HELP! I'm taking A&P I in the summer!

scrapworking · Jul 8, 2009

I doubt I'll be much help, except to say I'm in A&P I this summer too. Though on-line.

Summer classes, as you are finding out, are accelerated due to the shortened time frame of the session. If the grade for this class is counted into a composite GPA for acceptance into your school's nursing program then you might think of withdrawing and trying again in the Fall. However, if you're going to be taking other classes with it, you might do well just focusing on this one in the summer. If you don't do well, re-take it.

Some tips: if you don't know, ask. Really. If you weren't sure about a procedure on a patient, what would you do? Wing it? No, you'd ask. And ask someone in charge...ie your instructor. I doubt you're expected to know the material cold. Does the instructor give you clues as to what she thinks important or stress what you should know? Success in college is also dependent upon figuring out what your instructor expects of you/the students. Once you know what they're asking for, or how they expect something to be answered you're half way there. Can you review your test? To see where you went astray or if you misinterpretted the question? Often, you'll need to read the question a couple times. Read through all the answers, don't just stop when you think you've hit the right one. There might be a better answer later (this gets more important once you're in the nursing program)...finally read through the Q and A to see if it makes sense against what you know. On multiple choice questions you can usually toss out at least 2 that are flat out wrong. Look at what's left...you've increased your odds right there. Use your book(s). Look up any websites that you are given. Study some every day - don't try to cram it all in in one/two sessions.

I'm in my last chapter/last 2 weeks. I found that once the first test was done, I could breathe a bit easier. Good luck and don't give up. Keep forging ahead!

PS - didn't need to take Chem (thank goodness!) and Micro is worse, I'm told. Save that one for last, so it's fresh in your mind when you go into your nursing classes...you'll use it and the A & P the most - including when you sit for the NCLEX. (My BFF just graduated nursing school and sits for the NCLEX Saturday - hence the advise, she just gave it to me!)

DiamondShortay · Jul 9, 2009

Thanks for your advice! It is overwhelming in the summer. I have already completed two other courses this summer... English I & Pre-algebra (to brush up) They weren't too bad. I am just wondering if my school's A&P is harder than other schools. Currently we are doing the stuff that I consider to be boring. Cells & cellular metabolism, chemistry. My labs are even worse! I know plenty of students that have passed A&P at other schools and they weren't the smartest. I don't have much chemistry or nutrition background... So A&P seems really hard. I guess I am going to attempt to finish the class and if I fail I will just take it over in the fall. At my school if I retake the same class my bad grade & GPA will be replaced with new (better) grade and change my GPA. I am just going to take it slow and try to make the best possible grades for my prerequisites. I am not going to cram all the hard science classes together in the fall. I am thinking about going part-time just so I can focus on just a few classes. I have three kids also so I already feel overwhelmed!

scrapworking · Jul 9, 2009

Wow! That's ambitious taking more than one class at a time in the summer. Our instructor actually treats it like 2 classes, though the subject matter overlaps, obviously. She's just as tough in both though! Mine is online, so the labs aren't nearly the same as in a real classroom setting. But there's no way I'd do more than this in the summer. Add 3 kids to that and forget it! Good idea to spread out the science classes and to focus on just a few at a time since a lot of schools look at GPA as their criteria for acceptance. (I'm hearing ours wants a 3.8!) Good luck to you and don't forget to breathe!!

Sharon

DiamondShortay · Jul 9, 2009

I think I will be ok! ( I keep telling myself that) LOL A 3.8 GPA? Wow! Miami University (Ohio) Only requires a 2.5 or better. So I am good if I make C's in the sciences. I wish you the best of luck too! So what all do you have left to do? And when do you plan on starting the nursing program?

tempest · Jul 9, 2009

never, ever, take a science class in a short summer session. the material is so much more spread out in a regular 16 week class and much easier to absorb at a slower rate. Also, micro is a dog!

Phlavyah · Jul 9, 2009

after being 15 years away form school, I ws very aprehensive abou taking the AP1 course, di not knw what to expect. Currently taking it ths ummer by itself, and doig very well. ust keep a cool head and MAKE sureyu study. MAybe you could try to boddy up w another student or seek help your school's student center ry to keep a cool head and dont syke yourself out! I could be just your nerves getting the best out of you. keep us posted.

DiamondShortay · Jul 9, 2009

I had a D on my first exam. Last night while going over the answers on the scantron I found that there were a few errors. I was having a mechinal penical malfunction on the exam day! :banghead: LOL So I marked a few answers correct and I got it wrong because I didn't erase well enough. So I showed my professor today and he changed my grade! Now I have a C! I know it ain't wonderful to all you 4.0 students but to me it is passing and at my school I only need a 2.5 GPA... So I am so HAPPY! :yeah: LOL Only four weeks left! I hope I pass.... As of now I think I will be OK! Thanks for everyone's advice! :heartbeat

ChicagoICU_RN · Jul 9, 2009

never, ever, take a science class in a short summer session. the material is so much more spread out in a regular 16 week class and much easier to absorb at a slower rate. Also, micro is a dog!

Im taking it in the summer (6 weeks)...I'm doing pretty well...If you think you can do it than you can. Its alot of work but its soo worth getting it over in the summer

AccelCNL, MSN, RN · Jul 9, 2009

I had a D on my first exam. Last night while going over the answers on the scantron I found that there were a few errors. I was having a mechinal penical malfunction on the exam day! LOL So I marked a few answers correct and I got it wrong because I didn't erase well enough. So I showed my professor today and he changed my grade! Now I have a C! I know it ain't wonderful to all you 4.0 students but to me it is passing and at my school I only need a 2.5 GPA... So I am so HAPPY! LOL Only four weeks left! I hope I pass.... As of now I think I will be OK! Thanks for everyone's advice! :heartbeat

If your AP package came with CDs or with codes for use online I would advise you to use it. when I first took AP I used the the online help and study guides and I ended up with a B and a C. I plan on taking the courses over because I was chronically ill during the classes but I found that it worked for me.

It might be extra work and take a bit more time but it will serve you well.

I am actually going over info in order to be ahead of the curve in the Fall....might be nerdy but I WILL get into nursing school.

So if you got any of that extra stuff use it ....it really helps