Microbiology

Despareux · Aug 25, 2010

I love Micro. No, I mean, really loooove Micro. :) Anyway [before I start drooling on myself], Micro was one of those classes where drawing the bacteria and drawing out concepts were most useful for me [and seemingly, for many other students as well]. Reading the text was just as important, too, so don't skimp on that.

Discussing concepts with your peers or even someone at home like your kids and husband for instance, can be a lot of fun, especially when teaching the kids [and maybe some husbands] why it's important to not pick their noses after making mud pies.

Make it interesting by using various avenues of learning techniques--Find the one(s) that works for you.

ErinRN2B · Aug 25, 2010

I love love LOVED Micro, too. My instructor was awesome and incredibly smart. Our labs were fun and I always came out of them feeling like I actually learned something.

I took Micro a couple of semesters ago, so it's not super fresh in my mind. But the things I remember that really helped me were:

- Keep your notes all in one binder, folder, etc. arranged chronologically. A lot of the material builds on past concepts and I found myself flipping back in my notes a lot to double-check a particular concept.

- Take notes during your lab even if you instructor doesn't tell you to. Almost no one took notes during lab in my class, but lab concepts often showed up on exams.

- If you're taking or have taken A&P, try to make connections between the two. This will help you in both class. Towards the end of my Micro class we started getting into the immune system and the body's defenses, which tied in with what were covering in A&P.

And have fun! I wish I could take Micro again. When I go on to get my BSN after I finish my ASN, I'm planning on taking a more advanced Micro course.

happy2learn · Aug 26, 2010

I love Micro! Just finished my last exam and am proud to have an "A."

I thought it was more difficult than A&P. My best resource was notes my professor provided. One was lecture notes and the other were notes on his powerpoints.

I don't think I would've gotten an A had I not had a teacher who loves Micro and really desires for his students to learn. He really explained everything in a way that made it easy to understand. The labs were fun too.

I always read my textbook assignment readings, sometimes a few times. I read every note he provided as well. I also took notes during lab, on separate sheets. We had to turn in our lab pages, and many people took notes on those pages and never got them back.

Read the textbook, read every note, read your lab info, and enjoy it. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and really soak in what you are doing in lab. Your labs should really make you understand certain concepts.