This is long, but if you read and can help me understand... I will greatly appreciate it!
A little background:
I am currently taking Intro A&P as a summer class. For my particular LVN program, we are allowed to take this class in advance of the program (with or without acceptance to the program) to substitute for A&P for AH. I opted to take the summer class for several reasons - 1) opens up a huge chunk of time on Fridays while my kids are at school for studying or me-time or whatever, 2) one less thing to study and memorize and learn with everything else going on in the program and 3) I felt it would give me a little bit of an academic advantage, having studied this subject before the core program classes that build on it.
Out of 25 people in my class, 18 are Fall LVN Program students... presumably for the substitution option. (I don't know why anyone would do this route otherwise..)
That said, a good deal of my class mates are failing.
We have a separate lab that makes up 25% of the total final grade (avg of 4 tests), and from what I can tell by their own account, the majority is barely passing even the lab portion. We have had 2 tests so far with class averages below 50% on each, and a test coming up on Tuesday... final exam is 7/22.
After the last test, the usual 'how did you do' conversations arose... (we are allowed to keep the test paper and given an answer key once we turn in our scantron) I was disappointed in my grade until I found out my 81 was one of the highest... Of course, I got lots of questions about how I study, etc... and I gave up my secret (study outline at the end of each chapter closely mirrors the test questions.. but we were told this on the first day)... and I actually read every page of every chapter at least once... take notes in class (and don't miss class)... but I only STUDY those outlines for the chapters we are testing on...
My confusion (and the point of this terribly long post) is how anyone could spend that much money to PAY to be in school, and not do the reading... not make the effort to learn the material.. Why bother at all??
Is this an indicator of what to expect in nursing school? I know for a fact that one of my classmates is in the same program location as I am (there are 5 options for the program, my A&P class is at a campus for a different location than my program... same college though).. but I really feel for the other 16 people in this class going in to the program... A&P isn't nearly as tough as some of the subjects we will study (based on posts here and friends/family who have been through the program) and you just can't blow it off until the day before/day of test... Why take the spot if you're not committed enough to put the time in to studying...
I know I am making assumptions... and I know what that often gets a person.. lol.. I'm just trying to understand and thought maybe other students might have a different perspective. It's too late to form study groups and such for this class (only 4 meetings left, 1 of which is final only)... but perhaps I can learn a way to help a fellow student if I see this in the Fall... if for nothing else than I hate to see someone do themselves in...
Or maybe I just need to not worry about what/how others are doing? LOL If that's the case, just come on out and tell me..
As an aside, I have never taken a college level science class before and would never recommend anyone take a summer science class that wasn't prepared for the sheer speed of the class... let alone the subject matter to be learned quickly in just 7 weeks. I took a huge chance on this class and if I wasn't able to do as much study time as I am, I probably would have wasted my ~$700 by getting in over my head.. It is pretty overwhelming to learn this much in such a short time!
Ziggy'sGal, you and I have the SAME question! I'm experiencing the same sort of thing right now. IMO I think it has ALOT to do with the fact that many people haven't hammered out a learning style. Or rather THEIR learning style yet. And then sometimes your style may not work anymore because of the nature of the course.
I always find it interesting when ppl say things like don't worry about anyone else...because that's really impossible. In a course where there is a curve especially, you need to know who's around you to be able to gauge how well you're doing or will do.
And at the risk of being callous, there may not be anything you can do to help them. At this point they're going to have to be honest with themselves on whether they can pull the grade that they want/need. But as far as the fall term coming up....
You may be doing well in the class because since this isn't "your 1st time on the block" as it were, you are better able to "overprepare" - as in, you knew it was awhile since your last science course, you went into it with a gung-ho ready to go attitude it seems. Plus you actually listened when the teacher said that the questions would come from the outline.
There's a myriad of reasons why they may not fare as well, but most don't really want the help. ITA with Saysfaa on a lot. I honestly think though that some ppl feel like it's enough to just come to class, but don't read a thing until test time. It's too late by then especially during a summer session.
My goodness - what an interesting thread. Seems to have been derailed a bit with the side issue of LV vs RN pgms. But I do have some personal insight, so I'll just wade on in. I am a graduate of both -- LVN & BSN programs therefore, I have experienced both environments - and taught at both levels. My observations are my own - and probably should not be generalized.
In the interests of complete disclosure - I chose to obtain an LVN first because I was switching from another career - and my (very patient and supportive) husband encouraged me to "see if you like it" before making another foray into baccalaureate education.
For the most part, my students in the LVN program were coming from a different 'place' than RN students. Many were the very first in their families to aspire to a post-HS education. There were family issues galore - younger students were frequently expected to stay home to provide childcare for younger siblings or care for grandparents. Married students had a great deal of trouble with spousal insecurity because their educational goal would upset the balance of power in the relationship. They could not participate in study groups because they absolutely had to be home and have dinner on the table by 5 pm! I can distinctly recall a student who frequently slept in her car whenever her husband became abusive -- she graduated & ended the marriage afterward.
My LVN students were not as self-directed or goal oriented and expected a much higher level of direct guidance and supervision. Study skills were pretty much limited to 'memorization' because they had no prior reason to develop higher-level learning (conceptual mapping, critical thinking, etc). LVN instructors (myself included) had to provide much more structured learning tools and very explicit directions than RN instructors.
That being said, some LVN students rapidly 'bloomed' and showed phenomenal growth by the end of the program. We took great pains to make sure that they were encouraged to continue their educations and obtain their RN degrees.
I don;t think you meant to be condsending in your post at all but I guess my question is who cares about others peoples grades? I mean as long as your passing your doing good :) also what school lets in people that are flunking out?
I understand its nice to help people and to receive help, all I was stating was it wouldn't be something I would let myself be distracted by. When I stated what school accepts people taht are flunking out I meant taht at most schools if you get an F in a pre-req you have to re-take it, not start nursing school so if her classmates were failing then they wouldn't be her classmates in nursing school which was a concern that she wrote about.
beingthankful
90 Posts
Ziggy'sGal, you and I have the SAME question!
I'm experiencing the same sort of thing right now. IMO I think it has ALOT to do with the fact that many people haven't hammered out a learning style. Or rather THEIR learning style yet. And then sometimes your style may not work anymore because of the nature of the course.
I always find it interesting when ppl say things like don't worry about anyone else...because that's really impossible. In a course where there is a curve especially, you need to know who's around you to be able to gauge how well you're doing or will do.
And at the risk of being callous, there may not be anything you can do to help them. At this point they're going to have to be honest with themselves on whether they can pull the grade that they want/need. But as far as the fall term coming up....
You may be doing well in the class because since this isn't "your 1st time on the block" as it were, you are better able to "overprepare" - as in, you knew it was awhile since your last science course, you went into it with a gung-ho ready to go attitude it seems. Plus you actually listened when the teacher said that the questions would come from the outline.
There's a myriad of reasons why they may not fare as well, but most don't really want the help. ITA with Saysfaa on a lot. I honestly think though that some ppl feel like it's enough to just come to class, but don't read a thing until test time. It's too late by then especially during a summer session.