How to get a head-start in Anatomy Class for Fall 08?

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Hi all! :nuke:

This fall quarter I will be starting my first anatomy class (my school teaches anatomy and physiology separately) and I was looking at the A&P books I have so far to try to get a head start. I decided to start making flashcards and kind of do a self-directed crash course in A&P, but I now see that there is a HUGE amount of info to cover :bugeyes: :eek: so I don't think I can achieve alot this summer.

My mom thinks I should just try to make as many flashcards as possible in the time I have left (and not focus on the big studying) so I can focus on studying this fall (and not have to worry about making flashcards). However, I'm wondering if there are some critical parts of Anatomy that I should get started on learning (like the cell ect.).

I really scared about this class now :( and I'd love some advice as to how to get the best head start. Any words of encouragement would be great too! Thanks! :D

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Hey there!

You should take a visit to your local bookstore (maybe Barnes & Noble?) and pick up some anatomy flashcards (Netter's Anatomy Flashcards are good), and maybe even a coloring book.

The flashcards are nice and laminated, with really good clear pictures....and this would save you time from making homemade ones. Also, a coloring book is great because it gets you accustomed to where certain things are (muscles, bones, etc).

SparkNotes also has a line of "SparkCharts"....they have a great anatomy chart with helpful diagrams on it.

Visual representations are really going to help you out.....and doing this over the summer will give you a good advantage!!

Remember that anatomy is alot of memorization, and the terms, etc can get confusing so keep yourself organized.

Try and become familiar with terms such as dorsal, lateral, ventral, caudal,etc.....and also zoological roots.

Knowing zoological roots can help you immensely. For example, the root "derm" means skin...so anytime you see a term with "derm" in it you'll know at least part of what that word means!

Please take a visit to www.doctaj.com ....There is an entire zoological root section, along with lots of great anatomy practice tools.

GOOD LUCK!

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Specializes in bachelor's in Spanish seeking a BSN/MSN.

I don't think that making as many flashcards as possible is the best way to get a head start for studying, because in my experience, the act of making the flashcards then using them is part of the learning process. If you make them now then don't touch them till fall, then you'll have forgotten the cards already.

How about asking your fall anatomy professor for a copy of last year's syllabus? Then you can get a better idea of how the material will be covered and you can go from there.

You're doing a good thing by starting studying now!

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Go to Barnes & Noble/Border's/your bookstore and look for an A&P coloring book. They have been soooooooo helpful to me!!! I have this one: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Anatomy-Coloring-Book/Wynn-Kapit/e/9780805350869/?itm=1 as well as the seperate Physiology coloring book. They have different types books so look through them and see which one you think would be best for you. *I* just happened to like The Anatomy Coloring Book and The Physiology Coloring Book.

Did you already buy your texts for class? I don't know if it's like this at your school, but mine there has been a few times where I have spent a fortune on books and I ***NEVER*** found myself using them! You WILL need them for A&P, though! You could start flipping through the texts and reading the chapters. You could also get some A&P flash cards like the others have suggested.

Good luck! :heartbeat

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

For something a little more fun and relaxing but still helpful buy one of those anatomy and physiology coloring books. It really helps. Opps the above poster already mentioned that.

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Start memorizing the names of the bones and anatomical positions. This will help you learn the anatomy of the body and alot of things will make sense to you. Thats my opinion anyway. The hardest part of A&P I for me was the muscles (mostly the physiology part though).

Good Luck! I am in A&PII right now through the summer and whew I will be glad when it is over, one test a week is a killer.

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

you can read what i posted on the ap1 thread the rosetime website is great for that

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Specializes in student; help!.

Read this book. It won't make as much sense to you now, but believe me, it'll help tie things together in a huge way once you're in class. I'm done with A&P and only after reading the book do I feel like I really *get it*. I got it enough to do well in the class, but not in a real-world way, kwim? Now I can apply that knowledge because of this book. He's wonderful .:redbeathe

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Thank you all so much for the great advice! :D:heartbeat

I'm going to look up all the things every one suggested (I'm already getting a coloring book as my school requires it). The Netter's cards sound amazing! I've worked my way through both Chapter 1 of the two A&P books I have (one is more basic, one is way advanced, to me anyway). I did several self tests and I did well, still its only Chapter 1 with basic things like crainial & caudal, basic body cavities ect., so I know thats no indication of how I'll do. Does anyone have any specific tips on how to memorize ALL those bones? I guess I'll take it one major area at a time (skull, ribs ect.). Thank you all soo much for all the help!! I so owe each and every one of you!! :heartbeat:heartbeat

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Thank you all so much for the great advice! :D:heartbeat

Does anyone have any specific tips on how to memorize ALL those bones? I guess I'll take it one major area at a time (skull, ribs ect.).

Hi Maria,

I'm taking A&P by correspondance at the moment and there's lots to know so I understand your anxiety. Kudos to you for trying to get ahead of the game. Everyone has a different learning style, but one thing that really helps for me is finding applications to real life. For example, I went to the ballet the other day, and those dancers have awesomely defined muscles. I was identifying their gastrocnemius, deltoids etc. Also, I will think about the muscles and or bones involved in different movements, such as: going on pointe involves plantar flexion of the foot, rising onto the distal tarsals using the flexor hallicus longus etc...Am I nerd or what? I've also heard of people writing names of bones on their bodies...which could be great fun. I do yoga as well, and I'll think about the bones and muscles and their placement while I'm in a particular posture.

I'm not much for flashcards and that sort of thing...I have to make it real.

Anyways, don't know if this helps, but I wish you luck!

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I am trulay enjoying this thread as I start A&P in the fall as well. The more info the better.

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I met with a career advisor today who suggested to me that it would be extremely helpful to take a medical terminology course prior to taking A&P. I'm going to just get a medical terminology book at the library instead of taking a course.:twocents:

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