How did you get an "A" in anatomy?

[Diver Dude]

Successful students please share your wisdom. This would not just be the super smart, but those like me that have to work for thier grades. I'm a 42 year old male who has about a 3.6 gpa so far and am looking to maximize my gpa for preparing to apply next year.

I currently have a coloring book, flash cards, and a positive mental attitude.

Thanks for any ideas, advice, etc.

[9livesRN, BSN, RN]

dude,

anatomy is so damn interesting! there is no way you will fail it!

just flash card it, memorize it, and have lotsa fun with it

[benegesserit]

Pay attention to what the teacher says will be on the tests and the content of the first test. In my class, there were people who probably knew more anatomy than I did who did worse in the class because they concentrated on trying to memorize the whole book rather than just learning the areas the teacher had specifically mentioned, which is what was actually included on the test.

There will be more than enough information to learn as it is - don't make it harder for yourself and spread yourself thin by doing more than you need to!

[9livesRN, BSN, RN]

anatomy is an awesome class...

people make a big deal of it, but it is not hard, i mean, it is stuff that you do want to know, it is not borring, it is all interesting things..

and please never forget sympathetic and parasympathetic!!!!

even look it up and familiarize your self with that so that you can grasp it !!!! because

there are 3 main answers for anatomy/phisiology class

1- sympathetic

2- parazympathetic

3- through diffusion

lol!

[osagarese]

I am taking A&PI in the Fall and am very nervous, but I found this website from my text book and it is very helpful I already know all the parts of the heart. Try it out, try the demo it is very interesting.

www.mhhe.com/biosci2/anatomyrevealed/

I believe that this will help me out a lot and maybe it will help you.

Good Luck!

We will do fine. Just study hard.

[Nurse Salt]

I got my A the old fashioned way, I studied my *** off!!!

[pharmgirl]

The only thing I can add to all of the above posters who offer fantastic advice is to never walk into class not completely understanding the previous class lecture. AP seems to build, i made sure that before I walked into class on Thursday I completely understood Tuesday's lecture. If I didnt, I found help because each lecture is a building block to the next.

Good Luck and like Csantos said, it is a fascinating subject, albeit lots of work its great fun!!!!!!

[txnursingqt]

I used all the sites that were mentioned here on allnurses. They helped me tremendously in A&P 1. I got a B in lecture and an A in lab. I took the class during the summer and it was tough but I will swear by using the websites I was told about and by taking pictures in lab and studying those when at home. You will do great!

[Zookeeper3]

I invested something rare in nursing school.... time.

We had a list of reading for the week, while some skipped through, I slept little, read it all, then pre-read for the next class so I wouldn't go in dumbfounded and could ask questions. you can do it!!!! many of us have:bow:

[missmatched]

A good ear/eye for latin is helpful. A lot of those muscles, etc. have latin names. I also visited lots of A&P textbook sites and tested myself over and over. Getbodysmart is a good one. Another thing that has been helpful is to really learn the material and not just memorize it because everything is interrelated. For example, typically, Na and K, are never in the same place at the same time (whether your talking about neurotransmitters or circulation). Flashcards are great, color-coded for any categories you find easier to remember(mine with bones were accdg to areas of the body, skull, limbs, thorax). Didn't use a recorder on this course but for Micro, those antimicrobial drugs are way too many.

The rest, hard work and attention. Come to class with some idea about the material, listen to the lecture. good luck.

[salr]

I did my A & P1 online last summer. It was very intensive and tons of work; 3 to 4 quizzes and tests weekly, 2 lab books, 5 objective Q's for each chapter. It drove me bonkers !!! I was trying to keep my head above the water as I wanted an A. Nevertheless all my quizzes and tests cld only give me an aggregate of 87. With my instructor's grading for the discussion, assignments and lab books, I managed to end up with 92+ and got an A. I made the mark though I nearly died .... lol.

I would read the whole chapter once , run through powerpoints and search for notes and quizzes in the internet. Spend a whole lot of time on my studies. So far it has been worth the effort.

Always give it all!! Whatever the outcome is not within our control. Good luck !!!

[in2ICU]

I had the highest grades in both A&P I and II classes. My routine:

1. I read the chapter before the lecture.

2. Recorded the lecture. Did not take many notes at this time, just paid attention.

3. Replayed my recording and took notes at home.

4. Made a thorough questionnaire out of the main points the teacher was emphasizing (it is much easier to find emphasis on a recording).

5. Studied the questionnaire.

6. Went to library/learing lab to study the mannequins for lab exams as needed.

So if you think about it, my exposure to the information was maximized: I read it, I heard it in lecture, I heard it again in replay of lecture, I wrote it down in notes, I had to really think about it to make up the questionnaire, I read it many times on questionnaire. After doing all that, retaining the info is a breeze.

I realize it sounds like a lot of work but once you get into a routine, it's not bad at all... and it's interesting!

[cokeforbreakfast]

In your spare time, listen to A & P podcasts by Dr. Cizadlo. They can be found on the St. Scholastica website (www.css.edu) or on iTunes.

Good luck!!!