Microbio, Ochem, Hum Anatomy.. is it really possible??

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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hello all!

let me first say that i'm pretty new to allnurses.com. however, what i have read on this site has been incredibly helpful, and i look forward to the support and insight that so many of you can share.

i'm writing because i am about to embark on a tough spring semester (starting next week)....

my schedule includes micro, anatomy, and ochem... i'd like to take all 3 this semester because it would leave me with just physiology in the summer. but!!!! i would like a reality check from any of you who have taken these three at the same time or any of you who can give advice for taking such a strenuous load.

i am considering taking just anatomy and ochem (saving micro for the summer)- but i'd like to get as many done as possible.

the reason why i ask is because i need to get a's in these courses... i am pursuing a second degree bsn, and previously underperformed in my first bachelors (business management). therefore i'd like to continue keeping my 4.0 gpa in all of my pre req's to make me a stronger candidate.

while i understand that all things are possible if u work hard enough at them, i also would like to be realistic about what i am about to take on..

what do you all suggest??

1) stick to all 3

2) spread out the load, and take physiology and micro in the summer

thanks in advance for you advice!!!!

bianca

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Specializes in Hospice & Palliative Care, Oncology, M/S.

My advice, from talking with many people who have attempted the same, is to split your Anatomy and Micro into two separate semesters. Both take unbelievable amounts of time.

When I took Micro, I was often in the lab every single day of the week. Cultures grow on their own time, and should tests have to be repeated, you will have to go in on your own time to do the tests. Anatomy took a lot of time as well, what with spending time in Open lab studying the models and memorizing.

Chemistry didn't take as much time (at least for me), but I still made sure that I took the time to do the questions in the backs of the chapters (which took lots of time, too).

If there is any way you can split your courses up, I would suggest it. I watched a lot of classmates have to drop a course halfway through because it simply became too difficult, or they couldn't find the time to manage all three classes.

That being said, if you feel you can do all three, go for it. There were a few who succeeded in passing all three.

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Specializes in New RN student Fall 2010!!!!.

Hi,

if you have a lot of time to dedicate to your studies and are a good student, it can be done. I did A&P 2 with micro last semester, got my A's. This semester it is Chemistry, statistics and nutrition. I have the same goal. Three is tougher than two though. splitting them up is always better if you had the option.

hope that helped. Chegg.com to rent your books saved me a ton of money!

JEN

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Hi

two semesters ago I took Ochem, Anatomy, College Writing 1, and Human Develp Psyc and passed with A's. If you are not strong in the chemistry area I would suggest not taking all three at the same time! Like the others said Anatomy is purley memorization & as i begin my Microbiology course this semester it seems to be alot of new terms to memorize as well as time spent in the lab! If your looking for all A's i would suggest taking Anat&Ochem, Micro&Phyiso! hope this helps!

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Make sure you dont have a job or at least you have one where you can study while you work. I took Orgo, Anatomy 2, issues in health and was working 40 hours a week so I ended up with a B plus, B and A respectively. It was too intense for me because Im a social worker...

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Are you working? If so, I think this would be a very difficult schedule to have while working. Are you married? Kids? Parental obligations? If yes, I would NOT attempt all 3 of these classes together. If no and you are strong in the biological sciences it can be done. Expect to study 24/7 and that's about all you'll be doing if you want A's. Just my opinion. Good luck.

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Thanks for your advice. I currently dont work full time, only tutor and volunteer. My sciences are not that strong, I just happen to get A's. Im leaning towards just taking 2 classes.

Thanks!

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I had A&P 2 and Micro last year and I found that I had plenty of time to study for both classes.

Had Micro for 3 hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays and A&P 2 for 2 or 3 hours on Mondays and Wednesdays. I didnt have a job though.

Each class had 5 exams. I had a lot of free time since I usually waited to study a day or two before the exams. I'd spend like 5-7 hours total of studying for each exam.

Got an A on A&P2 and a B on Micro. Micro was a tough class and I should have studied harder. Had an A in the first half of the semester, but then I fell off by getting too lazy, lol.

But it usually depends on the difficulty of your professors and how they grade.

My A&P2 teacher only graded 5 exams plus extra credits for the whole semester so all there was to do was study for the exams.

I took chemistry before and If I took it the same time as the other 2 classes, I dont think it'd be impossible to do just as good. It would just be more work.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

It depends largely on your teachers and their grading scale for each class. If your teacher for Microbio. is good/nice you can do them all at the same time. It will be hard, and you will live and breath nothing but school for the semester, but it can be done. I took Anatomy, O-Chem and 2 other classes (one of them a very hard Soc. class). I got a 4.00 for the semester. It was very hard and school was pretty much all I did, but I believe it can totally be done. If you've heard one of the teachers is bad news, then don't take that particular class. But if they are all good, you may want to just go for it. Good luck!!!

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Specializes in Ortho/Trauma.

Yeah, a lot of people in my physio class were also taking o-chem and micro. O-chem is a joke class and micro is the a lot easier than physio and anatomy.

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Hi Bianca,

Thanks for posting! I can totally relate to your situation...although I didn't even get a B.S. in Business(MIS). I had 7 classes left before I dropped out to get married and have kids. I'm attempting to take O-Chem and Anatomy this semester and take Physio in the summer. All my classmates and new RN friends have said that I was crazy for taking O-Chem and Anatomy in the same semester with a new baby. However, they think it's possible if you have the motivation and drive. So good luck to you this semester!

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Thank you for your encouragement!! I agree with you. With the proper motivation, we can do anything! good luck this semester, I'm sure you can do it. we both will

:)

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