exact same way you do about A&P and even when I started Fundamentals. I bought a recorder and it saved my life and made my grades go up 10-20 points! I listen back to each lecture and fill in my notes w/things I missed. I try to listen more to the instructor if it is a really difficult concept and stop writing and make a note to come back to it b/c it is on my recorder. I do read in the book but I am able to concentrate on what the teacher emphasized and focus in on those concepts. You can do it- don't give up!