Need some pointers on physiology.

This spring, the only pre-req I have to take is Human Physiology. Normally I wouldn't be sweating it except that it is by far the hardest Bio class offered at my school. I have yet to meet one person who gave me a sign of hope on acing that class. Unfortunately, there is only one professor teaching it and he is tough. The type that prides himself on making students miserable.

Anyways, I want to know what you all would suggest I study to try and make the most of my class. From what I gather, its not so much that his class is tough as much as it is that his tests are impossible. He has 6 essay questions at the end on every test and he expects his students to answer them thoroughly.

What is the toughest part about physio? I know for sure the Chem is gonna kick my butt since its been 5 years since I studied that. And I pretty much gave up on the Kreb cycle in Micro and Nutrition. God help me.

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

Oh boy, I just finished up Physio w/lab this semester. It was not an easy class but I did get out of there with an A (but just *barely*...lol).

My professor was HARD, if you look in Mariebs Anatomy and Physiology book (which is what we used) he helped write it so that should tell you something! He also has also been to medical school -and- dental school (ok can you say super geek?).

His tests were very hard, and most of the class dropped out or flunked out.

I guess you could review your Anatomy if you have no had that in awhile and maya some basic chemistry if you have time. The people who had the hardest time in my class were those who had no had Anatomy or basic chem before (Anatomy is one of the pre-req for my Physio class as well as Chem and some biology).

But I really did enjoy this class! You will learn SO much, its truly amazing how the human body works. I say the class is hard, but its not so much so hard as just the volume of information is hard to learn it all, and for his tests you had to really know it all and know it all good to do well.

Good luck! Hope I didn't scare you, I really enjoyed the class, it was hard but I did make an A! Maybe find out from another student where at in the book he starts or does he have a website through the school you can look at to get a heads up?

Marilyn

[nurse2be in ny]

I would say to be prepared to spend a lot of time memorizing things. After you memorize, then you can start to think about things and put them together in a way that makes sense and gived some structure to the material. 95% of A&P is determination and being willing to put in the time.

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

As a supplement to whatever else works for you, I would suggest you view the ADAM Interactive Physiology CD-ROMs. They're the best. The people who got the A's in my classes were the ones who took the time to study with them. I was one of those people.

[BarbPick]

Read the chapter 3 times, the first time do not use a highlighter, you think all is important, so you color in your book.

After reading the chapter completely you should have a grasp of importance, use your highlighter the second time you read the chapter.

The third time, just read what you have highlighted.

You will pass.

[LisaRN2B]

Originally posted by marilynmom

My professor was HARD, if you look in Mariebs Anatomy and Physiology book (which is what we used) he helped write it so that should tell you something! He also has also been to medical school -and- dental school (ok can you say super geek?).

His tests were very hard, and most of the class dropped out or flunked out.

...

But I really did enjoy this class! You will learn SO much, its truly amazing how the human body works. I say the class is hard, but its not so much so hard as just the volume of information is hard to learn it all, and for his tests you had to really know it all and know it all good to do well.

Good luck! Hope I didn't scare you, I really enjoyed the class, it was hard but I did make an A! Maybe find out from another student where at in the book he starts or does he have a website through the school you can look at to get a heads up?

Marilyn

Yep, our text was Mariebs, too. Like Marilyn I really enjoy class.

I have found that it is not so much memorization that is important, but rather really knowing the info inside and out (like Marilyn stated) to really understand the concepts and functions. Our instructor stressed that it was not so much memorizing definitions, and he was right on.

Originally posted by BarbPick

Read the chapter 3 times, the first time do not use a highlighter, you think all is important, so you color in your book.

After reading the chapter completely you should have a grasp of importance, use your highlighter the second time you read the chapter.

The third time, just read what you have highlighted.

You will pass.

To this great advice I would like to add some things that helped me (and, who knows, they may help you as well!).

Read the chapter you will be covering in lecture BEFORE that lecture. May seem like common sense, but I'll tell ya, the people who didn't do this didn't do so hot on the tests. Re-read the chapter after lecture, then re-read again and compare the high points from lecture or your study guide (if your prof has them), then highlight or make personal notes in a notebook if you don't like to highlight (I don't personally, but that's just me). Writing out the high points tends to reinforce the concepts, at least that is what I have found.

I made flash cards, surfed the web for additional info and quizzes over things we were covering and drilled those concepts into my head over and over. I studied a lot. I also purchased the study guide that went along with the text, though not required by my particular instructor. It helped, and it had "coloring book" type illustrations and practice questions. That's another thing...use every means of practice questions available, like on the internet and in other a&p books, etc. A&P made easy books are good, too.

BTW, I got an A, and the highest total points in my class. It CAN be done! Good luck to you!

[Sarah Kat]

This may be a bit off topic, because it's not about physio, but it does have baring.

When I was in college bdo (that is before drop out ) I had a computer science class scheduled that I thought would be fun because I love computers. Well, I talked to a bunch of other students who got all "Oh, you're gonna have a tough time" and "he's the toughest professor in the school" when I told them who was teaching the class. Everyone I talked to told me I might want to consider switching the class out before it started and try to get another prof for it next sem.

I took it as a challenge. I wanted to see just how hard this guy would be. Well, he was tough, but mainly because he actually expected the students to do the work and attempt to learn. There was a lot of memorization (I had to learn binary in an "intro" computers class -- it turned out to be not so intro) and it was tough, but I got an A. There were only 2 other people in my class who also got A's. But it was possible, and I worked for it. I don't think I would've worked quite as hard if I hadn't been told by so many people that I would be lucky if I passed his class.

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

I've been out of school for 5-6 years, but I remember my Anatomy and Physiology classes (we had both combined, over 2 semesters) and I totally feel for you. The anatomy was okay; it was the physiology I had a hard time with, especially oxygenation. And you know what's funny? Nowadays, as a nurse, I'm horrible at remembering all that detailed anatomy but physiology is second nature!

PLEASE don't take this the wrong way, but go buy "Anatomy and Physiology for Dummies" - I've seen it in the nursing reference section at Borders and Barnes & Noble. Those "Dummies" books are wonderful for breaking ANYTHING down and giving amazing tips. When I was taking A&P the book wasn't out yet and boy would it have helped a ton! Check it out next time you're at the bookstore, because I think it would be a good tool. And it's fun!

[Sheri257]

Originally posted by LisaRN2B

Read the chapter you will be covering in lecture BEFORE that lecture. May seem like common sense, but I'll tell ya, the people who didn't do this didn't do so hot on the tests.

I couldn't agree more. If people would read the chapter before the lecture, they would do so much better.

Also, people who procrastinate tend to fail. You cannot cram this stuff, I don't care what anybody says. Yet, people put things off to the very last minute, and then they complain when they bomb on tests.

I love physio too, and the Marieb book. Use it all the time, actually.

[mitchsmom]

I agree with all the above, especially to use the ADAM Interactive Physiology CD-ROMs. Physiology is processes of how things work in motion and the CD shows this motion like a book can't. It's just worth a million words to SEE the concept - so much easier to understand and remember in your mind when you see it. I like the Marieb book also (still refer to it now in my nursing program), and I also looked up websites when I wasn't sure of something or was bored with another study method. Basically, when you really understand it you should be able to explain to someone how it works. If you can't give at least a basic explanation then you won't be able to write in on an essay test. So I would torture my roommate with it, or at least quiz myself by pretending I have essay questions like "describe how the heart works and interacts with other body systems". My teacher also used huge essay questions like you described and was really big on how each system interacted with others. I got an A but I studied my butt off for it.

[AmyLiz]

I agree with the above...read ahead and use the supplimentary study CDs.

Also, what I did as far as physio was concerned, I would write out the entire process of whatever system we were covering. For instance with the muscles, I would start with the stimulation by the axon of the nerve & write it all out (in a story or essay form) as to what happens along the way from stimulation to contraction & relaxation of the muscle. That helped me a lot to see the big picture in the end. :)

Good luck!

[hobbes]

First and foremost I think you need to make sure you go into the class with the right attitude. It is defeatist to enter a class assuming things will go bad because you have a tough professor. I learned a very valuable lesson last summer when I took microbiology. Our school has one microbiology professor that is known as being very tough and demanding, and others that are easy. Well, at the beginning of the class, he told us, that yes, he is tough and expects a lot and that that was by far the toughest micro section - but, we would learn more about micro in his class than in any other. And learning is the bottom line, isn't it. It is for me. Getting an A without really having learned anything or been challenged is rather hollow, and will rear it's ugly head when you have to take standardized tests like the NCLEX. My advise is to take the tough instructors because they will be more demanding and force you to learn more which in the long run is good. Now, having said that. It is of utmost importance that you stay ahead of the game by reading the material before hand and making sure you understand it. Forget about memorization. You must be able to think critically and be able to integrate and elucidate concepts because you will have to write essays. Physiology is not so much about memorization as anatomy is, but much more about function. You really have to integrate material much more than with anatomy as well. Also, there's nothing quite like an essay to expose those who think they know from those that actually do. You'll want to take the time to practice writing essays because you don't want to do this for the first time in the test. You'll be amazed at how much better you can grasp the material when you can discuss it in your own words either orally or in writing. Just my 2 cents.