today i dropped my first pre-nursing course and i'm a bit down in the blues. let me just say for starters science is not my strongest academic suit, yet i'm interested in nursing enough not to avoid them any longer. when i first enrolled in anatomy and physiology i really had no idea what i was getting into. i've heard a rumor around campus about how tough the class is and how much study time is needed just to get the minimum passing grade but i took the rumors lightly.
first off for an 18 week course anatomy and physiology was moving to the tune of 2 to 4 chapters a week. needless to say every time i looked up it was a test, practicum, or the instructors giving about 5 hours of information in a 2 hour period. the class was broken down where the lecture (monday & wednesday) would focus on the physiology aspect and the lab (tuesday & thursday) would focus on the anatomy aspect. i did well in the lab made b's on the first 4 test and got an a and b on the first two practicums. however in the lecture i made 3 c's on the first 3 exams and a d on the last one. my comfort level in the lab is sky high in comparison to the lecture where very little was sinking in. not to mention that the lecture exam included 5 essay questions asking how certain organs, tissue and chemicals function within the body. the only thing that really saved me during the lecture exams was that i could recall some of the information that was covered by the lab instructor. other than that i was up a river with no paddles or life vest when it came to lecture exams.
i'm not going to make any excuses for my bad grades and feel free to correct me if i'm wrong but i feel that physiology is a class that requires the instructor to take the time to breakdown, use example and models to explain concepts and functions. i know that instructors don't have to do all of that and trust me this lecture instructor don't. however it would sure increase the learn curve and concepts and functions would be easy to grasp over a handout.
Don't forget youtube. There are a lot of video tutorials that break information down about any subject/topic. Take advantage of it, especially since it is FREE!!!!
kingdave, have you taken chemistry and/or bio? I know it's not required at a lot of schools to take A&P but let me tell you, if you have a basic foundation in chem and bio, then it's a little easier to understand the concepts in physiology. It took me an extra semester in the long run but having taken chem and bio has been invaluable for me in anatomy, physiology, and microbio.
Yes, you can learn it on the fly in A&P if you have a great instructor but it sounds like you didn't. So if you want to teach yourself, then having some kind of science foundation sounds like a good idea so you understand what you are reading.
My husband did not take chem and he's taking physiology. I've been trying to tutor him on the basics that are relevant to physio but when you don't know what an ion is, how proteins are synthesized, what the elements are, then it can get tricky to understand in an applied manner.
A lot of people don't take chem or bio and still do well. So it's really up to you. You say you have no science background so it may be a good place to start IMO.
This coloring book is so detailed and so fun to color. It really helps me sink in information. It has sold over 4 million copies because the book is THAT good.
Its the kinesthetics...looking at it and using your hands to color the pictures for the various bones and stuff really helps the information sink.
Don't fret! If you don't succeed try try again! I tried to take BIO 201 three times in person and at 3 different schools! I ended up dropping each time, finally I decided to do it online and let me tell you I am finding it much more manageable. Yes it is just as much work as in person BUT I find that everything is much more organized in terms of what will be on the exams etc. When I took it in person I felt like it was a constant guessing game on what would be or not be on the test. Now a WARNING, taking science courses online requires self discipline because no one is holding you accountable. There is no attendance sheet but I am truly finding it so much better.
Don't forget youtube. There are a lot of video tutorials that break information down about any subject/topic. Take advantage of it, especially since it is FREE!!!!
I just looked at a few youtube videos on the topic and wow. Wish I would have thought to look a youtube back then but now I know going forward thanks.
kingdave, have you taken chemistry and/or bio? I know it's not required at a lot of schools to take A&P but let me tell you, if you have a basic foundation in chem and bio, then it's a little easier to understand the concepts in physiology. It took me an extra semester in the long run but having taken chem and bio has been invaluable for me in anatomy, physiology, and microbio.
Yes, you can learn it on the fly in A&P if you have a great instructor but it sounds like you didn't. So if you want to teach yourself, then having some kind of science foundation sounds like a good idea so you understand what you are reading.
My husband did not take chem and he's taking physiology. I've been trying to tutor him on the basics that are relevant to physio but when you don't know what an ion is, how proteins are synthesized, what the elements are, then it can get tricky to understand in an applied manner.
A lot of people don't take chem or bio and still do well. So it's really up to you. You say you have no science background so it may be a good place to start IMO.
I've taken intro to human biology but not chemistry yet. I could be incorrect but it sounds like there was an order that I should have taken the classes to make things simpler. Is this the order Human Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Micorbiology and Organic Chemistry?
Yes the lab instructor (Anatomy) was great I still actually remember and understand a great majority of what was taught in class. However the lecture instructor (Physiology) didn't teach in a way where concepts were easy to understand (the essay portions of the test proved enough for me).
This coloring book is so detailed and so fun to color. It really helps me sink in information. It has sold over 4 million copies because the book is THAT good.
Its the kinesthetics...looking at it and using your hands to color the pictures for the various bones and stuff really helps the information sink.
Try it :] and good luck.
Yes think im 60 visual/30 hands on/10 audio learner.... Thanks so much I will get this book
Don't fret! If you don't succeed try try again! I tried to take BIO 201 three times in person and at 3 different schools! I ended up dropping each time, finally I decided to do it online and let me tell you I am finding it much more manageable. Yes it is just as much work as in person BUT I find that everything is much more organized in terms of what will be on the exams etc. When I took it in person I felt like it was a constant guessing game on what would be or not be on the test. Now a WARNING, taking science courses online requires self discipline because no one is holding you accountable. There is no attendance sheet but I am truly finding it so much better.
Keep your head up!
-Cindy
Thanks for the encouragement... I will try again but think im going to take them as two seperate courses. Hopefully I can get the same anatomy instructor and a better physiology instructor. I was going to attempt the class online but my confidence level in science classes aren't to much above the water.
In my Anatomy class, my prof told us the first day that his class required a minimum of 8 hrs of study time a week. I got really stressed about it but I put in the time and did well. You've gotten some really great tips on how to succeed in these classes. It just takes the time, and get help. I'm sure next time, some of the material will be a review for you and make come much easier for you.
I hear this everyday....they make these classes hard on purpose, trying to weed out the ones who can't hack it. No one wants a nurse working on them who failed through nursing school. Just keep this in mind and try your hardest....you will succeed.
In my Anatomy class, my prof told us the first day that his class required a minimum of 8 hrs of study time a week. I got really stressed about it but I put in the time and did well. You've gotten some really great tips on how to succeed in these classes. It just takes the time, and get help. I'm sure next time, some of the material will be a review for you and make come much easier for you.
I hear this everyday....they make these classes hard on purpose, trying to weed out the ones who can't hack it. No one wants a nurse working on them who failed through nursing school. Just keep this in mind and try your hardest....you will succeed.
Ok I found out two days ago that I picked an instructor who knows physiology but not good at teaching it. I was referred to several instructors who know how to teach anatomy and/or physiology in a way its easy to graps and understand the concepts.
However, a buddy of mine told me about a very good anatomy and physiolgy instructor who I may be interested in. The instructor only teach a special condense hybrid course in the spring semester. The class is setup like this Saturday online introduction to the new anatomy material for in class lecture and lab Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday introduction to the new physiology material for in class lecture and lab Thursday and Friday. The instructor uses a lot of in class and online modles for students to touch and see along with Starwars analogys for concepts. The only problem is that the class is on a condense schedule so there is the potiential that the class will either finish 4 to 6 week earlier than a normal class. Should I attempt this class or stick with one of the good instructors who teach on a normal schedule?
I wouldn't go with the accelerated schedule; you already had difficulties with the vast amount of material covered in a regular-length course so why set yourself up for trouble with an even faster pace? Personally, would only choose an accelerated A+P if I had NO other choice, lol!
StarLite1980
98 Posts
Don't forget youtube. There are a lot of video tutorials that break information down about any subject/topic. Take advantage of it, especially since it is FREE!!!!