I'm failing anatomy!

Miss Infermiera2b, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2016

I'm sorry, that really sucks. You need to be introspective and figure out what your resources are for preventing this problem next time. See if you have a learning center that can help you with test strategies, look up resources online, everything you have at your disposal. I don't want to scare you, but nursing school will make A&P look like kindergarten, and there will be immense pressure during exams. Figure out what is holding you back and do your best to make the changes necessary. I wish you the best of luck!

lhflanurseNP, APRN · Apr 14, 2016

Anatomy is like learning a foreign language unless you have had experience or been exposed to many of the terms. Where are you struggling? Do you have a "study buddy" who can help you? There are numerous of resources online...many with videos that may be helpful. The pressure of passing exams can be intense because you understand you can't move forward if you don't. Have you taken any classes on test taking? Many questions, but hope they will help you refocus. Good luck!

BioChic · Apr 14, 2016

I studied each system by constantly (at stop lights, in bed at night, and every moment in between) saying the name of the bone/organ/etc and touching the place on my body that it's located.

I'd go through the skeletal system, starting with my skull, and touch each and every bone/fossa/etc. and name it... over and over. I did the same thing with every other system. Relating the systems with my own body helped *tremendously*!

Best of luck!

Nurse2BeCam, ADN · Apr 14, 2016

I study by hand movements and speaking out loud. I have to rewright all of my notes by hand as well. I don't know how I would have pulled off an A in a&p if it hadn't been for my friend (study buddy). We both made A's in the course. We studied together in between classes and it helped a lot. We would teach each other what we were learning and that helped too. Chewing peppermint gum while you study and then take the test while chewing it has helped me. It's probably psychological but it helped me. Good luck next time around. I wish you the best!

wannabenurse88 · Apr 14, 2016

Thanks y'all! I really didn't have a study buddy but I felt like I was in open lab 24/7 with the cadavers. My teacher said the same thing about nursing school will be a lot harder than anatomy. I'm not giving up, I will just learn from my mistakes and try again in the fall!

falcon123 · Apr 14, 2016

Try using websites like Quizlet which provide questions and answers to common A&P test questions. I used it as a supplement and it was very helpful in preparing me for the tests. Good luck!

BBboy · Apr 14, 2016

Wannabe the key to succeeding in anatomy and physiology is just going over the lab material countless times and being able to recall the material learned in class or from the book. As stated earlier nursing school will make the A&P pre-reqs look like nothing (its really just recall, no application of material needed yet)

falcon123 · Apr 14, 2016

As you also mentioned, having a study-buddy is crucial. i can't imagine trying to learn all the information on my own. When you can teach information that is when you know you have mastered it. Studying together makes your brain work double fast because you have both retaining information in bulk, but also forcing your brain to process it to teach someone else. Make that a priority.

LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN · Apr 14, 2016

Quizlet is amazing!! I scored an A on every lab because of those things. I took pictures of my school's anatomy models and uploaded them to Quizlet for my flash cards. For physiology, I'm the opposite, I cannot study with other people. I found for me I have to understand all the little things in order to get the big picture. I didn't rewrite my notes or anything either, I just made sure that I could explain it in an understandable way to a non nursing major (aka I used my dog lil) and I got an A in both A&Ps. You just have to find what clicks for you!

hstutz86 · Apr 14, 2016

make sure you read the chapters before class also write your notes before the lecture... the notes you write .. include extra info while listening to the lectures... always ask if you're not sure... and look at your exams see what mistakes you make and focus on that.... talk to yourself while studying... make things you need to memorize into a song.. .. sing to yourself all the time... take a walk outside and bring your notes.. change of environment helps with focusing... get a white board and write everything you know then look back at your notes see what you miss.. you just need active learning.. make it fun... imagine the organs with personalities.. according to their function...

you need to change your studying methods ... make it fun!

wannabenurse88 · Apr 14, 2016

thanks again for the new responses! I'm even more motivated than I was before! this is just a small bump in the road but I will continue going and use all the advice I received for next semester!