Is this really for me?

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After a long time away from school (7 yrs), I'm back and before last week, intended to go full-speed-ahead into, obviously, nursing.

I am taking AP1. I just failed my first test.

If I am having a hard time with this class... is nursing for me? Can my performance in this class predetermine whether or not I have that special quality all nurses have...assuming they all take this class that is.

At first I thought...it's been a while ... you just need to get into the swing of it all again...then the professor so kindly displayed that the majority of the class failed this exam...3 people got an A...about 8 got a B....maybe 15-16 C's ....then almost 200 F's.:banghead:

Maybe I'm being a bit dramatic but...who wants to be tended to by a nurse who couldn't get it together for her first Pre-nursing course. I sure don't.

I've completely changed my study habits and am looking to join a study group.

What do you'all think? Has anyone gone on to be a successful nurse after having a hard time with A/P or Micro? I mean I can memorize but don't understand...what's the point of memorizing if after you've memorized it all...you can't think analytically about the subject, right?

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Our A&P class didn't do real well on the first test either, and our instructor said that's pretty much how it goes every year, and our grades would go up. He was right, we all did a LOT better on the second test. Hang in there!

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Don't be so hard on yourself, it was only your first exam. Once you finish your first few semesters, it will all start making sense. Right now you are just building your foundation. The bigger picture will take time! Plus, if all of those people failed, your teacher must not have prepared you well for the exam. Were you given a study guide? Do you use flash cards? If you do have a study guide, make sure you know everything on it, inside and out. Definitely form a study group. Find 2 or 3 people who seem very motivated and hook up with them. It really helps to bounce ideas off each other and get clarification on areas that you are having trouble with. It will make a huge difference. I learn so much in my study groups. You can share ideas and fun ways of memorizing important topics. Get back to the books, and don't give up. This will all be worth it!!!

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DEFINITELY don't give up -- I am in A&P I now also...I have struggled tremendously with cell biology, etc. but now that we are in tissues I am doing better...it was so hard for me to grasp those cell concepts and cellular respiration and ATP, etc.

Not only does it make me doubt myself when I don't do well on a test or can't seem to grasp a concept but I have also been dealing with overwhelming feelings of question when it comes to being a nurse...Can I handle it? Can I really learn all this stuff? What if I go through school for two years and don't like the nursing field...I typed the word "doubt" into the search field of this website and, after reading a few of the posts, felt a LOT better about my feelings. They are normal and it will be worth it when we are done and can look back on the tough times. I am working to "train" myself into not looking at the negatives but focusing on the positives. We don't have time for the negatives right now and I am sure it will get worse before it gets better!

Good luck and keep in touch! :redbeathe

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I didn't do very well on the first exam either. And my professor said the same thing about the first test being the lowest grade as someone else's did. I take me second exam next Wed., so I guess we will see how that goes.

Also, if you need help studying or anything check and see if your school has a tutoring center. Mine has a whole room for A&P and biology with all kinds of resources in the library as well as open labs to study for lab practicals and stuff. If you do have it, its definitely something to take advantage of.

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Thanks for the votes of encouragement! All your comments are very much appreciated...you'all have no idea.

I am going to be taking my first lab exam this wednesday. I'll see how that goes. I'm studying hard....harder than ever before and am going to push myself farther than ever before bc i really want this really bad.

Thanks again guys and good luck to all!

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keep positive!!

i'll be honest. the first test you aren't really expected to get a A. when starting a new difficult class most people (especially me) have to learn HOW to take the test. now that you know how the teacher's tests are you can rework your study habits.

and if it makes you feel better.... haha, this will probably make me look bad...but..

i'm in my 7th week on nursing school. I failed the first test. but after that i knew what to expect and HOW to take the test. the second test i got a B :) so just don't be too hard on your self. let it go, only focus on what's ahead, not behind you!

good luck and best wishes

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That's what I'm going to do...look forward...I can't change my grade ...what's good is that one test grade is dropped at the end of the semester so hopefully this grade will never show up anywhere as I'll do great on all the other tests.

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One thing I noticed in a/p is that there are certain systems that some people just "nail", others that people struggle with. I nailed cardio. I struggled with muscular. Don't freak out if one system seems extremely hard, just try to remember that the next one may come easier to you!

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The thing that got me was the past month of class has been all biochem related...

chemical equations and such...which I wasn't prepared for...studied ...but didnt really understand. Now we're about the begin with the cell and just completing my preclass reading and working a bit on the textbook website and I know it. No prob. I hope to God the rest of the semester will come to me this simply.

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