How to Study for Summer Nursing Class and Anatomy and Physiology ?

jkaee · Jun 17, 2005

For my A&P classes, I used index cards to study and memorize all the things one must in order to pass the class. For example, when we were studying the musculoskeletal system, I'd have the name of the muscle on one side of the card, and on the reverse, I'd have all the info about the muscle (the movement it made, the ligaments/tendons attatched to it, etc). It helped because I'd could carry them around alot easier than the A&P book, and it was more organized for me to study that way. With my nursing classes, I kept a binder of loose leaf paper. While I was reading my textbook, I'd take notes in the following order

1) Disease

2) Pathophysiology

3) Sign and symptoms

4) Medical treatment

5) Nursing care/diagnoses, any complications

This really helped me to keep organized and study better than just reading the textbook. It's also things that you can keep around for future reference. Hope this helps, and good luck to you!

RN_Jen · Jun 17, 2005

For my A&P classes, I used index cards to study and memorize all the things one must in order to pass the class. For example, when we were studying the musculoskeletal system, I'd have the name of the muscle on one side of the card, and on the reverse, I'd have all the info about the muscle (the movement it made, the ligaments/tendons attatched to it, etc). It helped because I'd could carry them around alot easier than the A&P book, and it was more organized for me to study that way. With my nursing classes, I kept a binder of loose leaf paper. While I was reading my textbook, I'd take notes in the following order
1) Disease
2) Pathophysiology
3) Sign and symptoms
4) Medical treatment
5) Nursing care/diagnoses, any complications
This really helped me to keep organized and study better than just reading the textbook. It's also things that you can keep around for future reference. Hope this helps, and good luck to you!

I use the notecard system too, and it works great for me! I like your idea of the loose leaf binder....gonna try that one when I start nursing courses in August!

unc005 · Jun 17, 2005

I've never taken these two classes together as I took a basic A&P course the summer before I took A&P I(Fall '03) and A&PII(Spring '04), and I got *all* of my pre-reqs. out of the way before entering the program last fall(but I audited due to financial and personal reasons but got back in for *this* fall---yeesh! LOL!). However, everyone's different, their circumstances are different, etc. Believe me, I know...my Dad passed away during the Fall '03 semester(10/03/03) and well...I had to be full-time for insurance purposes, wound up dropping *every* class but the A&P, made out with an "A" for that one, and a "B" for the part II, etc. I also HIGHLY advise the notecards recommendation, and furthermore, I suggest making your own. You've probably heard it and/or *will* hear it: when you write something, you retain/learn it better. You can buy colored index cards(i.e. neon or pastel)---or just highlight them yourself, different sizes(3x5, 4x6, etc.; I'd go for 3x5), etc. Some people have even taken a single hole punch and punched a hole in their index cards and taken a metal ring and "strung" their cards together. That's one option so that you can keep them together *or* another option is buying an index cardholder box. Finally, an inexpensive option is just a shoe box that you may have lying around. Good luck!

Erin:-)

unc005 · Jun 17, 2005

I've never taken these two classes together as I took a basic A&P course the summer before I took A&P I(Fall '03) and A&PII(Spring '04), and I got *all* of my pre-reqs. out of the way before entering the program last fall(but I audited due to financial and personal reasons but got back in for *this* fall---yeesh! LOL!). However, everyone's different, their circumstances are different, etc. Believe me, I know...my Dad passed away during the Fall '03 semester(10/03/03) and well...I had to be full-time for insurance purposes, wound up dropping *every* class but the A&P, made out with an "A" for that one, and a "B" for the part II, etc. I also HIGHLY advise the notecards recommendation, and furthermore, I suggest making your own. You've probably heard it and/or *will* hear it: when you write something, you retain/learn it better. You can buy colored index cards(i.e. neon or pastel)---or just highlight them yourself, different sizes(3x5, 4x6, etc.; I'd go for 3x5), etc. Some people have even taken a single hole punch and punched a hole in their index cards and taken a metal ring and "strung" their cards together. That's one option so that you can keep them together *or* another option is buying an index cardholder box. Finally, an inexpensive option is just a shoe box that you may have lying around. Good luck!

Erin:-)

unc005 · Jun 17, 2005

Sorry y'all! ***blushes*** I didn't mean to submit my post twice. Dang it! LOL!

Erin

coot · Jun 17, 2005

I must complete a nursing course and Anatomy and Physiology this summer.
So that I will be able to be get into nursing program fall'05.
I am very overwhelmed now about successfully completing both classes in the summer.
I would really appreciate if you have ideas that would help me to complete those two classes successfully. I would really appreciate your experience and input about good study skill needed for AP and a nursing class.

hi there are some good web sites for anatomy, just type in anatomy one of the most important things is keeping your grades as high as possible find a study partner keep your anatomy note book up to date and make sure you can spell all of the parts of the internal organs correctly that also includes the muscles,bones, brain,heart,veins and arteries,and as u go through anatomy u will see in the end it all comes together the body works together to protect and keep the body runing smoothly and it can even correct itself.

hikernurse · Jun 17, 2005

I spent a few minutes each weekend outlining *everything* I needed to do during the coming week homework-wise; then I separated it out by day. That way it was easier not to get behind. I also blocked out "library" times and considered that as important as class times.

Never go anywhere without your note cards. Could the companies that make 3 x 5 cards even stay in business without nursing students, LOL? Putting the cards in a metal ring is a great idea; I relied on ziplock sandwich bags, but I think I'm investing in a few rings.

Not so much related to homework tips, but make sure you get a good night's sleep and fit in some leisure time--otherwise you'll feel totally overwhelmed. Like you don't already, huh?

r_janice · Jun 17, 2005

I havent taken any nursing classes yet since Im finishing my pre-reqs now. But I AM currently taking A&P I and II this summer. Actually A&P I ends next week and II starts the following Monday. Surprising to me I have a A in class as I type this. I thought it was goning to be ten times worse than it is.

I use flash cards but I also turn my notes into flowsheets. To me, its easier to organize the information that way. Like for the endocrine system, using the flow chart helped me visualize what gland released which hormone and what that hormone then went out to do.

Good luck!! :)

RN_Jen · Jun 17, 2005

I use flash cards but I also turn my notes into flowsheets. To me, its easier to organize the information that way. Like for the endocrine system, using the flow chart helped me visualize what gland released which hormone and what that hormone then went out to do.
Good luck!! :)

OOHHHH.....flowcharts......that's an EXCELLENT idea!! :)

Nikkik163 · Jun 17, 2005

I did not take anatomy and physiology together, but I took anatomy last semester and currently am finishing up my last week of physiology.

What helped me for anatomy lab was just going in there and going over all of the models a few times a week and making notecards to study.

For physiology I write what I need to know for the test over again. I read through those notes a lot and I find it VERY helpful to study with somebody. If you quiz them and they quiz you, I find that I remember a lot more.

Also, you should wear scented lotion or something when you are studying and that same lotion when you take your test!! That can help you remember more. Good luck :)

r_janice · Jun 17, 2005

OOHHHH.....flowcharts......that's an EXCELLENT idea!! :)

flowsheet.....flowchart.....that is a demonstration on the effects of lack of sleep due to studying and working :uhoh3: you know what I was trying to say!! :chuckle