In regards to pre-req's, should I take two Psychology classes in the summer?

rumwynnieRN · May 23, 2011

I don't know what the school or classs is like, but I've taken 3 upper-level psych classes in one semester. If you can handle it, and you've had a good background in psych before, it shouldn't be a problem. However, if this is the first time you're taking any of them, take out the lifespan development. A lot of it is a repeat of intro to psych, and it'll be easier after you take psych.

casi, ASN, RN · May 23, 2011

A lot of schools discourage students from taking that many summer courses. Summer courses tend to be very intense due to time constraints.

Since you aren't working it might be very doable to do.

FrogKissingNurse · May 23, 2011

i wouldn't take more than 2 classes at a time during summer school. remeber these are very condensed classes. you are learning about a weeks worth of information each day. also medical terminology is a lot to take on. it requires memorization. i told it in a normal semester and we learned about 75 words a week. had class 2x a week. the first day we learned the words the next day we got tested on them. i wouldn't recommend that as a summer school class unless it was the only one you were going to take. if you need to get all these classes done over the summer i'd recommend doing more than 1 summer session... good luck!

mkjh · May 23, 2011

How long is your summer semester? Here it is the same length as a regular semsester, or you can do two minimesters.

I'd take the two psych classes together. Some content will overlap. (I majored in psych though, so I was taking 4-5 classes together)

Med term isn't hard, but LOTS of memorization. It depends on if you've been in the medical field before as to how intently you'll have to study.

janee214 · May 23, 2011

I think its a good idea. Most of the information in all three of the classes tend to over lap. Just be prepared for tons of homework and tests that could likely be all in the same week (or day if your really unlucky). If you think you can handle all of that then I'd say go for it. Save the med terms for later and double check if you even need that course as a pre - req. I graduated with a BSN 2 years ago and didnt need that class.

lrlat · May 23, 2011

If you are intent on taking 2 ..I would take Life Span and psych...leave Sociology for Fall. I have had all 3 and can warn you it is going to be ALOT of reading. But those 2 are similar. Sociology has completely different theories though, that is why I would seperate.

Msasada · May 23, 2011

I would say to do them separate. I am at ccbc and i took psych 101 and 103 separately and im glad I did. There is alot in human growth and development that you learned in introduction that will help you along the way. Do Psych and Sociology, then in the fall take human growth and development.

jesskidding, LPN · May 23, 2011

Psych classes were some of the easiest class I have taken. I think you will be fine taking them together. I would, however, wait and take Sociology in the fall. Sociology is completely different (I hated Sociology) from pyschology. I would also wait on Med-Terminology until the fall because there are a LOT of terms to learn and I can't imagine learning them all within a shortened summer class.

Make sure you don't give yourself to much to do. You want to keep your GPA up!

noahsmama · May 23, 2011

I think you'll be fine taking all three at once, if you have good study habits. Psych and sociology are pretty easy if you're good at memorization -- I actually tested out of Sociology without ever taking a class in it (the nursing school I went to was willing to accept a CLEP exam in lieu of the actual class).

I would skip the medical terminology class unless you know for sure that the nursing school(s) to which you're planning to apply require it -- most don't. You'll pick up the terminology along the way. I do recommend purchasing a good medical dictionary -- I have Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, and recommend it.

Good luck!

digoe74 · May 23, 2011

I would say you could do the two psych classes and even the soc class too, but I would wait on the medical terminology -- that is a lot of memorization and better to not just cramp it in and end up not retaining it in the end. As long as you have only school to concentrate on -- take advantage of that... I think the three classes you mentioned are doable! Good luck !

Heidi the nurse, BSN, RN · May 23, 2011

Another thing - how many credits is each? Probably 5 quarter credits on the psych and soc, but what about the med term? I found that to be a snap because I had worked in a vet clinic and knew a bit of Latin. It all depends on what your back ground experiences are.

I kind of agree with taking intro to psych separate from the human development - you will get lots of important background information.

BTW, while earning my first bachelors degree (in art history), I went to summer school full time every summer during my 4 years there. They are faster paced, but the only one I really had to work hard at was the German classes, despite having had a year of German in high school.