Frustrated

cityknitty_RN · Feb 15, 2012

I had a very hard time in A&P. Acutally, I had to take both A&P I and A&P II twice as I got C+'s the first time around for both classes. Don't worry, you can do it, and you can still be a great nurse despite this. It takes some time to figure out the best way for you to study in a class like A&P. Instead of focusing on reading the details, try to study by understanding the big picture. (This helped for me anyway...it just took me awhile to find that out!)

I know how defeating this can feel... don't worry, you can do it!! :w00t:

leenak · Feb 15, 2012

Go to your professor's office hours and see if they can help you identify what went wrong. Are you having a hard time understanding the questions? Hard time memorizing it all?

tnosler · Feb 15, 2012

I am taking A & P online and we meet once a month for 4 hours to do the months labs. Probably half of the class is failing. With it being an online class, the factor of the instructor's teaching ability is taken out of the equation as there are no lectures--you're basically teaching yourself. I have a 101% right now but I study for a couple of hours most nights. I use all of my resources--my text, the disks and websites that go along with my book. I have came across a few youtube channels that I use alot if I dont understand a concept. Sometimes it takes me hearing the same thing a few ways before it clicks. Most importantly, quiz yourself. Do assesments online or from your book. Like I said, half of my class is failing. A & P is hard but I LOVE it. It's facinating to me the way the body works... You shouldnt feel bad about yourself... it's still way early! My advice is dont depend on your professor to teach you... use all resources avaliable and keep reminding yourself that if you master A & P now it will help you in your nursing classes! Good luck! Let me know if you are interested in knowing any of those youtube channels!

nguyency77, CNA · Feb 15, 2012

Aw, I'm sorry

I think the best thing to realize is:

Time Invested in Studying DOES NOT equal Good Grades.

While it's great that you were studying a lot, I think you're not studying in the right way. You should ask the teacher if you can look over the test questions.

Ask yourself:

1) What kind of questions does this teacher like to ask? Are they questions that have choices like "B and C only"? Are they more real-life application problems or does this teacher only like to ask about definitions?

2) What did I study for this last test, and did any of what I studied actually end up on the test?

CDEWannaBe · Feb 15, 2012

Physio is so much to learn that you might not do well cramming the last few days before the test. Try to look over your notes every day for a few minutes.

The first test with any teacher is difficult because you don't know what to expect.

It's helped me a lot to find youtube videos on different topics. Also ask your teacher for any memorization tricks. There are a bunch of mnemonics and other tips that med students have made up over the years.

What material are you covering now? We had first Physio test last week and it was kind of an overview of Anatomy, Chemistry and Biology. Topics covered on first test were: organ systems, cell structure, cell respiration, chemical bonds, pH, solutions, diffusion, tonicity, homeostasis vs. equilibrium, biomolecules, membrane proteins, and transport mechanisms.

Is that pretty normal for the first month or is my class easier than what you're doing? I'm taking a community college class taught by a physician. Had the same instructor for Anatomy and she is excellent, very concise and to the point. Feels like I'm getting good preparation for nursing school, but it's hard to know since I don't have anything to compare it to.

magen · Feb 16, 2012

Thank you everyone, it really helps to know I'm not alone!

@tnosler - I would LOVE to know what youtube channels you use!

I went to my teacher's office hours and explained my frustration and the way I studied. Her advice was that isntead of using the study guide to prep for the test, use it during lectures/reading to help understand the material. So I'm going to try it that way. I do at least a little studying every night, but I haven't been using the study guide along with my reading & replaying the lecture. Hopefully that helps.

@CDEWannaBe - yeah, that's the same material we had on our exam.

tnosler · Feb 16, 2012

Glad your instructor could give you some insight. Here are 4 youtube channels I frequent:

khanacademy

bozemanbiology (for a high school advanced placement biology class but helped me ALOT)

ThePinguinProf (this one has a few "how to study A and P" pointer videos that really helped me!)

SimpleyAandP

Good Luck!

nursingschool* · Feb 19, 2012

You did the right thing by talking with your prof. First exams are always the hardest. Learn from this one and adjust. 40 hours over 4 days is a lot of studying so maybe consider spreading it out.

Feistn · Feb 19, 2012

http://www.khanacademy.org/

Under Biology, look for topics that are covered. I recommend this site for math review as well.

Another thing you can do is get one of the "for Dummies" book. Check out books from other courses/colleges... there may be that book out there that really makes you "get it." We beta-tested Visual Anatomy and Physiology by Martini, and it seemed pretty straightforward. Also, don't forget those Anatomy and Physiology coloring books that are sold in bookstores and used by Med students, so that they're simple enough but detailed enough.

Also, find a tutor from a previous section if you can. That person should not only have a good handle on the material, but also what kinds of questions the teacher will ask.

Since you're studying an awful lot, I would also consider HOW you're studying. One online service I like a lot is Flash cards, vocabulary memorization, and study games | Quizlet. You can make your own flashcards, play "space race," and even look up flashcards from other students. Another service you can look at is Studyblue.com, and you might even be able to find information from your specific class. I would also recommend either taking a course or buying a book on effective study. As others have stated, the amount of time is less important than the QUALITY of time.

CinDRnyc · Feb 19, 2012

Don't fret Physiology is very difficult to grasp. I am a very visual learner so when I have to learn anything with a cycle or pathway like in most physiology subjects I draw it all. I used markers, colored pencils, coloring book etc. Any visual thing I can find really helps me to make it "stick". Try some new studying techniques, they may be unorthodox but you'll be surprised what actually helps in the end. Everyone is different. Keep working at it and don't get yourself down. Just remember if you work really hard and succeed at the end you will feel so much better b/c the subject was very challenging for you versus easy.

Best Wishes! :redpinkhe