Microbiology: first exam. not so hot. :(

i♥words · Feb 15, 2012

I know your pain. I'm taking A&P 2 and chemistry together and it is tough. I'm taking a full load this semester and working 10 hours a week. (But I know many full-time students who also have full-time jobs and give them huge kudos for handling that! One student in my lab works a night shift, gets off in time to get to her eight o'clock class and doesn't get done with classes until late afternoon. When does she sleep?! I digress.)

Let's all take a deep breath here. I feel better now.

I just took my first A&P 2 test and I don't feel so great about it...but I don't know my grade yet. Patience is a virtue, I'm told.

My tip is this: Don't freak out just yet. It's the first test. Even if your grade isn't so great you CAN recover from it. Wait to see what your grade is, then, if you don't like it, talk to the prof about it. Ask him/her for guidance in how to better study for the exams. My profs are pretty helpful.

How many hours to study for each class? Hmm... I'd say as many as you need to know your stuff. I think I study more for A&P 2 than the "two hours for every hour in class" standard. Way more.

Breathe. You can do it.

AJ_427 · Feb 16, 2012

If it makes you feel any better, I got 15% (that's right!) on my last Physics exam. I basically left 10 pages of the exam blank.

I studied my *** off and nothing. I've never had any problems with math (Calculus was a breeze for me) and I froze.

With Bio classes it's all about memorization and understanding. All you can do is study, study more, and then do some more studying. Study until you get it. Is there anything that helps you with studying? What I do when I get ready for my bio exams is I teach the material to myself. I pick one thing, for example, Na+/K+ pump, and I go over the diagram, I make sure I know how to draw the diagram, explain the process, and say everything out loud.

Saysfaa · Feb 16, 2012

To answer your questions.... the rule of thumb for all college classes (not just the hard sciences) is two hours of study time outside of class per credit hour. I'm assuming each of your classes is a 4 credit class... so 16 hours per week (every week), probably a little more as they are hard sciences. But it varies widely according to how well they use their time (everything from picking the time of day and location to being rested to what/how they study) and how much background someone has in that subject area.

And yes, I have felt that way... the most memorable time was when I let the prep for and worry about a stupid speech class mess with my anatomy class.

leenak · Feb 16, 2012

When you get the test back, write down your particular trouble spots.

My Microbiology teacher was big on knowing processes so, for instance, our first test had us write out each of the steps of the Gram stain process and what each step did to the microbes.

It is much later in the semester but on one test, we had to write out the different pathways an antibiotic acted on a bacteria and name a specific drug that acted on that specific pathway. The same thing for antivirals.

So its not only knowledge of the information but knowledge of the processes and why they work.

Reese2012 · Feb 16, 2012

I am currently taking Microbiology and A&P1 together along with working almost 50hours a week. It is tough to manage, but you can do it. Just take it one day at a time. When you know when the next test is, begin studying right away, so your not rushing the night before.

gReeNTwin1, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2012

I am taking Micro and APII together this semester too. I made a 92 on my first micro test, and an 84 on my first APII test, plus I have two small kids, and I work 2 part time jobs. YOU CAN do this!! Study!! Stay on top of the readings and notes. I study a little everyday, and then the day before the test, I don't study as much. When it was time for me to take the test, I could actually see the pages of my notes, plus I could recall information and APPLY it in the scenarios the teacher gave us, not just memorization. Do that, and you'll be fine. HAPPY STUDYING! Eat a banana before studying too! It works for me! LOL!

Thujone · Feb 17, 2012

You need to figure out how you learn best and develop a study routine around that. I typically study about 30 minutes to 1 hours for Microbiology per day. I have develop a studying method that is nearly infallible in all circumstances, and I will share my very simple way of learning with you.

1. Read the Chapter content.

2. Highlight the important material under each subheading.

3. Go into Microsoft Word or a like program and translate the material that you highlighted into questions (they can be in any format that you prefer, I use the definition type of questions.)

4. Print the questions off at least four times a week and complete them.

5. Take test and get an A!

Obviously this is just a study at home guide, you will need to actively take notes while in class as well.

Mbbeasley · Feb 17, 2012

I know your pain.. I took A&P2 and Micro together in a summer semester, Mon-Thurs 8-12 and 5-9 and I was raising my two year old daughter by myself at the time.. I remember I had a few melt downs, lots of crying, pulling my hair out.. but I made it through, and so can you. Don't give up on your goal, just remember this too shall pass.. put in the time, stay focused and it will all be worth it in the end. That semester is now a distant memory for me, I got my LVN and went straight into transitioning for my RN and I'm about to graduate this May. Every semester has difficulties, every semester you may feel like you can't handle any more, but then before you know it, it's over and you are one step closer to your goal. No one says nursing school is easy, just that its worth it in the end. You can do this :)

hopeful616 · Feb 18, 2012

Hi! I'm taking Micro also. I took AP2 last semester, but I feel your pain because I work 43 hours and week and do 4 classes at a time! My best advice is to make bubble charts! I don't think I'll ever go back to flashcards for this stuff again (at least for Micro). Take your main topics and headings and then work your way down. Try to focus on the stuff your teacher covers first. Example- If you're studying shapes and associations of bacteria then make a chart with the title- Characteristics of Bacteria then make two separate bubbles coming off of that one titled- Shapes and the other Associations or Groupings. Then go from there. Under the Shapes heading map out and draw all the shapes. Vibrio, bacillus, coccus, etc. And under the groupings heading do fruiting bodies, biofilms, clusters, etc. And you can make bubbles coming off of those that describe them.

This helped me SO much on my first test (our second is next week!) because it forced me to look at things in terms of groups instead of getting overwhelmed. It made me visualize it all by category.

Don't give up! You can absolutely do this! :) Hope this helps!

♑ Capricorn ♑ · Feb 18, 2012

I took A&P II and micro together so I do know how you are feeling. It can be rough. If you're struggling, consider getting a tutor for one or both classes. Make sure to utilize the full amount of time in lecture and lab to study and do work. Get help from your instructor. You can find a study group and bounce ideas and questions off of other classmates. Make use of the internet for questions you might have. Purchase some supplemental books or aids which might assist you.

Best wishes.

nursingschool* · Feb 19, 2012

Everyone has given good advice. I think we've all been there. First exams are always the toughest - you have no idea what to expect. Learn from this one. Learn where you could have studied differently, how you could have studied better, what you missed. Most of all learn what the instructor is going after and focus on that for next time. Go easy on yourself, adjust, and rock the next exam.