History trouble

Published

I am taking three classes this semester and all of them are online classes. I thought for sure that my biggest trouble would be my algebra class and I've mad all 100's on my quizzes and exams in that class. I've also made perfect grades in my comp class.

History of Western Civilization is another story. It seems like the instructor doesn't really specify what parts of the material are most important and expects all of the material to be practically memorized. I have a test tomorrow and I know that I'm going to fail it because I have read and studied the material but I can't memorize the dates and names as well as I think she wants.

Does anyone else have these problems? I'm just so bummed because I've always been so good at history. I'm worried that I'm already hurting my GPA.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I hate History, just wondering why you would need it for nursing school. I dont think I could become a nurse if I had to take History myself, the sciences are hard enough but put History in there and YUK!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
I hate History, just wondering why you would need it for nursing school. I dont think I could become a nurse if I had to take History myself, the sciences are hard enough but put History in there and YUK!

From what I can tell, most ADN programs don't require many general education classes (history, literature, philosophy, etc.) and focus more on science and nursing. BSN programs include all that science and nursing PLUS general education courses - that's what makes a Bachelor's degree what it is - a liberal arts education with a major in one specific field, like nursing.

I hated history, just hated it!!! I have no idea how I passed Western Civilization my freshman year. It had to be pure dumb luck, because I never really read the book. History just bores me to tears, I have no idea why. We had to take two semester's worth of history, the first being Western Civilization. The second semester we got to choose a specific course - and I chose a scientific history course. It was wonderful!!! We learned all about scientific inventions (pasturization, vaccines, antibiotics) and disasters (Bubonic plague, influenza) and I was enthralled each and every day.

Do you know if it's going to be multiple choice or essay? I found that with college level history, multiple chioce tests are the kiss of death. There is just too much information to memorize in a short amount of time. Essay tests are better, because you can expand on what you know and kind of bullshit the stuff you are unclear about. But it's certainly easier to explain things in your own words than to memorize entire history books for things like dates and names...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.
From what I can tell, most ADN programs don't require many general education classes (history, literature, philosophy, etc.) and focus more on science and nursing. BSN programs include all that science and nursing PLUS general education courses - that's what makes a Bachelor's degree what it is - a liberal arts education with a major in one specific field, like nursing.

That's why I don't understand those who diss nurses with ADN's. They may be lacking some general education credits but have the same science and nursing training that a BSN does.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm sorry that History is giving you trouble. I'm the queen of flash cards for most things. You could put them in order by year and use colors to signify people or battles etc. I also like to correspond the colors with hilighting info in my book and notes. Using colors really helps me study in all subjects. I've had classmates tease me about my little pencil bag full of glitter pens and hilighters but after they try it they get results. I don't know your situation but personally I don't like online classes because I feel the interaction of a classroom and hearing lecture improves info retention. Although I find it interesting that math online is going well for you. Are you good at math or is it just easy online? Please share !

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating Room.

I'm taking my 2nd of 2 required History classes.

I love reading about History, but I HATE learning about it.

My instructor uses a question pool. The questions are not geared from my book, therefore, I've had to go online search for the terms given to us, and find out about the important aspects of the terms. (Found that out the hard way with the first test....made an 82. I made a 92 on the second test.)

I think my book is a basic summary of things. BAD, BAD book....it really bites!

Anyway, I feel for you. Try to stay focused, and motivated. Don't start your exam on a negative note. Maybe you know more than you think. :)

Stay postive!!!!!! good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

The problem I had with Western Civ when I took it years ago was that it was more than just history. It also included benchmark events, discoveries, etc that affected the spread of human ideas. So, Western Civ is not just a history course. It also has a good deal of anthropology and sociology thrown into it as well. I made time lines and listed important events and discoveries in chronological order. This is where some memorizing tricks will work. You have to kind of make up your own little stories to bring the right memory up. My instructor was big on mapping and we had maps to label for the "known world" at various times over the different centuries. All we could do was memorize this stuff.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The questions are all multiple choice. I guess I was having a bit of a pity party for myself. The material is like someone said very broad and has a lot of sociology and anthropology added to it. The teacher allows you to take quizzes three times and then she averages the three grades together for that quiz grade but you only have 15 minutes to answer 30 multiple choice questions so you better know the material. Then for the exams she allows you to take a note card with writing front and back with notes. She also allows you to make up missed quizzes and exams at the end of the term.

I did email her last night and asked her about skipping the exam and told her that my six year old (who has autism) had been sick with strep throat and had been stimming for several days (not very conducive for studying). She told me to concentrate on the upcoming material and then I could make the exam up at the end to save my grade. I suppose I should consider that my one reprieve and not expect it to happen much lol.

As far as taking Math online. I have always been super terrible at Math and Algebra. You're talking to someone who took Algebra I three times in high school. I did finally finish Algebra II and Geometry but I didn't retain any of it. I do love taking the Algebra online. If I grasp something then I can move on quickly. If I am not absorbing something then I can spend several days working problems over and over again until it clicks in my mind. I'm lucky because my husband is also in school and he has finished calculus and finite math classes with straight A's so he gets it all and can explain it really well one on one probably better than an instructor could. I really hope to get to take as many of my math's online that I can.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion