Published Apr 3, 2008
cafemocha33
35 Posts
i'll be starting my pre-reqs. this summer gearing for the rn progam. can anyone tell me how i can start preparing myself for the bio classes? is their anything i can start reviewing on my own before my summer classes start?
thank you!!
AZMOMO2
1,194 Posts
I saw a book at Barns & Noble book store this weekend when I was there that was over by the PSAT/SAT CLEP test books that said something like, " Biology" all you need to know in one book. I looked through that and since it'd been 15 years since my last bio class I wish I had found that before I started classes but then again, they really do start again from scratch if yhou have to take an Intro to Biology for Allied Health as I did.
Thank you for that info. I'll be heading to Barnes & Noble to see what they have.
Thanks again. :)
AlishiaRN77
287 Posts
Hiya!
I'm taking Bio 181 now, general biology. I purchased the Cliff's AP Biology at Barnes and Noble and it's helped me out tremendously. The initial chapters in the book go over very basic things. Once we got to the middle of the semester, we began going over a lot of things that are indepth. If you can get mitosis, meiosis, genetics down......that's where a lot of the information is. Also look at Cellular respiration, photosynthesis as well. Good luck to you. =o)
thank for that info. if i can just start preparing on my own with things they focus on. then maybe i won't have such a hard time with it when the time comes.
thanks again for that info. it's going to come in handy! :)
Dream2BANurse
175 Posts
Hiya!I'm taking Bio 181 now, general biology. I purchased the Cliff's AP Biology at Barnes and Noble and it's helped me out tremendously. The initial chapters in the book go over very basic things. Once we got to the middle of the semester, we began going over a lot of things that are indepth. If you can get mitosis, meiosis, genetics down......that's where a lot of the information is. Also look at Cellular respiration, photosynthesis as well. Good luck to you. =o)
I'm in general biology right now and we just went over those exact things! Definitely study the cellular respiration/photosynthesis, meiosis, and mitosis.
sweetsmuckers
95 Posts
hi there!
in response to your question, to prepare for a biology class, you would want to buy some sort of biology books from bookstores such as barnes and noble. it will at least give you a headstart. and definitely use the internet. there are a bunch of biology websites that are made by students and professors that help other students (such as myself). although i am done with all my biology classes and pre-reqs, i still look back at my old biology books because it is never boring to me. i never sold any of my books because i like to read it when im bored...lol...i know im a geek but i cant help it...
and good luck!
dee78
550 Posts
I've been out of school for 6 years and I'm taking online classes so I felt that I needed just a little boost to get me prepared. I started reading my old A&P textbook a few weeks ago but wanted something more.
I just bought The Complete Idiots guide to A&P. I like it so far. The guy doesn't believe in memorization so he teaches you ways to connect the information. I've read mixed reviews on all of the study guides but this is the one I was able to find and so far (CH 1) I'm pleased with my decision.
I also bought Statistics Demystified. Again, I read mixed reviews but that one seemed to be the best from the reviews.
There are lots of study guides at the bookstores. Their websites have customer reviews that are somewhat helpful. I say somewhat because of seem to get mixed reviews. But everyone learns differently, some might have expected miracles out of the book and were disappointed when it didn't happen. So read the reviews and decide which one will be best for you.
There are also websites that can help you. I found one for A&P that I'm using to help prepare for the class.
thanks to everyone for posting your tips! all of your information has come in handy. i'll be heading out to barnes & noble this weekend to check out some books.
thanks again!!
9livesRN, BSN, RN
1,570 Posts
go online and read as much as you can! great materia available for refreshment of your memory, and it will ease up your brain so the class can go smooth
tinybabynurse
96 Posts
I think it depends on which classes you are going to be taking, and which ones you've already taken. If by Biology classes, you mean A&P and Micro, not General Biology (assuming you've had General Biology), then you could probably just be sure to read the first 2-3 chapters of your textbook in the weeks before class starts.
I am almost finished with A&P I and Micro right now and there was definitely some review in the beginning...however, the instructor assumes you know the stuff from Gen. Bio and doesn't spend much time on it. This was especially true for A&P...the first 3 chapters were mostly review of Gen Bio. It had been 15 yrs since I had Biology so I was VERY glad that I had read those chapters before class started.
Knowledge is power (and helps you get a better grade!), so it sure wouldn't hurt to check out Barnes and Noble too. Good Luck!