Is it just me? Or am I studying too much?

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I just started my 4 year BSN program and i'm currently taking 3 courses: Physiology, anatomy, and nursing foundations (I had courses transfer from a previous degree, hence the lighter course load).

I don't know what it is, but I feel as though i'm either not studying efficiently enough or there is just that much work to do in a&p courses. I'm always trying to pre-read before class (which i've recently put on the back burner due to time), listen to lectures while rewriting my notes (i've recently started to print out the lecture pwr pt and glued them into my note book + chapter text info for time management), and re-reading notes while on the bus. I take breaks while studying to increase my concentration, I wake up early to study, and I go to bed early because I can't study past 9:30pm. After all of that I still feel behind!

I was really hoping to have time to start looking for a part-time job, however, it's time consuming to look for a job. I don't want to compromise my studies looking for a job so when I do take the time to look for jobs/write a cover letter I feel very guilty for not studying.

SO is it just me, or is there really that much work in those two courses?

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Specializes in IMCU, Oncology.

Yes, A&P is highly time consuming! I always felt I could use more study time for that class. However, if your professor has any learning objectives for each unit - that is very helpful to focus your studying!

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A&P is a lot of info! I found (and I think you'll see it echoed on these boards if you poke around) that what really streamlined it for me was The Anatomy Coloring Book (Kapit/Elson). It sounds silly, but I was able to get it for ~$12 on Amazon. I invested in a nice set of Prismacolor pencils (you'll need 20+ colors) and a sharpener. When I thought I wasn't able to study one second more, I pulled that out, turned on Hulu to catch up on my shows, and colored away. It really synthesized things nicely for me, without feeling like I was just bashing my textbook against my head.

That doesn't help you with a job, but it might cut back a little on studying time. From what I understand, it is easier to get part-time or casual CNA/PCT jobs after your first semester of clinicals. I'm keeping my fingers crossed: the restaurant where I wait tables closes down in a month; rather than starting a new food service job, I think I'll wait the month or two and try for PCT. Don't beat yourself up about school or work; if you can afford to focus on just school for a couple of months, do it!

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Also -- you can talk with your classmates. See where they have jobs, if they like them, if a kind word from them will mean anything if you apply for something there!

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This is normal! Stay encouraged! Some colleges offer free tutoring you should try that! The tutors can help you to study more effectively for your learning style. Keep up the good work!

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A & P is a lot of work, and important to get down. A real easy book for anatomy is "The anatomy and physiology learning system". In addition, I would go to the lab, and see all of the parts I was learning about. If you are in physiology, I used the interactive a&p cd which was great.

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Thanks for all of the replies. I guess all of the time I spent studying and going to my study group has paid off! A+ on both recent midterms!! I am so pleased with myself! I think i'll have an easier time now studying because I know how the profs test and what they want focus on.

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Thanks for all of the replies. I guess all of the time I spent studying and going to my study group has paid off! A+ on both recent midterms!! I am so pleased with myself! I think i'll have an easier time now studying because I know how the profs test and what they want focus on.

Great Job.

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Specializes in Public Health.
Thanks for all of the replies. I guess all of the time I spent studying and going to my study group has paid off! A+ on both recent midterms!! I am so pleased with myself! I think i'll have an easier time now studying because I know how the profs test and what they want focus on.

Woop woop

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