I'm A NERVOUS Wreck!!!

GrnHonu99, RN · Jun 28, 2005

I'm in Anatomy and Physiology I for the summer semester, and I HATE IT!!!
I have a 4.0 GPA, and this class is going to ruin that. First off, my teacher is horrible!!! He is so discouraging. On the first day of class he said that he would see most of us back in the fall. His lectures are horrible! Nothing he puts on the test is in the book or what he has lectured on!!! I've studied probably 20-30 hours weekly for the last couple of weeks, and on my first test I made an 82!!! The class average was 72!!! Most people have already dropped. Out of a starting class of about 50 there are about 30 people now.
When we took our lab practical, he told us "Don't be surprised if the grade you get back is a 56, because that's what most people make." And he indeed made it incredibly hard!!!
We took our second test yesterday and he said, "most people do worst on this test than they did on the first one, so you guys need to think about dropping..."
I don't know what to do!!! I'm trying hard to maintain my 4.0 but there is really no way now, unless I make all 100's on everything from here on out, which seems impossible since this man almost prides himself on being a hard teacher!!!
I hate to whine, but this is completly discouraging. I've figured it up that I can make a B in this class, but I'll have to work very hard for it. I've never worked hard for a B!!!
What do I do???????????
Rachel

Looks like a lot of studying is in order. Do the best you can. You will encounter quite a few hard classes, some grades you will work harder for than others.

LKG6 · Jun 28, 2005

I'm in Anatomy and Physiology I for the summer semester, and I HATE IT!!!
When we took our lab practical, he told us "Don't be surprised if the grade you get back is a 56, because that's what most people make." And he indeed made it incredibly hard!!!
We took our second test yesterday and he said, "most people do worst on this test than they did on the first one, so you guys need to think about dropping..."

OMG! If my A&P professor said this I would be a nervous wreck, too.

Is there any other A&P class with different professor available?

Is there any student advocate service in your college where you could discuss this professor's teaching method?

Katie

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2005

A B is very honerable. Are you learning the stuff? Probably you are, and he's probably a good teacher for that reason alone, he's making you work hard and learn it. Just because you make a B doesn't mean he's a bad teacher. I'd stick with it, get the B out of the way so you don't have the pressure on your from now on to have to make a 4.0.

Or drop it, set yourself behind a semester, loose money, and find an instructor where you think you might make an A.

I'm carrying a 3.77 GPA and I know what it's like to want that 4.0 and not get it, so I'm feeling you there.

Good luck in whatever you do!

Doug85 · Jun 28, 2005

Lots of good advice here. I know the 4.0 means a lot to you, but if you're truly learning the material and still wind up with a B, there is NO shame whatsoever in that. NONE! I was in your shoes for the spring semester- I was dead set on getting an A in A&P. However, I gave it everything I had and got a B. I can live with that, because I know I gave it my best effort. Good luck whatever you do. Try not to get too discouraged- just think, you're part of the 60% that have made it this far. Keep plugging away and studying your tail off!

happydz · Jun 29, 2005

If you still have time to drop it, there's nothing wrong with that. Seems like the teacher is more intent on failing students than actually teaching them. Go to ratemyprofessor.com. It can give you the inside scoop on instructor's teaching styles and might be of some help in choosing your instructors.

If you do decide to stick with it, make the most out of it and don't let him get you down. Who knows, he might be trying to "weed out" the unfit students and might loosen up after a while. Just hang in there!

BoonersmomRN · Jun 29, 2005

Besides studying your brains out ( which I am sure you have)....have you tried talking to this professor? I know it could be fruitless but if you go to him and show him how you go about studying ( notes, flashcards, practice tests, etc etc whatever you do)..you never know he MAY be able to steer you in a better direction. Well over 1/2 my A+P I class dropped out but I got an A. I don't really know why they all dropped but I know a lot of them just couldn't seem to get a "grasp" on how she was testing...and a few who actually went to her suddenly started to do better on their tests. It could be worth a shot.

Another thing is that if you DO decide to drop..you may find that an entire semester may be better for you than a shortened summer semester. I am currently carrying an A in A+P II but it has been a LOT more work than when I took A+P I during a full semester...and THAT was a lot of work:). I have found that they key to A+P is not just memorization ( and lord knows there is plenty of that) but *really really* understanding it all so that the information can be twisted around and applied in situations...that's how my A+P I teacher taught. Application is a lot harder then just memorization.

Whatever you do...GOOD LUCK!

Katydidit34 · Jun 29, 2005

I know how discouraged you must feel. A&P is an extremely challenging class. I had the toughest instructor at my school. She said that department heads from programs such as the x-ray tech, or dental hygine as well as nursing departments would tell her that they get students that come in and don't know their stuff and end up falling out of the program. She was the single hardest instructor I ever had, but I can tell you this much, I KNOW my A&P. Hang in there. Don't let the class intimidate you. I found that I had to employ many different study methods to get through it.

SeekingNur · Jun 29, 2005

I'm in Anatomy and Physiology I for the summer semester, and I HATE IT!!!
I have a 4.0 GPA, and this class is going to ruin that. First off, my teacher is horrible!!! He is so discouraging. On the first day of class he said that he would see most of us back in the fall. His lectures are horrible! Nothing he puts on the test is in the book or what he has lectured on!!! I've studied probably 20-30 hours weekly for the last couple of weeks, and on my first test I made an 82!!! The class average was 72!!! Most people have already dropped. Out of a starting class of about 50 there are about 30 people now.
When we took our lab practical, he told us "Don't be surprised if the grade you get back is a 56, because that's what most people make." And he indeed made it incredibly hard!!!
We took our second test yesterday and he said, "most people do worst on this test than they did on the first one, so you guys need to think about dropping..."
I don't know what to do!!! I'm trying hard to maintain my 4.0 but there is really no way now, unless I make all 100's on everything from here on out, which seems impossible since this man almost prides himself on being a hard teacher!!!
I hate to whine, but this is completly discouraging. I've figured it up that I can make a B in this class, but I'll have to work very hard for it. I've never worked hard for a B!!!
What do I do???????????
Rachel

See my post on A&P I thread. I am in almost exactly your position. I have a 4.0 that I am desperate to maintain. It's not just the numbers on the paper, it would cause my family a great deal of hardship if I could not get into the closest nursing program. I'm writing articles, making contacts and studying as hard as I can to make myself the best looking candidate I possibly can. I NEED to get in. I'm freaking out because I'm 99% sure that my grade on this past test was a low B and I'm too afraid to think of it being any less. I have not come to terms with the possibility that I might get a B in this class. I don't have any advice, but I soooooo relate to what you are going through. One comfort I have, though, is that I have studied harder than I've ever studied and I KNOW my stuff.

Thanks to all who responded on this thread, it's helping me not freak out so much.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jun 30, 2005

Seems like you've got a case of an instructor who is putting fear in you to test your strength. I have come across many like that in my school. They will flat out tell you that only the strongest will survive, so little by little people get discouraged and drop the class.

Anyhow, play his game. Take him up for the challenge. Most will admire you for that and you will have proven to not being intimidated and will pay off.

Relax, even if you don't get the 4.0, do the best you can. Best of luck to you :)

Jessica

Maisie · Jun 30, 2005

I would drop it. In fact I found myself in the same situation last year. I had a 4.0 average and decided to take A&P in the summer. The teacher told us the same thing. The test were incredibly difficult. I received A's on the first 3 test, but knew there was no way I would make that on the 4th test. I dropped the class and no one could believe it. They all knew I was getting A's. I took the class in the fall and got an A. I was accepted into the nursing program this year. Had I stuck around, I may have gotten a B, but I may also have gotten a C because the test were getting harder. A "C" would not have gotten me into the nursing program, and frankly a B might have had the same result. Why chance it? In my school, a student with a passing grade of C or better is not allowed to retake the class.

kharing · Jun 30, 2005

I wouldn't drop, stick it out. Your GPA isn't going to fall that much to justify having a "W" on your transcript. Dropping the class most likely will set you back another semester. It may not be worth holding back your progress for another semester unless you are getting a C, D or worse, failing. At my school, it seems that most of the professors are sabotaging students. I'm taking classes with students that are 2nd and 3rd timers! It's unfortunate and very discouraging - but I realize that it's just going to get even more demanding when I take A&P 2 and Micro in the Fall.

Most importantly, I would also speak to the Dean of Arts and Sciences or Biology chair about this professor. I had a similar situation this Summer and was able to switch my lecture professors mid-semester after speaking with the Dean. Having a great transcript helped my case!

Don't forget to leave notes on http://ratemyprofessor.com/index.jsp - warning future students!

Lastly, be proud of yourself!!!! Your grades are excellent and you are doing well despite the situation. I set really high standards for myself, but keep remembering that A&P1, 2 and Microbiology are known for being courses that weed out prospective nurses. I am now getting an A in my lecture and a B in lab after weeks of feeling stupid and stressed out - lab's only one credit, so it shouldn't slam my GPA too hard! Good luck.