Learning A & P - Got Pointers?

gchickie · Apr 5, 2005

I agree, getting a head start is always a nice idea, however my instructor too-did skip a lot of information that was in the book. We went over the "parts" in lab, and if you want to start looking at anything, I'd start to memorize those. Skull, bones, muscles, arteries & veins-and that's the order WE learned them in.

Heck, even brushing up on some of the easy no-brainer bones that we all learned in elementary school will be helpful.

I too, took pictures with my digital camera for lab. Took pictures of all the models from different angles because they were what he pointed to for the tests. Print them at home on 8x10 paper & label them. I carried them to work & everywhere.

And, as said above, I found the text book websites the most helpful. They have online quizzes which helped immensely.

watchthis22 · May 20, 2005

When studying for A&P, you can become overloaded, especially in the short summer semesters. I found that if you stay on top of the material and don't get behind you have a much better chance of coming out on top (with some sanity). My most precious possession during A&P (most specifically Advanced Physio) was a good dry erase board. You can easily draw pictures and make charts or mnemonics to help you remember. I have heard it said that if you write something 7 times you will know it....I am not sure if that is true, but the board really helped me remember all the required formulas and drawings.

Roseyposey · May 20, 2005

As others have said, learn the bones, because you definitely will need to know all of them. Study the anatomical positions. Most importantly, just be ready to learn - I took anatomy in a summer class and it is very important to keep up. If you get behind, you may not be able to catch back up. Also, make the most of lab time. For me, working with the models was the most helpful. My school library had models which we could check out and study, and that helped me. A good coloring book is useful too.

LeiaT · May 20, 2005

DO NOT MISS CLASS!

Read the entire chapter, whether or not you have to. I read before my lectures, then after them and they made so much sense the second time around...it's like READ, you get a little bit, LECTURE, you get more, the READ again, and you'll feel like you know it.

Get to know your teacher, let her know you're serious and she'll be very willing to help you out.

shelbo · May 20, 2005

HI there! I am taking A&P this summer and doing some self-teaching stuff to prepare. Do you have any suggestions on where I should start? And any suggestions on learning this stuff would be great! THANKS!!!

:yeah: Great, an individual that believes in being prepared!!! I have done self-study, and just completed A&P II. The most important things for me was directional planes and terminology. These will help you the most when the professor is talking so that you will understand what he is saying. Next will be tissue types, cells, and what stem cells they derive from. (Endoderm, Mesoderm, Ectoderm). You will probably then move on to bones, muscles and organs. When you get to organs, I would spend a lot of time on the heart (path of blood flow) and the kidneys (especially reabsorption of water and why) You will not remember everything, so don't get frustrated. When you take A&PII, it will be easier. You will understand more, and it will all come together. The only other advice I can give you that will help you is to not get into a study group where you are always explaining things to others. It may reinforce your knowledge to teach, but it will slow you down in your studies. Get into a group that challenges you. Also stay away from people that want all your answers. They will drag you down and take up all your time. I hope this helps. Good luck in your endeavors.

GrnHonu99, RN · May 20, 2005

HI there! I am taking A&P this summer and doing some self-teaching stuff to prepare. Do you have any suggestions on where I should start? And any suggestions on learning this stuff would be great! THANKS!!!

HI!!! here are a few pointers

1. notecards work wonders

2. keep up with your reading

3.aim for comprehension not just memorization..you will find if you understand how the system works it will be easier to remember the names of all the parts!!:)

4. here is an awesome website that works wonders...click on "student edition" not teachers edition on the first page...then if you click on essential study partner it basically is like an interactive text book! there are also online quizzes, crosswords, labeling excersizes, notecards...all kinds of good stuff!!

http://www.mhhe.com/saladin3

good luck!

oh i am also going to try to post all of my AP notes and review sheets and whatnot online...once I get them up if anyone is interested in seeing them let me know! im trying to do the same for my micro, pathophys and pharm if anyone is interested in those as well:)

medsurgnurse, RN · May 20, 2005

HI there! I am taking A&P this summer and doing some self-teaching stuff to prepare. Do you have any suggestions on where I should start? And any suggestions on learning this stuff would be great! THANKS!!!

Most of the suggestions have been directed toward memorizing 'where stuff is". I suggest learning 'what does it do?" For example not just learning where the pancreas liver, gallbladder are located, but what function does each organ perform. You'll get an A and be so happy later when in nursing courses.