Having hard time with Pre-Reqs

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Ok a little about me. I am 32 and yes a male, married with two lovely girls. Anyway I went to nursing school back in 97 and dropped out (was 23 and didnt know better) well retaking my pre reqs now and find it impossible to memorize the stuff for A&P 1 have lab tests and the lecture teacher says read Chpt. 8-10 well **** that is like 75 pages or more, I can read three and cant remember or understand what I have read. Anyone have this prob.?

Thanks for the website, and the study tips.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

Try taking notes while you read and only go for twenty mins withou taking breaks. I hear the brain only pays attention for 20 mins...ever catch yourself daydreaming in class? And what class is only 20mins???? Taking the notes while you read with not only help you pay attention to help you understand better, but then later read over your notes. Its like getting a triple dose.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

Although this is helpful, all schools use differnt boos.

I AM A SENIOR AND I HAVE 2 MORE SEMESTERS TO GO. SO WRITE THIS DOWN OR BOOK MARK IT.

http://rmoskowitz.tripod.com/ap1_lecture_notes.htm

THIS WEBSITE OUTLINES EVERY CHAPTER OF YOUR A&P BOOK.

REMEMBER A&P IS VERY IMPORTANT! ESPECIALLY THE HEART STUFF.

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Well, I am almost done with Micro, then have A&P 2 to go, I got a B in A&P1, and a B in Psych, so I guess its going pretty good. A&P 2 and Chemistry left then I will be done with the pre-reqs. Yahoo!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

A&P I worse than trying to learn a foriegn language, it actually is another language and it is all memorization, flash cards, coloring books, outlines, drawing, models, halloween skeletons hanging on your wall, it all ands up to a working knowledge.

Ted

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Specializes in Peds.

Hi,

I didn't have as much trouble with Physiology as I did with Anatomy (don't ask why!)

I used the old trick I used when I did Chemistry (by far, my weakest subject of all the physical sciences. I do math better than I do chem!):

Write.

Pages and pages of stuff.

Reading stuff won't help with memorization and recall.

Writing will.

It's an old method - but a tried, tested and true method. Heck, it helped me pass chemistry!

Keep your chin up, guy. You're doing a good job :)

Thanks,

Matthew

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http://rmoskowitz.tripod.com/ap1_lecture_notes.htm

That is a great link Maxs! And it will work no matter what book you use at your college. My anatomy and physio teacher published her own notes that we had to buy, they were so helpful and they were basically the same as what is in that link.

I DO NOT read the book. I pay attention in class, take good notes, re-write my notes into flash cards, make mneumonics of processes that are difficult to remember, use the anatomy and physio coloring books by Kapit and spend all my free time n the open labs.

I got A's. Don't study hard, study smart. I spent much less time studying thab most of my classmates and I usually made better grades b/c I know how to organize my time. Ie, I think reading the book is usually a waste of time, although I do use the book as a reference for looking up things I need further explanation of.

Good luck.

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GOOD ADVICE:

Don't try to strictly memorize the material. When it comes to anatomy and physiology you have to understand the concepts. If you try to memorize everything then first of all you're probably not going to remember everything come test time, and secondly, and probably most importantly, you'll forget most of it by the time you complete the class. If you study to understand the concepts then you'll learn more; you'll be able to explain it to yourself and others. You can't explain it to others if you just memorize it.

I know that as RNs you don't really dive into the extreme depths of anatomy and physiology but if I ever run into a situation where it helps to know what I'm dealing with or a sitation where I can explain something to somebody, then all the better.

Okay, so that's my advice mixed with my opinion, but nonetheless it's better than just trying to memorize.

Oh, and if you think you have it rough, I had to take ANA 209 and PGY 206 last semester, and the school I transfered to is making me take A&P II. I do find this stuff interesting though, so yipee for me I guess.

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I just read the above reply, and just had to second that idea. I've never taken a college level science course, but this fall I am going to start Lecture/Lab course, in preperation for Antaomy and Physiology. I'll have to keep this in mind when studying for things. If I try to "memorize" everything, I got bogged down, and can't remember anything by the end, nor does my studying get completed in a timely manner. I figured this out a few terms ago, and slowly changed my ways to understand the larger picture, the concept, and not be so nit-picky about the details. I find I actually rememebr it better this way anyway! This post just reinforced that in my mind, as I was having odd feelings about my first major science course EVER. But I'm more excited than anything...now I Just need to register. ;)

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Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

i think that if you take a quick look at the latin language, it will help you understand the words

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I just started anatomy this semester ,while I have not taken a test. I feel the same way you do about the class I'm a little overwhelmed. I think it's because the class is so important to my nursing career, I stressing myself out.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Keep in mind this thread is almost 2 years old

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