Need Advice and Encouragement

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Mar 30, 2004

Hello all,
I am having a real hard time with A&P I. The course is only taught by one professor who failed 60% of her students last semester. He exams are ridiculous and the lab practical exams are even worse. I study and study and can't seem to do any better.
For example, my first lab practical consisted of histology slides where we had to identify what the slide was whether it was mitosis, cardiac muscle tissue, stratified epithelial etc. We had one minute per station (50) stations in all. I got a 60 on that exam.
The next one is supposed to be even worse...identifying bones lying on the lab table, whether it is left or right, where it articulates and the study of muscles will also be on the exam. I'm worried that I will not pass and am wondering if I am having so much trouble with this science class will I continue to have trouble with the rest. I am a non-traditional student, 49 yeras old and about 2 years out in getting my BSN.
If anyone has any suggestions on how to study and memorize these things I'd greatly appreciate it! Thanks in advance.
sprklplnty

Hi there,

Sounds pretty typical of an A & P I class. Have you tried tutoring sessions, extra lab time to study the bones? Some people like the coloring books you can purchase. Also I liked A.D.A.M it's an Anatomy program for the computer you can purchase that has practicals you can study with. Hope this helps!

manna, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2004

Do you have open lab hours you can go in and view the slides and handle the bones to get a better feel for them? Are their any study groups within the class you could join?

Good luck! I agree with the other poster, sounds like a typical A&P class to me.

A&P I loved - it just made sense to me. Chem (taking it this semester), on the other hand, I'm having a helluva time with (and terrified I won't pass, and won't get to enroll in nursing courses this fall).

Achoo!, LPN · Mar 30, 2004

I am in A&P1 also. The only way I could remember the origin, insertion and action of muscles was to do flash cards over and over. The bones get easier once you learn some of the identifying vocabulary. For instance crest is a ridge that protrudes out where as a fossa is a groove inwards, stuff like that.

We are on the nervous system now and remembering the 12 cranial nerves and what which innervates is going to take alot of review LOL. We do the parts of the brain tonight.

Achoo!, LPN · Mar 30, 2004

this website is a great review for bones and muscles also..

http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/esp/2002_general/Esp/default.htm

AmyLiz · Mar 30, 2004

If you can take digital pictures of the bones in lab & print out the pictures & then label them...that helps a lot. I did that with muscles and veins & arteries and did really well.

If you have an open lab at your school, take advantage of it.

It's tough, but you can do it! :)

Lasoniamacaroni · Mar 30, 2004

Like everyone else said, that sounds like a regular old A&P class.I spent more time at my schools learning center than I did at school itself. I would spend hours studying the charts and models. That is the only way to identify the parts is memorizing what they look like and where they are. Don't take this the wrong way, but on my first day of class my instructor said "I DO NOT GIVE A'S, B'S, C'S, D'S, OR FAIL ANYBODY..... YOU GIVE THEM TO YOURSELVES!" We started out with 45 students, ended with 18. All of which did not pass. Focus on getting through this class. You will make many sacrifices, just remember why you are taking this in the first place. It would be a very scary nurse who grabs a patient's arm for a popliteal pulse.

Altra, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2004

It would be a very scary nurse who grabs a patient's arm for a popliteal pulse.

Sorry -- that just cracked me up! :rotfl:

Me thinks that possibly I've had too much caffeine, if such a thing is even possible.

Sheri257 · Mar 30, 2004

First, try not to panic. Second, try not to worry about other people failing. It is manageable if you're willing to put the time in. It's overwhelming at first, but just try to take one section at a time. For example, just focus on the femur and get that down before you move on to the tibia, or whatever. Don't try to memorize everything at once. If you put enough study time in, it does click eventually. There were times I thought I'd never get it down, but I kept studying and eventually it would all come together.

My professor designed this quiz program where there would be a picture of the bone with various parts numbered, and you quizzed yourself on what each part was. Unfortunately it's not available online, but constantly quizzing yourself like that, with flash cards or similar tools, can be really helpful.

:coollook:

LauraF, RN, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN · Mar 30, 2004

I think you have gotten great advice. I agree with the above posters that it does sound pretty typical. Our teacher did let us go back to 3 different stations at the end of the test. Of course for only 1 minute each. Do your best not to freak and take advantage of open lab, or if they have a skeleton in the learning center to work with that would help too.

allthingsbright · Mar 31, 2004

Sounds exactly like my AP class-and many people dropped/failed. AP requires a lot of studying-and the right kind of studying. I got a B (89.2) and I used flash cards and a study group to make it through! I also went to tutoring at my school. Check with your professor and find out what help is available from your school. Good luck! You can do it!

allthingsbright · Mar 31, 2004

oh yeah, i forgot, use EVERY second of lab time to study! most people who dropped/failed left during lab. its a great place to see all the stuff you need to know, and our professor was available and provided a lot of guidance during lab.