How to prepare for CHM and BIO class? haven't been to school in years

2ndxstudent · Jul 6, 2009

LOL You sound like me my first time around in College. I avoided chemistry and biology but now they are some of my favorite classes. (okay biology but not chem) Which level bio are you taking? As for chem, I say brush up on your algebra skills. Maybe buy an older used text book and start looking through that.

Marlene39 · Jul 6, 2009

I just finished BIO201 at Gateway and hadn't taken a science class in about 20 years. It was really hard to get the memorization down for me. BIO201 is a combo of learning the names and placements of bones, muscles, brain and nerves, and how body systems work. You'll learn about histology, joints, muscle contractions, and the nervous system. The lab will be mostly just looking at models of bones, muscles, nerves and in the beginning looking at slides of epithelial cells, muscle tissue, nervous tissue under a microscope. The first test will be on histology (the slides), the second on bones, the third on muscles, and the fourth on nervous and brain. They may break these exams down further during the standard semester (I took it during the summer session). What I did was to take my camera into lab and take pictures of the models. Then I labeled the models on my computer and printed them out to study from. Since spelling counted, I took spelling tests to practice. I also spent a great deal of time in the learning center looking at the models and working with the tutors there. I got 100% on all my lab tests except one (bones were by far the hardest), so it is doable.

I've still got all my model pictures if you want me to forward them to you. I passed them out to all my classmates so they could study them as well.

I spent a ridiculous amount of money on extra books, flash cards, and a coloring book for this class and didn't use any of them. Between the textbook and the internet, I had all the info I needed. There is a bit of chemistry in this class, but if you are taking them at the same time, you should be good.

As for preparation, you can look over the text book, but I think it will be hard to understand without being in the class. The textbook has an amazing online resource with cool videos of everything you will need to know. You might watch some of those videos. They are under the Physio section. Definitely get a new book with the subscription and the extra books it comes with. I got a used copy and ended up needing to spend the extra money on the other pieces. I think I spent just as much as getting the new book package.

I've got to go, but if you have any specific questions about BIO201, please let me know. It's all fresh in my mind!

Marlene

MTTMPE · Jul 7, 2009

"I spent a ridiculous amount of money on extra books, flash cards, and a coloring book for this class and didn't use any of them. Between the textbook and the internet, I had all the info I needed. There is a bit of chemistry in this class, but if you are taking them at the same time, you should be good".

I did the same thing. I bought all of extra stuff, coloring books, A&P for dummies, Tiny Tim and clay for bones and muscle. I only used the book and the internet. I got a B in A&P, I was so happy:yeah:. I know some people get A's but, i was happy with my grade, you hear me. i went to the club

I also, got a B chem and a A in Lab. Surf the net, it has plenty of test questions to study, work guides, and the book site too. I think that i have plenty of sites on A&P I but, chem i don't. The biggest thing in Chem is the formulas to convert ( mL to meter). It was hard but, only because i didn't have a background on Chem other than College Algebra.

2ndxstudent · Jul 7, 2009

Ditto on the previous posters. I spent a lot of money on extras. Although I did find the flash cards helpful. (for A&P) Also if you are going to gateway you can reserve anatomy models in the tutoring center. This helped me tremendously. When you do your tests on the anatomy, you will be looking at actual models so it helps to practice on them. I cant say much for chemistry as I had to drop it last semester because my workload was too much. From what I did get from the class it is a lot of conversions.

cna to crna2b · Jul 8, 2009

i would suggest one at a time. these classes are hard and take a lot of studding. i was out of school for ten years and the first class i sat in was chem 130 and it was hard. i worked hard and got an a. memorize the periodic table and also the polly-atomic ions before chem starts you need to know these to succeed in the class.

Lmarko · Jul 12, 2009

Thank you so much for all the great feedback! I'm already confirmed to start CHM130 in August but I just found out that in order for me to take BIO201 I need to take a waiver test since I took BIO in high school and not in college. If I take it without preparing there is no way I will pass so should I try to get a study guide of some sort to prepare to take this waiver or is it in my best interest to take one of the pre-req classes for BIO201 and then take the class? I'm eager to get on the waitling list but I don't want to get in over my head (since I haven't been in school in so long).

Marlene39 · Jul 13, 2009

What school are you going to? I took Bio in high school (24 years ago) and the advisor just signed off on it. I also had a lower level bio class in college, so maybe that made the difference. I went to Gateway. I don't feel like I was that behind because my bio was so old. Chemistry, yes (also took this about 20 years ago). I couldn't for the life of me remember what K+ and NA+ were and this was important for the nerve section. I got them confused throught the entire class. But it wasn't that big a deal.

Lmarko · Jul 16, 2009

I am taking CHM at GCC north and will be taking the waiver exam for bio next week. Any tips on preparing for this waiver? There's gotta be some type of study guide or "cheat sheets", I gotta study up quick:)

Marlene39 · Jul 16, 2009

There are books out there that are almost like Cliff notes for science. I have one for A&P that is "Anatomy and Physiology Made Incredibly Easy" that just has a little bit about everything. I'm sure there are ones for biology as well. I got it at Barnes and Noble. There are also the "for Dummies" books. You might want to check the library.

Good luck!

Lmarko · Jul 16, 2009

Thanks for the input. It did mention on the school website that the book "Biology: Concepts and Connections" is what they recommended as a study guide. Anyone looking to sell? I see a few on craigslist so I'll check those out.