Microbiology is stressing me out

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I am currently taking Microbiology for nursing students at my college. This is my last class before I begin nursing school in the fall and it is stressing me out. According to our syllabus, we are two chapters behind schedule and I am worried that we won't finish before the end of the class on July 28th. We have had our first test and I definitely did not do as well as I would have hoped. I did pass though. I have been pouring over everything my professor has covered in class but it is a LOT of material and she doesn't focus on things that other micro professors focus on. I want to do well on my next exam and I've already written flash cards for the chapters we have covered, created quizlet flash cards, and also focused on key points on the white board I have at home. I want to do well on this next exam and I am wondering if anyone has any study tips for me to help me calm down and perhaps what the main focus's your micro class focused on. Thanks for any help.

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I took micro geared twd nursing students in the summer too (it was actually regular micro but the teacher said he especially teaches with medical and nursing students in mind) Summer science classes are rough!

Hmm tips. Well first don't worry about finishing in time that's the teacher's responsibility so let that go.

What always works for me when studying is rewriting my notes and using the chapter questions to study from. I know you made flashcards but sometimes you have to write them over verbatim..at least for me.

Anything in particular you struggle with or simply the amount of info in a short time? It's sometimes good when you have that much info to retain to sacrifice as few areas you can't get to in time or just don't get. I had to do that with my genetics class but it worked. Know most of it good even if it means skipping something completely.

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Specializes in CTICU.

Don't worry about whether the teacher is behind. Flash cards and listening to recorded lectures on my commute were what earned the grade I did. It's a lot of material, but if the study technique you're using isn't doing it for you, figure out where you're falling short before trying something else.

I wish I had some solid advice for you but I don't know what in particular you're struggling with. Maybe instead of making flash cards, utilize the questions at the ends of the chapter instead of making your own up.

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Does the teacher follow along with your text book at all? I have found it helpful to take out my notes, my textbook, and any power points that may be available online and make note cards that way. Even if the teacher didn't cover it well in class, if it is just briefly mentioned I will make a note card on it from info in the text book.

I am taking micro this summer along with anatomy II, AND two online classes so I feel your stress. Luckily our summer semesters are almost 2.5 months long, so it's not that bad. Good luck and it will be over soon!

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She actually does not lecture from the text. She is old school and uses the projector and has even told us, "if it is not written on this projector, I will not ask it." She picks out the important things and covers that so our tests come straight from notes but it is A LOT of material.

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Specializes in CTICU.

If the test is only on what she teaches, then don't go beyond that. Don't overwhelm yourself with the textbook. Go by your notes, and record your lectures if listening will help you. That's how my prof was, I didn't even open the textbook for the whole class

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In that case, I would just make note cards immediately after each lecture and learn the cards a section at a time. Study a few times a day if possible.

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Thank you for your advice!

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Specializes in Neonatal, Peds, Womens' Health, and Ment.

Also I would suggest that you get together with other students from your class, because they may have caught something you missed or vis versa, and I'm sure everyone is feeling a bit overwhelmed with the amount of material because that's just how micro is, it's a lot. But studying together outside of class helps.

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Specializes in CTICU.
Also I would suggest that you get together with other students from your class, because they may have caught something you missed or vis versa, and I'm sure everyone is feeling a bit overwhelmed with the amount of material because that's just how micro is, it's a lot. But studying together outside of class helps.

Group studying definitely helped me, you can bounce questions off of eachother and it helps to have to dig for information to answer your peers questions

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Oncology.

It looks like you're already doing a lot to ensure you grasp the material. Personally, I aced Micro because of Quizlet. It helped me so much through Micro and A&P.

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Update: I studied SO hard for the rest I had on Tuesday. I made paper flash cards, I made Quizlet flash cards, I used my white board, and I did the mock exams Quizlet generated for me. I made a B on my exam!! It brought my grade up 5 points and I am so happy. I have two and a half weeks of class left and two more lecture exams. If I make an 85 or above on both, I will have a B for the summer semester for lecture and I have an A in lab currently. Hurray! *Whew!*

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