Is taking 3 science classes insane?

itsnowornever, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2012

Bio and Micro can compliment eachother if the professors have talked before teaching the class. I found Chem to be more math based than anything. If you are a C sometimes B student you have a lot of work ahead of you, but if you focus you can do it. Work ahead, dont fall behind.

tanna898 · Aug 6, 2012

I am an A student but had a very difficult time with both chem and micro and managed to pull a B in both classes. My life consisted of studying only. It was the hardest semester I ever had and I wish I took them separately. You are a c/b student I would not take all 3 classes together and risk having to withdraw and repeat one. At my school a repeat ( even with an a) hurts worse than getting an initial c in a class.

So it's up to you and what you think your capabilities are. I know a few students that managed to do what you plan on doing so it is possible, however they were 4.0 students and doing so brought down their gpa.

Most nursing schools are looking at your gpa in the science courses. So it is better to take it slow and insure you get good grades in those classes than to rush it and risk failing and not qualifying for nursing school at all.

Patti_RN · Aug 6, 2012

You have a lot to consider! As others pointed out, three classes for a student who hovers around a C average (sometimes B) needs to finish strong with Bs (maybe As) in those final classes. Admission committees look at trends in grades as much as they do GPAs, alone. Nursing school is very competitive to get into, and with fierce competition you need to look stronger academically.

I have no idea how old you are, what other demands you have in your life, or what your financial situation may be. If you can devote another semester (or year) to doing these classes it might make the difference between acceptance and rejection.

Your long term goal is to become a nurse. To do there, you have to finish these classes, apply to a nursing program, get accepted, graduate from nursing school, pass the NCLEX, then get a job. If you aren't successful with each step, you don't get to continue the journey. Your short term goals should be being successful with each step so you can accomplish your long term goal. The last thing you want to do is dead-end with 3 Cs in these science classes, then not get into nursing school. I'd strongly consider taking one or two classes at a time and try to get an A in each.

While you're doing that, you'll have some time on your hands (which you won't if you take three science classes). With that time, do other things that will increase your chances of admission to nursing school. Work part-time as a CNA. Volunteer at a food bank. Get an EMT certificate and volunteer with an local EMS (ambulance) service. Shadow an RN one day a week for a semester. Tutor kids in an under privileged area. Teach an adult to read with a literacy organization. You don't have to do this stuff full time, just enough to contribute something to the organization and have something to put on your resume (one 4 or 6 hour shift per week is probably enough).

After you get into nursing school, choose one or two of those things and stick with them. Don't just volunteer to have something on your resume, volunteer because you enjoy the service and want to contribute. The payoff will be that you'll really feel good about doing this stuff! (and you can put it on your resume and improve your chances of admission to nursing school and finding a job after graduation!)

A professor once told me, "Everyone wants to apply today, start classes tomorrow and graduate in the shortest amount of time possible. There is no faster path to failure than racing to get there."

CallieNM, ASN, RN · Aug 6, 2012

You certainly are brave!

And you are going to be busy! But it's not impossible. If you did not think you could do it, or if the school did not think you could do it, then you probably wouldn't be signed up to take them.

Good luck to you!!

Saysfaa · Aug 6, 2012

That is a nice thought Callie, but not true. People bite off more than they can chew all the time and schools have automated enrollment.

Even with advisor input regarding for this term - the answer would depend on whether the advisor has all the facts (like what else is on the plate, distribution and reasons for the grades, what the goals are - to pass the class or to do well in the class and how well) and what exactly was asked and how.

Can I do this? yes (everyone is allowed to take three science/lab classes)

Is it a good idea? that is another question. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.

And sometimes you get better advisors than other times.

Patti_RN · Aug 6, 2012

One more thought on this... students often take 4 courses per semester--that's the average/light load for a typical college student. But, nursing is not your typical program. People who major in most other subjects have a combination of electives, core courses, and courses that are specific to their major. Most nursing programs are heavily weighted in sciences and nursing specific classes, so nursing students don't dabble in art classes or take history classes or study a foreign language. So, when a person majoring in marketing takes three or four classes, only one or two of those will be math or science classes (the classes most people identify as 'difficult' subjects) the others might be the History of Jazz, or the Comedies of Shakespeare. Taking more than one science (or math, or foreign language) class at once is difficult. But, taking four classes and two of them are 'softer' makes passing them much easier.

If you do take all three of these classes, please check back in with us at the end of the semester and tell us how you did.

timmedico · Aug 6, 2012

it's completely possible!!!! :) i took a semester (full load) with both a&p ii and micro, and got a's. it's kind of easier for you in that you'll be focused on the sciences. chemistry is on the other side of the spectrum, but biology and microbiology are definitely compatible. i found myself learning stuff in a&p ii that i would later need in micro, and vice versa...which helped me to understand the subject matter to a fuller extent.

if you set your mind to it and strive for the best, you will ace all three classes. :) study hard and go for it!

neldel · Aug 7, 2012

I personally enjoyed taking one science at a time...I found each one of them built onto the next. It seemed to flow better for me and helped with my understanding it all. Started with Bio, then A&P, Chemistry, and finally Micro.

You may have a application deadline to meet, which sometimes requires an unusual courseload.

Good luck!

Devon Rex, ADN, BSN · Aug 7, 2012

If you are a C student, taking 3 science courses is going to be a bumpy ride. I would not do it unless you looovvveeee science.

Good luck!

samrusrn · Aug 7, 2012

Not all college students are equal, but from my own personal experience as a tutor, I have seen a lot of failure when students take one major science course (ex: anatomy) let alone two or three. If you don't have much of a science background, I would reconsider. These classes require you to be at school for hours, it'a a lot of material and you might not have enough time to study when you get home. I have a background in biology, so I did fine when I took anatomy and physiology at the same time (along with nursing math and speech). Even though I had this background, it was very time consuming and I was always pretty tired by the end of the day. Almost all nursing programs look at your gpa, so I think you should take one or two classes this semester and try to get A's ! They will find you more appealing when they compare you to other applicants. Good luck with what you decide. If you decide to go for it, check to see if you school provides tutoring services!

Beautifulvirgo · Aug 7, 2012

thanks for the feedback guys...i'm a 22 year old female, only priority i have is a 4yr old son i don't have a job, so right now i'm only focusing on school.. like i said i'm a c average student, but if i really buckle down and do what i have to do i think i can make it.

i'm in a city of chicago community college i don't believe they run on a point system, i just want the nursing department to see that i did all my prerequisite before entering in the program. before, i didn't have the drive because i was so far from entering the program, knowing this is my last semester my drive have been stronger than ever and i'm ready for anything. i'll keep your comments in mind you all have very good points.. thanks :redbeathe

Beautifulvirgo · Aug 7, 2012

before i was taking 1 science,1 math a psych and computer, then i was going back and forth on different subjects, which i thought was difficult to keep up so i think having 3 classes of the same subject will be good just to focus on just on science classes