How to Pass Anatomy and Physiology 2 in the Summer

TheNursingdoll, CNA

So you've approached the thick of your prerequisites, Anatomy, and Physiology? Somehow, you're either retaking or approached this milestone during the Summer. There's a feeling of motivation, confusion, and fear. There are countless resources available, but it doesn't particularly tell you where to start. As a student who has taken AP2 over the Summer and I've had quite the experience, one filled with headaches, tears, and a pleasantly happy ending. Here are my tips for taking this course during your Summer semester.

Pick the Right Professor

Picking the right professor is crucial for your success in your Summer class. In personal experience, many of the good teachers were available! Check websites such as rate my professor to make sure you're getting the best professor available!

Get Ahead

Before starting the Summer semester, there is usually a 2-4 week period when there is a break available. If you are going into AP2, it is best to try to know everything up to cardiology, the endocrine system will be the first to study for the lecture, and the blood is going to the section that you learn in your lab section. When getting ahead, be sure to have a notebook handy to jot down notes. Resources such as WyzSci (what I used) will break down the material and better explain the physiological process, which makes up most of the AP2 course.

Study Hard for the Cardiovascular Chapter

I won't lie, the cardiovascular chapter is the hardest chapter I've ever studied for in AP2, for the P-waves down the how the heart travels! This chapter is very important as it makes up most of the midterm. If your teacher tells you to read the numerous grueling pages, do it as it will be beneficial in the long run if your teacher teaches by PowerPoint, even better!

Take Advantage of Extra Credit

Anatomy and Physiology 2 is a very grueling class. There are usually bumps and bruises throughout the course, so if your professor gives you the opportunity for extra credit, take it no questions asked! From my experience, extra credit was coming into a live session to review test questions or watching videos and writing a paragraph about it. You'd be amazed how this adds up during the end of the semester.

Find Time For Yourself!

It may seem crazy to suggest this when you have an 8-week class, but this is crucial to your sanity and success in studying. Take care of yourself by sleeping (easier said than done), eating right, and doing what you love to do. I had to learn the hard way as all I did was study, stress, and ended up with a couple of ER visits.

Study but Don't Cram

This is a very crucial tip. When it came to the 8-week course, I would study and read materials given by the professor for at least 3 hours (broken down into 45 minute sessions). By studying, I would go over it or practice quizzes given by my anatomy book excessively (As I didn't have enough time to make quizlets). I would do this at least a day or two before my test. I have seen students cram, and it had terrible consequences when boiling down for midterms and finals.

Online Class Tips

Due to COVID-19, I had to take my AP2 class online. The format was very intimidating, and I was worried about the teacher-student contact surrounding the online course! I wrote a few tips to help students taking AP2 online!

1- Time is Crucial

When it comes to AP2, your quizzes and tests are timed with usually 10 minutes and maybe ten questions for quizzes and 1 hour and 10 minutes for tests with about 55 questions. In my experience, we couldn't even go back to change answers. Make sure you time yourself crucially when it comes to this because I spent at least 3 minutes on one question, which added huge anxiety.

2- Don't CHEAT, EVER

In many of the online classes that I've taken for science, there were always a group of students caught cheating after the midterm. Cheating during an online course is pretty much you destroying your future! Yes, anatomy and physiology tests and exams are hard, but the act of cheating is very foolish. AP2 is fundamental in health programs. Take time to learn the material no matter how hard it may be at times.

3- Ensure You have a Good Internet Connection

While taking an online class, make sure your internet connection is good. In many cases, technical difficulties may occur, which can greatly alter your class experience, depending on how forgiving your teacher is against these things. In experience my WiFi had gone out several times during the span of the course , even during the midterm

4- Stay in Contact with Your Teacher

In online classes, you can still forge a good relationship with your teacher. Don't be afraid to ask questions, schedule meetings to see where you are, and make an effort with the material. Try to contact your professor at least once or twice a week, and if possible, try to set up a progress meeting after every exam, this helped me tremendously.

And ... Remember

Don't beat yourself up!
Test the waters with this semester!
Don't rush the process!