Microbio and A&P together after being out of school

sunray12 · Dec 23, 2008

To be on the safe side you might want to consider taking the classes one semester at a time. Even if your school doesn't have summer classes there are probably plenty of other schools you can find that do have summer classes. At some schools A&P is a prereq for Micro so it would probably help you to take them in that order.

js408 · Dec 23, 2008

Find out what the last date is to drop without taking an F. Take both classes, see how it goes, and if it becomes a problem, decide which class you're doing better in and drop the other. My school even gives you a full refund if you drop during the first two weeks.

Hello everyone,
I know that many people have asked this question already. I was hoping to hear from people that have done this already.
This is my situation, I'm going to begin taking my pre-reqs in the spring of 2009 in hopes of applying for programs for the fall of 2010. I have been out of school for 8 years now. I took alot of science courses as an undergrad but I hardly remember anything. I do remember taking 2 science classes w/labs in one semester and thinking that it was diffucult. The reason why I want to take these 2 classes together is because I had a low gpa as an undergrad. I was hoping to get good grades and show the nursing schools that I'll be applying to that I can get good grades. This way, by the time I begin the application process in November of 2009, I would have already taken these classes (the school that I'll be attending for the pre-reqs does not offer bio summer courses).
A friend of mine told me to not do this since I taking 2 science classes with labs is like taking 4 classes, she said that it will too rigoruous specially since I have been out of school for so long.
What do you guys think? How feasible is this? Also, I'm working full time 8-5pm.
Thanks for you input!

Absolutely13 · Dec 23, 2008

Hello everyone,
I know that many people have asked this question already. I was hoping to hear from people that have done this already.
This is my situation, I'm going to begin taking my pre-reqs in the spring of 2009 in hopes of applying for programs for the fall of 2010. I have been out of school for 8 years now. I took alot of science courses as an undergrad but I hardly remember anything. I do remember taking 2 science classes w/labs in one semester and thinking that it was diffucult. The reason why I want to take these 2 classes together is because I had a low gpa as an undergrad. I was hoping to get good grades and show the nursing schools that I'll be applying to that I can get good grades. This way, by the time I begin the application process in November of 2009, I would have already taken these classes (the school that I'll be attending for the pre-reqs does not offer bio summer courses).
A friend of mine told me to not do this since I taking 2 science classes with labs is like taking 4 classes, she said that it will too rigoruous specially since I have been out of school for so long.
What do you guys think? How feasible is this? Also, I'm working full time 8-5pm.
Thanks for you input!

Hello Lola,

If it's been 8 years since you took general biology, I think you would be better served by taking micro and A&P I in separate terms. A&P I starts right off the bat with cell biology at a much deeper level than general biology covers. I think you'll be playing catch-up, but it's doable. I wouldn't want to have micro looming over my head at the same time. Especially with GPA as a consideration, I would think about this very carefully.

I have read about people doing miraculous things academically here at allnurses, so don't let me be a wet blanket. I have taken those classes and gave you an honest opinion based on my experience.

Good luck

scuba-girl, BSN · Dec 23, 2008

Do not do that. It's true, it's like four HARD classes, in the end you'll not only get bad grades in two (out of the four), but you won't learn that stuff either.

polka-dot, RN · Dec 23, 2008

In order to get A's, both of those classes took over my life...and I took each one seperately. Granted, I worked while taking Micro, and I had two other non-science classes while taking A&P...but I've seen people do them at the same time, and even the brightest students who have their study habits down pat have to give it 110% to get A's. I know you wanted to hear from someone who had done this, so I can at least tell you what I've observed...

One guy in my micro class was taking both...he pulled MANY all-nighters (I'm pretty sure he still got an A in each class though). A friend of mine took both AND works full-time and she is getting A's in each. She studies ALL THE TIME. She doesn't have kids or a house to take care of...she studies. That's it. She was actually taking AP2, so she knew what to expect (and the anatomy with AP2 is a cakewalk...it's the anatomy of AP1 that is such a killer, IMHO)...but she got her tush handed to her in micro...and she is an extremely, extremely bright person.

The risk of taking both classes and then dropping the one you're doing poorly in, is that your grades in both are likely to suffer initially...why risk getting two marginal grades on your first exams when you can get one fabulous A and start the semester off on the right foot? Besides, many schools have huge waitlist for those classes and taking the spot of somene else when you know you are going to likely drop is very frustrating for those who wait semester after semester to get into these classes.

I am sure you will hear from someone who took both, worked full time while raising two small children and got A's in each...but I would say that is NOT at all the norm. And please don't take the path that many do and look for a professor who is known as "easy"...especially for A&P. My advise would be to search for the most rigorous and talented teacher you can find and give it your all for each class...you'll learn more and you'll enjoy it more, too.

If you want to take more than one class...take some of the "fluffier" pre-req classes...nutrition, human development, psych, communication...it's a nice balance to use different parts of your brain!

GOOD LUCK!

NewGoalRN · Dec 23, 2008

While this is highly unadviseable, if you are a driven person and are willing to commit alot of time to studying, it can be done with decent grades

I will be taking AP2, Micro and Nutrition in the Spring semester. I have already contacted the Micro and Nutrition teachers to find out what they will cover the first month. I have purchased the books and am already two chapters ahead that I have read twice. I'm still waiting on my AP teacher to email me back.

I took AP1 for 10 wks, Psych for 4 wks and Sociology for 4 wks this Fall Semester after having taking Biology (B) over 18 ys ago and Chem (D).

I got a 4.0 but what I did was contacted the teachers early and read 2 chapters ahead. Also, I paid very good attention in class, stayed behind in lab when most of the class spilt, schmoozed with my AP teacher, took good notes and reviewed my material several times. For AP, I always took 1/2 day off during the day of exam and went to school library and studied. This helped me immensly.

If you have alot of commitments, and are not a driven person, don't do it.

FLmomof5 · Dec 24, 2008

Like you, I had a low GPA in my first undergrad degree. I hadn't been in school since 1984 and hadn't seen a Biology book since 1976!

That being said, I only took 2 courses per semester and I broke them out so that I did not take A&P and Micro courses in the same semester. I took 1 "easy" class with 1 "hard" class to maximize my GPA and allow me to focus more on the science class. I ended up taking micro prior to A&PII. I wish I had taken them in the other order because the professor acted like we all knew A&PII stuff and I didn't. I still got an "A", but I spent a lot of class time confused.

I am a very motivated person and contrary to the indications of my first GPA, I have a very high IQ. I worked full time while being a single mom and taking all of these courses (got married this past Sept). I think that I would have regretted taking those 2 courses in the same semester. I was getting burned out as it was! :banghead:

Like all the advice before mine, I recommend splitting them into separate semesters.

Lola89, LPN, LVN · Dec 24, 2008

Can I just say that I love this forum :redbeathe

Thank you everyone for your input. You have helped greatly, really appreciate it. I think that I'll listen to you all and take only 1 science course. I'll see about taking a class in the summer at another school. Although I would like to believe that I'll be super dedicated, I rather play it safe and stick to one and get a good grade.

Hope that everyone is having a great holiday!