Microbiology in the summer?

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So i only need A&P2 and Micro left before I can start to apply to the associates program at my school. I was planning on taking Micro in the 6 week summer session after this semester and then A&P2 in the fall and then start to apply cause i know it will take more than one application to get in. My anatomy teacher scared me cause he over heard me talking about it and said to be careful not to try and get classes done so fast cause I may screw myself and if I get a bad grade (because it is only 6 weeks) I could screw myself for getting in the program. What is your advice I really just want to start applying and if I don't take Micro in the summer I will need to take it in the spring which will dely me starting to apply... im not sure what to do. At first I thought i'd be okay because it would be my only class and I could really focus on it and I have been doing good in all my sciences so far like AP1 i have an A i just got a 100 on my bones practical.. Has anyone ever taken Micro in a summer session of 6 weeks? How was it?! Opinions? Thanks!

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

I took Microbiology as a summer class, which was 8 weeks in length. It was a LOT of work and we had a quiz & test every week, due to the shortened semester. Plus, we had labs nearly every day (no labs on test days).

Is it do-able? Yes, but I would only recommend it if you feel you are very strong in biology and can solely focus your attention on this class alone. I really enjoyed Micro, especially the labs. However, I can remember studying my a** off and wishing the semester wasn't so short, because there was no break in study/homework time. It's very intensive!

Good luck with your decision! I'm getting ready to take 3 summer classes & 5 fall classes, so I feel your pain!!!

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I have taken Micro in the summer, but it was a 12 week term. Does you school only start in the fall? How far would this prolong your application process? If it is a whole year, I'd say just go balls to the walls for 6 weeks and get it done! If possible I would say take AP2 in the summer instead of Micro in the summer. Why can't you take Micro in the fall? Is there any other school in your area who offers Micro in the summer with a longer term? if so, maybe consider trying to take it there? so long as it transfers of course! Definitely bear in mind Micro is a COMPLETELY different animal than AP I. There is a huge difference between memorizing bones and the daunting task of trying to comprehend Micro. Have you taken Biology and Chemistry? If you've taken basic bio and chem you will be better off, most schools require them for prerequisites of Micro, but I'm not sure about yours.

I'm not sure how old you are or what is going on in your life, but if it were me I'd go for it. I'm almost 25 and I'm very much ready to be done school asap! Micro is hard no matter when you take it and you must study, probably almost twice as much as a typical course. Maybe you'd be better off only taking that one course, focusing on that exclusively for 6 weeks than you would to take it in a regular semester along with 2 or 3 other courses. If you take it, buddy up with someone! My study buddy for Micro helped me quite a bit. If you don't do as well as you would like you can retake it! Not that anyone prefers to do that! You never know what you're really capable of until you push your limits. I somehow successfully completed 20 credits this past summer and 5 of those were Micro. How many credits is this Micro course? Ours was 3 for lecture, 2 for lab, and only one grade for both. I would sign up for the course before it fills up, go to the class, and thoroughly check out the syllabus. Look through the material in the book and the test scheduling to see if it seems possible for you given the time and effort you are able to put into it. If it seems crazy and impossible, drop the class like a bad habit! Just make sure you check about the dates for add/drop because it is probably shorter for the summer. Best of luck!

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iF you don't have to work and can devote at least 8 hours a day to each subject then you can manage it. Micro isn't that hard. Just review your notes and over and over and over and over again... Good luck!

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yeah it would delay my applying by a semester technically i think. And I think it is a 4 credit class, I am pretty sure. And I am 19 so I do have some time but i just really want to start my life ha. I am signed up for the class with my one friend (we had chemistry together) and so if i do decide to take it i am hoping it will help that she is there. And yes I had chem and bio already, it is a pre req. for micro. Idk i think I can do it cause I can put alot of time in and I study like a crazy woman for these classes but I am scared I won't put my all in because i am at the point in school when I am starting to dwindle down. That fire that was driving me really is dying down. I keep waiting for the school to post the teacher thinking that would help cause if it is a hard teacher, hell no. but they still have no posted. Thanks for the replies!

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If you haven't started any clinicals and you think you're winding down, you better find something to wind you back up because nursing classes are not a walk in the park! Prerequisites are really only the beginning to one's nursing education. Sounds like you're well set up to take it, just do it or you'll regret it! Every time you're loosing motivation grab a calculator and multiply your states minimum wage by 40 and then think about living off of that for the rest of life. Trust me, I feel your pain I'm almost 25, and I am very much OVER being a college student so I get it, but do not get lost from your intended path! Stick with it!

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Hi there! I'm taking Micro now. Something else to consider is the course work load. My school used the same textbook for A&P I and II. We did the first 15 chapters in A&P I and the other half of the book during A&P II. Micro, however, is a whole 27-30 chapters in one semester, so it's 5 chapters per test, instead of the 2 or 3 we got in A&P.

If your school does it that way, then it would make for a CRAZY summer term! I am absolutely NOT saying you can't do it, because if you can put the time and effort into it- it's completely possible. Just something to think about. If your school does A&P like mine does, then it might be good to go ahead and do A&P II in the Summer and Micro in the Fall. You're already building your basics in A&P I, so you'll be tackling it while it's fresh. Also- in A&P II, you learn all your budy systems and how they work together. This will help you in Micro because you'll be familiar. you'll need a strong background in the immune system especially to do well in Micro.

I am sure you will succeed with whatever you decide! Keep us posted! :hug:

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU.

I don't have any first-hand experience yet, but I just signed up for a summer Micro class at my CC that's 8 weeks long, so I wanted to jump in here. I took A&P I last summer during a 5-week session. It was a ton of work, especially since I have a full-time job, but I managed to get through it and got an A. I am a firm believer that if you have the motivation and are a determined, disciplined person, you can do anything you set your mind to. I guarantee our Micro classes will be difficult this summer, but I'm not going to let that stop me from trying, and I don't think that should stop you either! If anything, it will only help us prepare for the demanding Nursing courses! :)

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Like any other summer class - it will be much more difficult than taking it for a full term/semester. But if you put in the time then you should be able to do it. Micro isn't really that hard of a class. Just study a bit everyday and you'll be golden.

It's strange to hear about all these people taking micro while doing A&P classes. At my school A&P 1,2, and 3 were prerequisites to taking microbiology. My friends mother took micro at a different school (no A&P prerequisite) and the class was completely different than mine. Mine was all about microbes/zombies(viruses, prions, etc..) and the actual pathogenesis of the diseases they cause - as well as treatment of the disease. My friends mother school was much more general about microbes/zombies. Essentially, my class was focused on microbes/healthcare and my friends mothers class was about microbes in general. So that's probably the reason A&P was required before taking te class.

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Specializes in My own health journey is my expertise..

Wow this is weird finding someone 10 years ago with the very same situation I am facing as @meglet described. I am trying to decide if I should take micro this Summer. I am currently finishing up A&P 1 for the 2nd time (got a C before....a no go for applying to nursing school). The big difference is, I am in my 40s and feel the pressure of getting everything done asap. Hoping to take A&P2 in the fall and then study for my TEAS. With big faith, praying I get accepted into nursing school. 

I would love a follow up to know how everything turned out and where nursing has taken you!

Blessing!?

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Hello, the same thing is happening and I would like to know how was your grade in Microbiology? It was to hard? 

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Specializes in My own health journey is my expertise..

 

Mayela Hernandez said:

Hello, the same thing is happening and I would like to know how was your grade in Microbiology? It was to hard? 

Hi Mayela!

The Microbiology class I took was 5 weeks jam packed with so much info and work. But I loved what I was studying! I took it online with an amazing professor and earned an A. I wish I had taken it over a full semester as it was so quick. It was like trying to absorb info while on a fast train. It was hard in the sense of there being so much detailed information but certainly not impossible. My friends who took it hated it and said it was so difficult. I loved it and found as long as I kept up with the work and attended all lectures, I was able to succeed. Maybe doing it online is easier? But if you do go that route, make sure your school will accept online labs now that we are out of the pandemic. Please feel free to message me if I can be of anymore help. You're going to do great!

Jen?

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