2 lab sciences in 1 semester

goldenscroll · Jul 14, 2007

I lucked out..kind of. The ns I am planning on going to is only going to be starting night and evening classes in jan from now on, which means I wont have to take any labs together! Bad news is it means taking micro on a summer semester.

EGKB · Jul 14, 2007

I lucked out..kind of. The ns I am planning on going to is only going to be starting night and evening classes in jan from now on, which means I wont have to take any labs together! Bad news is it means taking micro on a summer semester.

Don't worry, Micro isn't too bad. It's a lot of information, especially for a shorter summer class, but as long as you keep up with it you will do just fine. At least it's not boring - in my five week (4 hours, 4 days a week) summer class, we do two or three labs each day and the labs really help illustrate what you learn in the lecture. (At least the way our teacher teaches, they do....) The only bad thing is you have to learn the microorganisms that cause all types of diseases, and there are a TON of them... and even having taken medical terminology doesn't help too much when it comes to memorizing those crazy genus/species names!!!

Not to get off topic, but it has been my experience that the people who complain most about how awful certain classes are, or how terrible certain teachers are, are often the ones who put studying off until the night before an exam. My lab table partners can't understand why I ace the exams, while they "struggle" to get C's... But believe me, a lot of them don't do much "struggling" to learn the material as we go along - they pull all-nighters before the exam, then go on and on about how hard they studied.

Anyway, don't let those "micro nightmares" you read about get you too nervous - just keep up with it - study every day - and it will sink in. Good luck to everyone!!

goldenscroll · Jul 14, 2007

I sure hope its not too bad! From what ive read, it does seem interesting. I think micro is an 8w ummer program at my school.

Beggar♂ · Jul 14, 2007

I've taken 2 or 3 lab courses several times, usually coupled with another science or math class and sometimes a GE class. It takes a lot of work and a lot of discipline to do it but I've been able to be very successful while doing so.

I think you need to be very clear about how strong you are in the sciences. I've done a lot of tutoring in chemistry and biology classes and I've come across many students who really labor and struggle just to pass.

I took micro and physio last semester along with statistics and found it to be a lot of work but very "doable" and pulled A's across the board. I found neither class to be difficult conceptually but there is a ton of material and it keeps coming, week after week, so if you get behind, you're toast.

Oh also, do you think haveing good resources will help? I have 2 friends who both work running labs, I know at least one has a masters (I think the other has a bachelors, but not sure that its not her masters)in microbiology, so if I am confused, I can definitely talk to them about it.

No, I don't think it will be of much help, especially in micro. The material isn't difficult, it's voluminous. I don't think you need people to explain things, you just need to study over and over until it sticks in your brain. In physio, tutoring is more useful.

casi, ASN, RN · Jul 14, 2007

I took chem (which had labs that lasted 2-10hrs every week), A&P1, and a online women's global studies course all in the same semester while working 28hr/wk. I nearly went insane, but it was very doable. One just needs to be rather organized to do it. I'm not an organized person, but by the end of the semester I ended up with B's in Chem and A&P and an A in Women's Studies.

mozarkian · Jul 15, 2007

I'm registered for APII and Micro this fall. Last semester I had Chem, API, medical terminology, and a New Testament History class (required for graduation from this Univ.) I received all A's. I'm not really nervous about the number of lab sciences I'm taking at the same time, but I've certainly learned to prioritize and study every day. I found that keeping up with things is a great help. If you fall behind and find yourself cramming you're in a heap of trouble.

I also discovered that studying in smaller blocks of time works for me. I simply cannot sit down for 4 hours on one subject. Take it in smaller chunks and you'd be amazed how much your brain can absorb.

Good luck everyone

julesradio · Jul 15, 2007

I am scheduled to do A&P I and Micro in the same semester. My advisor sats it is doable and the class actually compliment each other.

Good luck all.

SunnyCaRN · Jul 16, 2007

Hi Golden,

I think you can do it! I'm taking Chem and A&P I this fall semester along with a BIO nutrition class to get my full time status for financial aid. Spring I'm taking Micro and A&P II and probably SOC. Does your school offer online classes? May-be you can get your third class online-you need to be dedicated but online classes offer greater flexibility. Any way it sounds like you are dedicated.

You can do it -I have 2 boys at home and they pitch in so if your family helps I think you will survive. Just remember to treat yourself!!

I think we should start a fall A&P sticky for support!

aaa rn, RN · Jul 17, 2007

I took AP I and Micro at the same time, by the same teacher. The teacher tried to dissuade me from taking the two courses. I did not relent, I just considered myself forewarned. My persistance payed off--I got an A in both courses. The key to my success was the use of a tape recorder (now called a digital recorder)--So, my advice is for you to go to an electronic store and ask the sales person for a reliable, long recording, user-friendly device. You will not regret the investment.

Good luck and don't forget to breath!!!

Sincere24 · Jul 17, 2007

I have the same problem i'm taking A&P I this fall and after I have to take part II with Micro or take Micro summer 08 but that means I will not get into nursing school until fall 09 but if I take A&P II and Micro together in spring 08 I will get into nursing school spring 09. I don't know what to do

Beggar♂ · Jul 17, 2007

Having already rendered an opinion and having read all of those preceding this I'd like to make this statement:

Nobody can answer that question for you. All of us are unique in our intellects, academic skills, and life situations and hence you'll find answers all over the board.

For me, it's not a big deal. I did it and earned a 4.0 in 16 units that semester. On the other hand, we lost about 50% of our class in physio and about the same in micro. Even at that, I know a few people who failed. Most of those people were not doubled up on those classes.

Here's the approach I would take:

Assess the scheduling impact of taking the classes sequentially
Assess the impact of earning various grades in each class
Based on your personal academic history, your current commitments and motivation, and what people say about the specific instructors offering the classes, estimate probabilities of earning different grades
Using the answers to the preceding three points, set up a decision matrix

Personally, I would go for it and be ready to pull out the stops and sacrifice most everything else to earn the best grades I could.

Several posters have said, "You can do it." I don't know whether you can or can't (neither do they). I know that I could (& have) but I am an atypical student. I know that some others can but I've also seen many who couldn't.

Talk to other students about those teachers and perhaps go visit the teachers themselves. Talk to your friends and family about the support that they can offer you. Pray and meditate and cogitate on it and go with your gut.

I would probably start the classes and hold off on your decision until the last day before the drop deadline. At the local CC, it's always after the first test and sometimes even after the second.

Best of luck to you.