Microbiology help

[amg21]

This is my last semester if i pass the TEAS test before I go into nursing next fall! I need help with microbiology! i am struggling to keep up with everything. There is so much to know about protozoa and bacteria and viruses, etc. Any help, pointers or just anything? Thank you all so much!

[Kuriin, BSN, RN]

So, what's the difference between bacteria and viruses? Look at the diseases that they cause. What does Strep B cause? What does Strep A cause? What's a serious syndrome that S. aureus causes if it's surrounded by blood for long periods of time (hint: think tampons). Make dichotomy charts. Microbiology is all about memorization. A tough class indeed, but, it was my favorite class of all time.

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

Ask your faculty advisor or professor if there is a student that they know did well in micro last year (or last semester) that still attends your school that may be a good tutor. I did that with A&P and it helped me a lot. Students who have "been there-done that" recently make the best tutors because they still know the material and can relate to a student's difficulty.

Some schools actually offer work study positions for students to tutor in this way (mine did) others may expect you to pay for it-even so, it is probably worth it!

[Kuriin, BSN, RN]

One suggestion is focus on one organism at a time. Then quiz yourself on everything about that organism.

[dorkypanda]

Micro requires a lot of reading and studying so do those on a daily basis. Review your notes after you had class. Do you own a voice recorder? Those help making your notes more detailed and will also tie loose ends you may have when in class. Class notes you write on your printed powerpoints may be too scattered and not clear sometimes. does your professor have study guides posted on their site? Please use these as they direct your attention while reading. You should have skimmed or read some of the chapter before class started. This way you will have seen a chapter more than once and it doesn't seem foreign to you. Do you know anyone or have talked to someone in class who seems to understand what's going on in class? Talking to others may help you out.

I took micro during summer at a faster pace and so I had to study daily in order to not be behind schedule. It seems like you're taking micro during a normal semester, you have a bit more time to understand the material. I suggest you to study everyday if you can. Also contact your professor whenever you are confused about something.

Good luck in your course

Micro wasn't a course where it was too easy but it was not terribly difficult. If you put in your time and energy I think you will do fine.

[dorkypanda]

I forgot to mention, the lab portion of micro you should expect to be in there for a few hours. It sounds long but this is where you learn and pratice your skills that will help you toward discovering your unknown bacterias near the end of class. My lab had posters plastered on the fridge and wall,so if yours does too take a look at them! If it helps you out take pics of the posters.

[amg21]

Yes, we actually are going to be making our own pathogen posters soon! I love the class already and I thoroughly enjoy lab! Thanks so much for your help!

[amg21]

we actually do have a tutoring center and I plan to go there tomorrow to get peer help! Thanks!

[GingerRN17]

I also record the lectures on my phone. That way I can listen to them again, take better notes, ect. I read everything ahead of time, so that in lecture I already know most of it, and I can ask questions about things I might not quite understand. Also, just BEING THERE in lab and lecture is critical. I also got an "EZ Microbiology" book on Amazon, which is like a cliffnotes version of Micro. And a coloring book, so I can spend lots of time looking at the structures. I am a hands on type learner, so this has really helped me!

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Study. It is hard work. Yes it is a challenge that is the point.