I'm Totally Regretting Taking 3 Science w/Labs :( HELP!

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I have a major dilemma. I've honestly put myself in deep. I really didn't think 3 science classes would be that bad since the past two semesters I've had VERY heavy loads and did awesome... but now I'm really struggling. I can NOT get into Chemistry and as a result it is not clicking at all. My Microbiology and A/P are on the same testing schedule (major exams are all in the same week!)

I really wish I hadn't got ahead of myself wanting to finish all my prereqs this semester. I wish I'd have saved Chem for the summer and now I'm afraid all 3 grades may suffer. So far, I'm doing awesome in Microbiology and if I keep on the same track I'll likely only get a B in A/P 2 and I'll honestly be lucky to get a C in Chemistry which I'm afraid simply won't be competitive.

I feel like if I dropped Chem my chances of pulling up to an A in A/P 2 will be good and I'll could get As in both classes. The problem is, dropping Chem will hurt me because I already have several drops (not nursing prereqs but gen eds in the past) and I know that will work against me too.

I'm trying to get into a university BSN program and they look at Ws... but also look at science GPAs and so I'm not sure which would be worse, lower science grades or a higher ones with a W repeated.

The CC programs don't require Chem so they may be more forgiving of seeing this class dropped so now I'm seriously considering going the ADN route and bridging later.

And finally, and this is probably my BIGGEST concern... if I'm having trouble taking these three classes, will I be able to hack nursing school?

Specializes in LTC, Med-surg.

Everybody is suggesting for you to drop chemistry but I have another suggestion...

max out all the help you can get.

Yes, that means paying for a tutor or going to the tutor that your school might provide

free of charge. My university has a Learning Center that allows students to actually

set appointments for tutors on a particular subject.

I go see the chemistry tutor atleast once before I take an exam. I ended up getting a 93% on my

first chemistry II exam because of all the clarification I got from the chem tutor.

Also, check out masteringchemistry.com which has a lot of helpful tips and tricks

for learning the material.

Try youtubing khanacademy

He has videos where he actually explains the difficult chemistry concepts to you

in a NOT BORING, its like talking to your friend about chemistry when you hear his voice.

Go to office hours, professors will be happy to help you if you need it.

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I second jngo91.

If I were you, I wouldn't drop it until close to the last day to drop. Until then, I would go all out to make it work. Really all out, breaks would be switching subjects or switching methods for the most part and when they weren't, they'd be what I really, truely needed to keep studying effectively and not what I wanted or could justify. I'd fine tune everything from diet to sleep schedule to maximize the effect. Regularily see the prof during office hours (and have done the homework before going).

Oh, and during this, I'd prioritize the micro and the AP, making sure they were not at risk for the chemistry. When the last day to drop came, then I'd have better options when I reassessed.

I'd rather have a lonely, miserable term than either drop again or get a bad grade.

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Three science classes with labs is a lot! To address your biggest concern...I'm in my second quarter of nursing school, and it's definitely a challenge to keep up, but the material is completely different from the core science pre-reqs with labs. I wouldn't use science classes with labs to judge your potential performance in nursing school. Hang in there and good luck!

And finally, and this is probably my BIGGEST concern... if I'm having trouble taking these three classes, will I be able to hack nursing school?

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Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.
Three science classes with labs is a lot! To address your biggest concern...I'm in my second quarter of nursing school, and it's definitely a challenge to keep up, but the material is completely different from the core science pre-reqs with labs. I wouldn't use science classes with labs to judge your potential performance in nursing school. Hang in there and good luck!

I am curious, everyone says NS is hard, and I believe them but I would like to know what kind of hard. Obviously you say its not hard like the science pre-reqs were, but its hard in a different way...like what way?

Just curious...

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I am curious, everyone says NS is hard, and I believe them but I would like to know what kind of hard. Obviously you say its not hard like the science pre-reqs were, but its hard in a different way...like what way?

Just curious...

I know you didn't ask me, but here's my 2 cents. And like I said in my earlier post, this is my first semester of nursing school so take that for what its worth. So far I have not found the material that I'm learning to be difficult so in that respect, I can't say that nursing school is hard. What I find hard, or I should say challenging, is juggling all the different aspects of nursing school. Lecture,Lab,Checkoffs,Clinicals and all the work that goes into each of those components, and the time frame that everything has to be done in. Short turn around time for everything that needs to be done so time management is crucial.

Some people have trouble with the different style of testing though. One person in my program withdrew because they just were not getting it. They could recite all the material but when it came time to applying that knowledge to the critical thinking style questions, it just did not connect. I actually like these style of questions. Yeah forces you to think when there are 2 or 3 right answers but you have to pick the one that is "most right" for that situation or should be first priority. My one piece of advice to Pre Nursing students once you've been accepted to a program is to get familiar with NCLEX style questions. They are different from the testing style that you are probably used to. I actually like these style of questions. I got a 98 on my exam yesterday. Not bragging but I've had As on all my exams thus far. I'm only mentioning that to say to folks, don't be scared. You can do it. After hearing all the stories of how hard nursing school is, I was so scared coming in. I worried myself to death that it would be so hard that I wouldn't be able to handle it, but that has not been the case thus far.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.
I know you didn't ask me, but here's my 2 cents. And like I said in my earlier post, this is my first semester of nursing school so take that for what its worth. So far I have not found the material that I'm learning to be difficult so in that respect, I can't say that nursing school is hard. What I find hard, or I should say challenging, is juggling all the different aspects of nursing school. Lecture,Lab,Checkoffs,Clinicals and all the work that goes into each of those components, and the time frame that everything has to be done in. Short turn around time for everything that needs to be done so time management is crucial.

Some people have trouble with the different style of testing though. One person in my program withdrew because they just were not getting it. They could recite all the material but when it came time to applying that knowledge to the critical thinking style questions, it just did not connect. I actually like these style of questions. Yeah forces you to think when there are 2 or 3 right answers but you have to pick the one that is "most right" for that situation or should be first priority. My one piece of advice to Pre Nursing students once you've been accepted to a program is to get familiar with NCLEX style questions. They are different from the testing style that you are probably used to. I actually like these style of questions. I got a 98 on my exam yesterday. Not bragging but I've had As on all my exams thus far. I'm only mentioning that to say to folks, don't be scared. You can do it. After hearing all the stories of how hard nursing school is, I was so scared coming in. I worried myself to death that it would be so hard that I wouldn't be able to handle it, but that has not been the case thus far.

I appreciate your opinion.

I think alot of people say that material isnt hard, like say physiology was for example, but it is more like juggling everything.

I look forward to it though...good luck in school

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I concur with MangoPeach...In most cases it's not the material that's necessarily difficult, it's dealing with the whole package that is challenging. Even with good time management, it seems impossible to get everything done. This quarter I have five classes and clinicals start next quarter. Two of the most challenging classes right now are sciences: pathophysiology and pharmacology. Overall, there's a lot of memorization and a ton of reading.

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Is anyone know if someone offer teas preparation classes in sacramento?????

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

Honest question: What were you thinking taking that many science courses at once? One science class can oftentimes feel like two science courses because of all the labs and the work load.

I nearly died taking Biology and Chemistry together.

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I think it all depends on the student, their other coursework, their job, and the class. Last semester, I took Micro & Chemistry together and got As in both, and As in my other 2 non-science classes. So it definitely can be done, if you have the time and dedication.

Those 3 science classes, on the other hand... well, that's going to be pretty tough.

mjmoon, you didn't mention whether or not you're working or if you taking any other classes besides A&P, Micro & Chem. If you're not working and don't have any other classes, then I think you could probably do it. How's it going since your last post?

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I'm doing A&P2/Lab, Micro/Lab, Chem2/Lab, as well as taking 2 other classes while working a full time job. It is doable. I don't have any free time, except Thursday nights. :D Just manage your time wisely.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Wow Trenia :bowingpur- I should hire you to be my motivator!

Thanks everyone for your great advice. To answer an earlier question- I was thinking (and not very clearly- apparently) I could get all my prerequisites out of the way this semester. I really thought it would be very doable since the previous two semesters I've taken heavy loads and did great. I still think for many, many people it is a very doable load. For me, who has to work very, very hard in sciences to begin with it makes it more difficult. Add to that the fact that my Achilles heal is math and anything related to it, I went in over my head adding chemistry to the mix. I had kind of thought I had kicked the math weakness acing stats last semester... yeah- not so much. :lol2:

I've honestly been pretty miserable this semester. I was really bummed I wasn't enjoying A/P2 as much as I did the first one, and I think a lot of that was just my heightened overall stress level. After breaking down in tears while I was restudying some stuff for my chem exam (I thought I had it, turned out I had it all wrong!) I made the choice (after much self-guilt) to drop chem and focus on micro and a/p! The relief was instantaneous. I went into A/P 2 yesterday excited and looking forward to it for the first time all semester. I feel more in tune and focused. I think I made the right choice.

I'm going to retake chem by itself this summer when it can get 100% of my brain power. :)

I'm not taking any other classes this semester and I don't work. I do, however have two boys 5 and 7 and their school schedules to keep up with/work around. I can't spend endless hours in class and extra studying when they are home is sometimes impossible. It is definitely a juggle. I know some people do it all, jobs, kids, hard school loads, keep house, etc. etc. etc. and do awesome.. I can only look on in awe at those types. :bow:

Anyway- thanks again everyone. I feel good about my choice. I think my kids are happy about it too since mom isn't nearly as grumpy. :redpinkhe

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