I am in trouble!!!!

allthingsbright · Sep 25, 2003

I think some students need more study time then others. All my profs say 2 hours per week per credit hour is the norm to do better than average in a class. So, I am taking a 6 hr A&P and spend about 12 hrs a week studying. Sometimes more. I'm an A-B student (3.61 gpa).

Amy

Paleobug · Sep 25, 2003

I know what you mean. I had my first A&P test and the instructor gave us multiple choice questions with many questions containing two correct answers. For example, the textbook stated that on a plasma membrane, there are two types of cell receptors one is called the glycocalyx and the other is a protein called an intergral protein. The question on the test was which one is the cell receptor?:confused:I spend about 25 hours a week studying for this class.

SirJohnny · Sep 25, 2003

Renerian & Others:

- Regarding full-time work & kids & school.

- First, I would never take full course load and try to maintain the above schedule.

- This is why I am getting my pre-requisites out of the way.

- Currently, I work 40-50 hours a week as a software developer, and teach 2 nights a week at a local tech school In addition, I have two kitties (persians). Granted, there is a difference betwen kitties and kiddies. But both need fed, litter boxes changed, and get bathed/shampood at least once every two weeks. :)

- Seriously, it's a matter of time management. Often called "conflict resolution" at interviews. Meaning, you have to prioritize.

- For me, I need an average of 3 hours/day memorization. Granted, I don't do it all in one stretch - except on the weekends when I lock myself in a conference room at work. On the weekdays, I essentially grab 30-60 min here and 30-60 min there. Eventually, the time adds up.

- Also, I may study 1 or 2 hours one day and then 3 or 4 the next. It all just depends.

- In addition, we had 3 week break between classes (A&P 101 & A&P102). I already had this semester's syllabus. So I just kept hitting the books during breaks. This memorization time is also factored into the above equation.

- Am planning on taking microbiology at University of Southern Indiana next semster. Have meeting with prof next week to pick up syllabus from current semester. Hopefully, can get book ahead of time and start reading/creating notes during 3 or 4 week xmas break.

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- The real fun will be when I crank up to 8 credits/semester and start flying between Indiana & NY in June 2004 for nursing clinicals. Will still keep current job, kitties, and hope to continue teaching at least one night/week.

John Coxey

bonjovigirl · Sep 25, 2003

Every student is different. I am the type that absorbs everything I hear in class, so I need very little time studying at home. My very good friend may not even go to class, (she does though) she doesn't hear anything the teacher says and has to relearn everything at home. You just gotta know who you are and do what you need.

But one test isn't gonna make or break you. The important thing is you know why it is you didn't do well. Its scary when you don't do well and have no idea why. This will just strengthen your resolve to do what you have to.

Goodl luck

fnimat1 · Sep 25, 2003

Don't worry, it's just the first test...now you know how much effort to put to the rest of your exams...((Hugs))

Fatima

RNinRubySlippers, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2003

A&P is NOT just to weed students out. I am sorry to sound abrupt, but A&P is fundamental and you NEED this to do well (and be able to make meaning when you do pathophysiology!) Dont take A&P lightly and do try and enjoy it as much as you can...some how you remember things easier that way (IMHO)

A&P is tough and time consuming, but just do as much as you can to study and make an effort to do so, how much you study is not written in stone...do what works for you! Good Luck every one currently taking A&P! Dont ever let anyone get you down!

ava'smomRN · Sep 25, 2003

i dont feel so bad after all one person in my class got an a and "all other grades were represented" i got a 61 which is considered a d but its still a fail in my book, but i fell alittle better because i thought i would have gotten a 20 or something. the overall average for the class was 62%! a lot of the students in my class was complaing about the way the teacher worede questions. i admit theyy were a little misleading but it didnt upset me. about 40minutes of class was spent with my fellow students arguing with the teacher because THEY read a quetion wrong! I found it very amusing. thank you all for your comments, this is defintly the last time this will happen. i started my next chapter which is the cardiovascular system and so far so good:)

Flygirl05 · Sep 25, 2003

I had my first A&P test today and im thrilled that i feel like i did really well on it. i probably wont get an A+, but im glad all that studying is paying off. I actually went into the test thinking i didnt study enough...

SirJohnny · Sep 26, 2003

Bex_SRN:

- I hate to disagree with you.

- A&P is definitely, absolutely, and positively a weed out course. About 50-60% of the class will fail.

- Is it a necessary class? Yes. most definitely. Both from a weed out perspective and also as an intro to human body parts perspective. It certainly separates the "dreamers" from the "doo-ers".

- I had a 10 week accellerated A&P101 class this summer. How much of that am I (or anyone else) going to remember?

- I am currently taking a 15 week A&P102 class now. Most of the student's in my class are taking full course loads. Again, how much info are these folks going to retain?

- I ask you to take the muscle/bone lab test again in 1 year. How much of it will you be able to recall - without any additional study? Heck, I forget about half of the muscles 10 min after walking out of the exam room.

- Personally, I look at it as a game. It's another hurdle. So, go to class, study, take test, grab an A, and move on.

- What skills does A&P really teach? It re-inforces good study skills. Enforces discipline (towards studying/going to class). And now you know where to look info up if you need it.

Just my two cents.

John Coxey

Cynthiann · Sep 26, 2003

I think she meant that the A&P of purpose is a foundation of knowledge needed in nursing and not made for weeding people out.

But I do agree with you, John. It does separate the dreamers from the doers. When I took A&P this summer, my study partner said that if she were trying to do nursing, A&P would definitely of changed her mind (she was taking A&P for the health information technology program).

nurse2be in ny · Sep 26, 2003

My first A&P test is next Thursday, and even though I've been studying and memorizing right along, I'm still really, really nervous. I'm afraid I'll forget everything I learned! It's a tough class, no matter how much you study or how you learn things. It hasn't made me doubt my decision to apply to nursing school, though.

shirleyTX · Sep 26, 2003

Well I'm very sorry about your first test. The thing I wanted to say is that you really have to take these classes seriously. I might be completely wrong, but don't you want to become a CRNA? If not sorry for the mix up, but if so girl, these science courses count ALOT. It's only one test, not tooo much to worry about but remember getting a C average, it's almost a given you'll have to take it again at a graduate level to even be seen by a CRNA school. Try your best and you can do it, believe me, I dropped out of school in the 10th grade, just didn't fit the "social" majority. Got my GED, went to mortuary school, graduated with honors and dist. after 2 years decided nursing is where I needed to go, so had to start all over 2 yrs pre-reqs at a community college- leaving my GPA was a 3.68. Now I'm at the Univer of Texas and will graduate in 2005 with my BSN. I've only had two tests so far and have made a's on both of them,so if a girl like me can do it, I know YOU can. just dedicate yourself to your future. Like you I WIll be a CRNA one day, but understand everything for the next couple years will be applied towards that day of being interviewed by the CRNA board. Don't let this one grade effect your preformance. Remember, if you apply yourself there's not much you can't accomplish.

Take care, shirley