How to pass Anatomy and physiology ?

NurseFirst · May 13, 2005

earthlovers123 said:
Hello,
I am male student nurse.
I am taking anatomy and physiology II this summer.
I really need to pass this course to be able to take nursing class in fall 05
I desperately need advice in study techniques, and strategies to pass this course
I would really appreciate all your wonderful suggestions

I didn't have it when I took A&P, but bought it after being well into nursing school: a digital voice recorder, one that you can upload to a computer. I agree with the poster who mentioned to not use voice activation on tapes--but I'm not sure if the same thing applies for DVRs, since they can buffer the voice and re-write their buffers. I LOOOOOOOVE it. It's small enough that I have it with me all the time--I've recorded (with permission) teacher-student conferences (which I really appreciate having, since that it is personal and specific information). But, uh, then I've also recorded times where the instructor said "to put your pencils down". One of my instructors actually has had me turn it off during specific stories she told :).

Flashcards--yup. Use different colors, study different systems in different locations (bedroom, library, etc.)--makes use of what's known as "state dependent memory." There are places on the web where you can find flashcards others have already made, or make your own for free-and share them, if you like.

mnemonics--definitely. Try to break the words down into their component parts--that can often help you. I had an "aha" experience when I realized that adrenal glands -- the name actually describes their location--"above (ad) the kidneys (renal)."

If you haven't done muscles--know that if you know any two: origin, insertion, movement, you can usually figure out the third. Origins are always on stable bones, insertions on the bones that will be moved; the origin and insertion on different bones and across a joint.

Have fun!

NurseFirst

z's playa · May 13, 2005

To the OP....I pmed you with the rules regarding multiple user names. Seems we can't do that after all.

As for passing ANP......I did pretty poorly so you cant ask me. I'l lbe taking in all the tips here with my next semester. :)

Z

hollyster · May 13, 2005

I have posted this response on another A&P site. Get the A&P coloring book.

It may sound silly but it works. Each system is broken down into small learnable segments. The coloring reinforces the information given on each page. It forces your brain to store the knowledge in more than one area.

You can get them at Books A Million or Barnes and Noble.

The best deal though is joining the Nurses Book Society. 3 books for $1.99.

You can order the whole set(a&p,micro,bio) and it only counts as one book.

Then you have to order two more books over the next two years. It is a

good way to start your own reference library.

Hope this helps.

Holly

z's playa · May 13, 2005

I think colouring books are awesome !! My BIO teacher suggested it when I was first going into NSG school and boy did it help. LAST semester that is. This semester, even though I passed..I was less than pleased with my mark.

Z

jennk · May 13, 2005

I totally agree!!! It definately takes constant studying time to get it! I carried a 96 the whole way through A&P, but I failed one test with a 72 and it dropped me to a B. I was so dissappointed and emailed my professor about it because I carried that A the whole way. But like she said, I should be proud of my B. I guess I am. I miss my A though!

babyktchr said:
A&P was my greatest challenge, and my greatest love in nursing school. It takes constant study time to really "get it" I really have nothing more to add to the great advice that has already been given, other than to really keep ahead of the game here. You are taking this course during the summer and its probably abbreviated, so it is going to be intense. Keep reviewing all of the time.
Much luck to you.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · May 13, 2005

EASY! Anatomy and Physiology Made Incredibly Easy by the Nursing made incredibly easy series of books! I have suggested these to students of med, and massage and they have thanked me so very much!! If it wasn't for these series of books...well I would have been very hard pressed!

They have many in the series...Fluid and electrolytes saved my hide, and IV's was so helpful too! They are simple, to the point, and have fun ways of memorizing things you need to know...Best part...they put it in way you can actually UNDERSTAND using references that can make sense to even non medics!

I used these books in tandem with my other readings..and these books gave me all the background I needed to understand all the lectures I had to endure! LOL!!!!!!!!

Trust me..you will thank me! :)

student4ever · May 13, 2005

ELKMNin06 said:
Hi!
I am currently in AP2 (halfway) and finished AP1 last quarter, so far A's;)
here are a few tips:i know some of them are the same tips already mentioned
1.)read the material before class
2.)notecards are really helpful
3.)comprehension is key...dont just memorize, its much easier to remember things if you understand how they work....
4.)here is a webiste that REALLY helped me: http://www.mhhe.com/saladin3
click on "student edition"
click on "study partner"
click on "essential study partner" -it should open in a new window
this takes you through the WHOLE anatomy course..its so helpful, you go through and its like having your own little lecture and there are interactive slides too...
also when you first go to the website and click "student edition" at that page you can also go down to the bottom and choose a chapter-there are also quizzes there as well as crosswords and notecards...good luck!

Ditto to everything everyone has said here so far. Most important is to believe that you can do it. I took A&P II before A&P I, and I was terrified (I had to take it that way because I started school in the Spring semester and they only offered part I in fall). The first class was so overwhelming. But I went home right after class and decided that I wasn't going to let it get me down, that all I had to do was work really hard and figure out the best ways to study, and I could get an A. The confidence that my own belief in my ability to get an A was the one thing that held me together. My tips include any website your textbook may have as an addition to the information in the text or any CDs that come with it. Most have practice tests and crosswords, which help you remember the information. This way, when a question on a test correlates with an extra study device (crossword, practice test, etc.) you will recall the question you studied on, and whether you got it right or wrong on your practice test, you will remember either the wrong answer and why the right answer is correct, or you will feel confident that you know it, and you will gain confidence to help you relax with the rest of the test. I didn't know about the website until after the first test (I got an 84, not too bad for the first one). I used this website to help study for my second test, and I got a 100! I'll never forget the cardiovascular system because of that! Also, powerpoint printouts from the instructor are invaluable. Don't stress yourself out, study hard, and you'll be fine!

sunshelley · May 14, 2005

When I took A&P, or any class that required lots of memorization, I did two things: 1) made flash cards and 2) wrote down all of the informtation that I had to memorize onto 1 sheet of paper (I just wrote really small..).

I made an A in anatomy and physiology 1 and 2 :)

Alloramadai · May 14, 2005

I purchased an online program called Virtual Flashcards, and after each class would type in key points for future study.

earthlovers123 · May 14, 2005

Quote
I think colouring books are awesome !! My BIO teacher suggested it when I was first going into NSG school and boy did it help. LAST semester that is. This semester, even though I passed..I was less than pleased with my mark.
Z

I am going to take AP II this summer . I dont know how the grading will be in that class but I definately try your suggestion .

I am gonna get a colouring book soon

Thank you for your advice

t2000JC · May 14, 2005

I don't really have much more to add to what people have already said but just wanted to say that it would have been nice to know some of this when i took A+P ...NOT my finest semester by any means; so it's good to see this post to help others get throught it. The biggest thing i can say has been said..DON"T CRAM! Good luck, t.

z's playa · May 14, 2005

t2000JC said:
I don't really have much more to add to what people have already said but just wanted to say that it would have been nice to know some of this when i took A+P ...NOT my finest semester by any means; so it's good to see this post to help others get throught it. The biggest thing i can say has been said..DON"T CRAM! Good luck, t.

AAAMEN to not cramming. It don't work !

Z