Most Challenging?

GAC3 · Nov 23, 2006

I am just fininshing my first semester of Chemistry and my first semester of A&P. I am working full time, have not been to school since 1978, and am loving every class! I am currently getting a 97% in A&P. I only tell you this because I am going to tell you my secret - maybe there is something to it.

1) I determine to STAY INTERESTED in every topic. I am determined to know and understand everything I can. Time spent in lecture, lab, and study at home when I am distracted or bored is time wasted...better not to do it.

2) If I can find or make the time (which I seldom can), I read throught the material before it is presented in lecture.

3) In class, I seldom bring a book or paper. I listen to the teacher, trying to follow everything he is presenting, asking relevant questions as they come to mind (oh, I also sit in the very front row); if I have time I stay after to ask questions.

4) Before each announced quiz or test I find quality time to read carefully through the relevant chapter, making sure that I understand what I am reading; I will even stop and do a Googal search to try and better visualize or understand something if I feel the need (yes, it takes me awhile to read). I will also make use of available online textbook resources like quizzes, animations, study guides, etc.

5) When I take the test, I mark my test with a "-" beside every question that I am not positive about and an "x" beside every one that I definitely do not know. Then I grade myself before I turn the exam in 1/2 of all the "-" and all of the "x" I consider missed. Later, when I review the exam, these are the questions that I especially look at and restudy for any future exams.

6) Finally, and most importantly, (I promise you I am not preaching) since I confidently believe that God created the body and therefore understands it perfectly, I ask Him to help me to understand what He made and to understand Him better as I appreciate His creativity. It is true that man has put confusing names to all of it, but it is God's work anyway. I also expect that it would make sense for me to try to make use of what I am learning so that I can be as healthy as I can be - that would show appreciation for the Creator.

BSNtobe2009 · Nov 23, 2006

I used to do #5 all the time, until professors started getting lazy all you got back was your answer sheet because they didn't want to do something amazingly radical and come up with a new test every semester. Old tests were always key for me doing well in a class as it helped me get an overview of what the professor felt was important, and how their thought process worked in teaching the material.

lisabeth · Nov 23, 2006

Thank you for sharing those with us. Sounds like some really awsome study habits.

I am just fininshing my first semester of Chemistry and my first semester of A&P. I am working full time, have not been to school since 1978, and am loving every class! I am currently getting a 97% in A&P. I only tell you this because I am going to tell you my secret - maybe there is something to it.
1) I determine to STAY INTERESTED in every topic. I am determined to know and understand everything I can. Time spent in lecture, lab, and study at home when I am distracted or bored is time wasted...better not to do it.
2) If I can find or make the time (which I seldom can), I read throught the material before it is presented in lecture.
3) In class, I seldom bring a book or paper. I listen to the teacher, trying to follow everything he is presenting, asking relevant questions as they come to mind (oh, I also sit in the very front row); if I have time I stay after to ask questions.
4) Before each announced quiz or test I find quality time to read carefully through the relevant chapter, making sure that I understand what I am reading; I will even stop and do a Googal search to try and better visualize or understand something if I feel the need (yes, it takes me awhile to read). I will also make use of available online textbook resources like quizzes, animations, study guides, etc.
5) When I take the test, I mark my test with a "-" beside every question that I am not positive about and an "x" beside every one that I definitely do not know. Then I grade myself before I turn the exam in 1/2 of all the "-" and all of the "x" I consider missed. Later, when I review the exam, these are the questions that I especially look at and restudy for any future exams.
6) Finally, and most importantly, (I promise you I am not preaching) since I confidently believe that God created the body and therefore understands it perfectly, I ask Him to help me to understand what He made and to understand Him better as I appreciate His creativity. It is true that man has put confusing names to all of it, but it is God's work anyway. I also expect that it would make sense for me to try to make use of what I am learning so that I can be as healthy as I can be - that would show appreciation for the Creator.

lisabeth · Nov 23, 2006

You are really smart getting your Chemistry out of the way before you ever start your other classes. I have done well without any chemistry, but it would have made everything so much easier to grasp and understand. I really think everything else builds on chemistry. Best of luck to you.

Okay, I am almost done with Chemistry, and even though I am doing good. (Yippee) I am a little anxious about my next class: General A&P. I was wondering which science classes you found to be the most challenging and why. Also, what is the best way to really understand A&P?
Thanks.

blueyesue · Nov 23, 2006

I am just fininshing my first semester of Chemistry and my first semester of A&P. I am working full time, have not been to school since 1978, and am loving every class! I am currently getting a 97% in A&P. I only tell you this because I am going to tell you my secret - maybe there is something to it.
1) I determine to STAY INTERESTED in every topic. I am determined to know and understand everything I can. Time spent in lecture, lab, and study at home when I am distracted or bored is time wasted...better not to do it.
2) If I can find or make the time (which I seldom can), I read throught the material before it is presented in lecture.
3) In class, I seldom bring a book or paper. I listen to the teacher, trying to follow everything he is presenting, asking relevant questions as they come to mind (oh, I also sit in the very front row); if I have time I stay after to ask questions.
4) Before each announced quiz or test I find quality time to read carefully through the relevant chapter, making sure that I understand what I am reading; I will even stop and do a Googal search to try and better visualize or understand something if I feel the need (yes, it takes me awhile to read). I will also make use of available online textbook resources like quizzes, animations, study guides, etc.
5) When I take the test, I mark my test with a "-" beside every question that I am not positive about and an "x" beside every one that I definitely do not know. Then I grade myself before I turn the exam in 1/2 of all the "-" and all of the "x" I consider missed. Later, when I review the exam, these are the questions that I especially look at and restudy for any future exams.
6) Finally, and most importantly, (I promise you I am not preaching) since I confidently believe that God created the body and therefore understands it perfectly, I ask Him to help me to understand what He made and to understand Him better as I appreciate His creativity. It is true that man has put confusing names to all of it, but it is God's work anyway. I also expect that it would make sense for me to try to make use of what I am learning so that I can be as healthy as I can be - that would show appreciation for the Creator.

Thank you so much. I really like 1,5 and especially #6. I will definitely follow this advice. :cool:

blueyesue · Nov 23, 2006

You are really smart getting your Chemistry out of the way before you ever start your other classes. I have done well without any chemistry, but it would have made everything so much easier to grasp and understand. I really think everything else builds on chemistry. Best of luck to you.

:kiss I was petrified of Chemistry. I almost didn't sign up for the RN program because of it. I am very glad that I somehow grabbed enough courage to do it. It is easier than I thought it would be.

MB37 · Nov 23, 2006

I don't know that A&P is harder than chem, but it is different. Whereas chemistry is learning a concept and a lot of application - balancing equations, etc.; A&P is just a ton of memorization. You have to know how everything works, but it's just straight learning the info. No math. That can make it easier or harder. A&P reminds me more of micro, personally. If you're doing well in chemistry I'm sure you'll be OK in A&P. Just don't psych yourself out! Good luck!

Heloisea3 · Nov 24, 2006

If you do well in Chemistry, you should be fine in A&P. I felt that A&P was difficult but that was mainly because I took it over the summer, and it was very time consuming. It is a lot of memorization, and it took me a long time to remember all of those bones, muscles, etc. I don't think it is as difficult as Chemistry, but it definitely takes more time than Chemistry. I found it really helpful in A&P to start studying immediately when we started something new. It would be very difficult to cram for some of the A&P labs at the last minute, but I did see a few people who did and still managed to pull off B's after staying up all night. I just didn't happen to be one of them. I went to the science learning center every chance I got to look at models, and I would study my notes a little everyday. I am a big time procrastinator, but I simply wasn't able to put A&P off as long as some things. That class cured me of that problem. lol Also, I found it EXTREMELY helpful to use the CD that came with our textbook. It really helped me to understand some of the more difficult concepts. I strongly recommend it. Good luck!!!!!

stpauligirl · Nov 24, 2006

You are really smart getting your Chemistry out of the way before you ever start your other classes. I have done well without any chemistry, but it would have made everything so much easier to grasp and understand. I really think everything else builds on chemistry. Best of luck to you.

Starting next semester it will be required to have completed Chem before taking Microbiology....I think it's a good thing since so many people did terrible in my micro class without chemistry background.

catzy5 · Nov 24, 2006

:kiss I was petrified of Chemistry. I almost didn't sign up for the RN program because of it. I am very glad that I somehow grabbed enough courage to do it. It is easier than I thought it would be.

I ditto this!! I actually decided to go for the lvn program last year to avoid chem. Then I had a change of heart and knew my heart was to be an Rn and I should atleast try! So I did and although its alot of studying for me I am doing ok.

PurrRN · Nov 24, 2006

I personally found Microbiology to be the most challenging class I've taken to date. I'm just finishing up my first semester of NS and the amount of time I have to take to understand the concepts now, still doesn't rival the time I spent trying to understand Micro. It's a tough course.