Microbiology...

sweetea · Apr 29, 2009

I completely understand. I have never even had a regular biology class. I ended up dropping Micro. So the coming semester, I will take that biology class. I say word for word, what you did. It was like a foreign language. So going back to basics is best. Good luck hun.

PBPointer · Apr 29, 2009

I was very interested in taking microbiology, but my instructor was rough. I know someone who had the same class with a different instructor and loved it. I would spend 10 or more hours just on the weekends studying and the person I know studied a little before the test. My exams were all critical thinking with 2 answers really really close. Her exams were multiple choice and very straight forward.

I don't mind being challenged, but it can be frustrating when someone gets an easier class/professor and a better grade and a higher gpa and a better shot at nursing school.

Different people have different ways to learn. I like flash cards and study groups. Some people record the class and re-write all their notes when they get home.

Like sweetea said a going basic knowledge of biology and chemistry helps a great deal.

Good luck :)

markuskristian · Apr 29, 2009

What I've been doing for micro is drawing my own diagrams of processes e.g. dna replication and immune complementary system. Read it, try to understand it, and then try to apply it by drawing it out. If you're a visual learner, it will help you conceptualize it.

dcRn2b · Apr 30, 2009

I take my micro final next week. This is my second try at it. I never dropped the first time I stuck it out knowing I would have to retake it and Im so glad I didnt choose to drop. Ive heard every lecture twice and it really sunk in this semester. Dont give up you can do it!!

dianajh73 · Apr 30, 2009

I LOVED MICRO - in fact I enjoyed my instructor so much I am her lab assistant this semester which is giving me a chance to sit through lectures again because it is good info. and doesn't hurt to hear it again. Got 97% in class last sem. (fair amount of extra credit I'll admit).

LOTS and LOTS of handwritten flash cards. Especially difficult processes like Glycolysis, Krebs and electron transport. By the time I wrote it out on cards a couple of times it really cemented for me. Also studied pictures in book until I could draw them myself.

Also good to rephrase and reorganize info. Ex. Trying to memorize all the different bugs and their gram reactions individually was impossible until I made separate lists of + and - and then it was easy to remember.

Used a lot of mnemonics and silly sayings to memorize some stuff - Ex. Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas to remember WBCs in order of % - Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils (Used this in A&P and Micro) - another ex. Purines = Adenine and Guanine (because "AG is pure") while Pyramidines = Cytosine, Uracil and Thymine ("Pyramids were CUT out of stone")

Whatever works for you - Good Luck

kbm318 · Apr 30, 2009

I make flashcards as well as going through my notes and rewriting what I feel is important. I also take my final next week and its kicking my butt!

MomWifeNursePractioner, ASN, BSN, MSN · Apr 30, 2009

Thanks! I love my professor, she is amazing is loves micro. I just have a hard time comprehending micro, even though I have about 5 anatomy classes, biochem and organic chem under my belt! It's all those darn eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells...

I had my first test today, it's not a matter of 'if I failed' it's 'how bad did I fail?'....ugh! Study study try try... good thing is lab is worth MORE than lecture and I have a mid B in lab!!!

dcRn2b · Apr 30, 2009

hey all but 3 people in my class failed the first test and still pulled thru dont give up!! Our instructor told us up front the first test is the hardest and they get easier!! Needless to say she was right I failed the first then made a 76 thand then the last test I made a 93!!! Next week is my final and I WILL MAKE ANOTHER A darn it....

CranialNerves12 · Apr 30, 2009

study a little bit everyday rather than cramming the day before a test (easier said than done ) but still, that way the information will sink in little by little and will also be registered in your long term memory, which will be beneficial in the long run! :)

also, study groups are very helpful. When you talk to someone about the concepts and use the "foreign" words in conversation, it will be easier to retain the information, as well as making it the microbiology language a part of your vocabulary! Good luck!!!!

MomWifeNursePractioner, ASN, BSN, MSN · May 1, 2009

I would love to do a study group only this quarter I fear I've bite off a bit more than I can chew! I work, have 3 kids and I am taking Anatomy, research methods and statistics! school-suicide? LOL I'm good in the other classes, and I make myself read 15 minutes from each class everyday... I guess I'm going to have to move micro up 30minutes nightly and study more the week before tests!

Oh, I did find out that you can opt to take a 'comprehensive' final at the end and it will replace your lowest test grade if you do well on it! I think I may opt for that at the end!

Narnian70 · May 2, 2009

I was very interested in taking microbiology, but my instructor was rough. I know someone who had the same class with a different instructor and loved it. I would spend 10 or more hours just on the weekends studying and the person I know studied a little before the test. My exams were all critical thinking with 2 answers really really close. Her exams were multiple choice and very straight forward.
I don't mind being challenged, but it can be frustrating when someone gets an easier class/professor and a better grade and a higher gpa and a better shot at nursing school.

Sounds VERY familiar. I have a friend who is taking Micro at a different local community college. His lab tests are open book. Mine weren't....they were very difficult. No multiple choice questions...always 5 - 10 short essay questions. :crying2: I can't believe the amount of material we were expected to remember. My friend is doing fine and says his exams are all multiple choice, and his professor gives them study guides. The professor I have never did that, and didn't give us any opportunities for extra credit at all.

I'm probably going to have to take it again - and I'll do it at the school my friend attends, with the professor he had. The school he attends REQUIRES that you take A&P I and II prior to Micro, and one of the universities here requires Chem and A&P before Micro. My only pre-req was BIO 101. I did NOT feel prepared for Micro.

This semester has been brutal.

I like a lot of the study ideas in this thread and wish I had read them sooner!