How do you make it through the sciences?

I was not a strong science student throughout high school and disliked it a lot. I took the minimum I had to take to graduate. I had a significant break (YEARS) after high school before starting chemistry and biology in college, but it all kind of clicked and I actually ended up liking a lot of it. In fact, if you give me a choice between English, SS, math or science, I would probably take a science class now. I ended up making an A in all my science classes except A&P2 (a B). Give it a chance and don't let your previous experience taint your opinion just yet.

GOOD LUCK!!

Back when I was young and stupid, I often got through a class as opposed to understanding the material. I put a lot of things in short term memory, passed some of the tests based on test taking skills rather than understanding the material, and so on.

Now that I'm a little less stupid and not so young, I take classes with the premise that I can thoroughly understand this stuff now and have it later (or have it later with just a little review) or I spend a lot of time relearning it later - perhaps in the middle of nursing classes which are notoriously difficult.

Sometimes, I know I won't really need something later. Then I motivate myself with the premise that the more you learn the easier it is to learn. I might not need that specific thing later but I will need to know how to learn similar types of material. Or, I may not need to know the ins and outs of something later but a basic understanding of it will allow me to properly understand references to it.

Sometimes, I just have to use a few mantras. Or talk to a friend who will remind me what my goal is and not to let this sideline me.

Sometimes, I have to stop thinking about what I feel about the class or the material or similar classes in the past and just get through the next test or chapter or concept.

I was terrified to take any science courses. Being an English major with a perfect 4.0, the thought of a possible B made me tremble. Obviously, I switched to nursing. After the first week of A&P I, my first science course since 10th grade - a million years ago, I decided I would not be intimidated. First, I read the text book and reread things I did not understand, sentence by sentence if I had to, until it clicked. After the first test, I got together with another pre-nursing student and, basically, taught her the entire class! I now LOVE science and I am more excited about a semester than I have ever been. In the fall, I am taking A&P II, Chem, Pub. Speaking, and lifespan psych.

I think once you give it a chance and make the decision that you can do it, you will excel.

Also, I ended the semester with a 91.5% in A&P. At my school, a 91% in an A; so, I barely made it :) Good luck to you!!

I was not keen on science in high school or my first round of college - but going back I find it extremely facinating. I did have to supplement my micro class with extra readings on my own as some of the concepts were a bit vague and I needed to freshen up on my knowledge. Just plan for lots of extra reading time and you will be fine.

Healthcare is science-based. This is like an English major hating to read.... don't get it.

I stopped looking at it as all the sciences I had take. I started looking at the class that was directly in front of me and the homework/tests I had to attend to that day. I checked off the days I completed on the syllabus and before I knew it, the end of the semester was at hand. IOW, I didn't allow myself to get overwhelmed, for instance, that I had to take A&P I and II. I dealt with an assignment or subtopic at a time and applied myself to it. That's what got me through. And I got an A in both classes/labs. If I were to think of all that is ahead of me and how was I going to do it, I'd probably would psyche myself right out of it.

I hated science until I got to my junior year in high school. I took a molecular biology class and just fell in love with it. I think trying to like it and overcoming anxiety about science classes helped me get through them. I'm in the final stretch... just two more weeks and I'm home free.

Nursing is a lot of science, and not just during school. I was intimidated by all of the science classes at first but also knew that I loved science and would enjoy learning more. If you really hate science that much maybe you should really think about if nursing is for you. There is a reason I did not choose a major in history or english.

As odd as this sounds, I found it easier to take the classes in the summer. Becuase the classes were so short and the test were back to back you dont really have time to forget anything which gives you a chance to get the best grade. It might be one of those things where you are only retaining it long enough to pass the class but my thinking is I will retake it again while I'm on the waiting list to a brush up.

Find the study method that works for you. Study groups help many students. If your school has an Open Lab available, utilize it. Flash cards are good. Keep in mind that what works for your neighbor may not do diddly for you. The bottom line, though, is that nothing will help if you don't have an interest in the science. Something my A&P I instructor said a number of times has stuck with me:

If you don't find the science of the human body fascinating, you're pursuing the wrong program.

Seriously, that's the one thing that's kept me chugging along. Each new thing I learn in A&P fascinates me further. I'm amazed that all these things are happening in our bodies every second of every day, and they do so without us even knowing about it. It's mind blowing!

I have always liked science while in school, but when I got into college I became even more interested in it, especially biology classes like anat, physio, micro but college chemistry terrified me for some reason even though I took it in high school and did fairly well. I did well in my sciences and received a B in physio and As in the rest. A lot of students go into these science classes with negative attitudes from the beginning and it starts to show in their grades. I told myself that I'd have a positive attitude about the classes and that I would pass them no matter what because this is what I needed to do in order to get into nursing school. So if you go into it with a positive attitude that may be better. Don't go into it thinking that that you're going to fail ot not do well before you even start. I read before I went to class so that if I had any questions during lab or lecture I could ask my professors. I did any assigned and extra problems in the books and reviewed study guides. I literally studied every chance that I had. I would look over my lecture notes while walking to my next class or going to my car to go home. I just like to study every single day but for some it may be much lol. Another thing that helped me was that I always had great lab partners and we would have small study groups usually no more than like 6 people. Utilize all the resources that you have available to you like tutoring services, study groups, asking the professor questions, or going to your professors office hour. Don't be afraid to visit your professors office hours because they really enjoy that and it shows that you're serious. Science is something that you're going to have to learn to love.