nervous about anatomy and physiology course

sarahmac09 · Aug 31, 2013

A&P is just one of those subjects you have to learn how to study. It's a lot of information but you definitely don't need to freak out about ALL of it. If your instructor posts powerpoints, highlight and make notes of important concepts that they spend a lot of time discussing. Or if you notice they enunciate specifically when talking about a slide, pay attention to that information. Try to read the chapters before you go to class so you aren't totally confused while you're sitting in lecture. Use lab as practice time to reinforce the material you're learning. You can do it!

luvnlfe,LMT · Aug 31, 2013

I know it can be difficult but it is crucial that you understand the information to make future classes a little easier to understand. I always say that you must understand the function before you can recognize the dysfunction.

ScientistSalarian · Aug 31, 2013

I completely agree with Sarahhrahh above, I think it would be hugely helpful for you to take a weekend and get a week ahead of the reading. Even if you just skim you'll get a sense of the main concepts that are going to be presented in lecture so that when you're actually in class you can really listen to your instructor and pay attention to the things they emphasize or repeat - most are pretty good about dropping hints as to what they'll be testing on. This way you'll also be able to identify sections that are going to be challenging or confusing and ask any questions you might have as the material is being presented instead of trying to just figure it out on your own later. If you're an auditory learner it would also be a great idea to record lectures so that in class you can focus on just absorbing the information and then listen back later for anything you might have missed or need to review. It's a lot of work but totally doable - good luck!

LaBella78 · Sep 1, 2013

I feel the same way!! A & P can be very confusing & frustrating at times!!

I've been reading the chapters before lectures. So far, the things I didn't understand while reading have made sense once the professor is going over it in class.

I also audio-record each lecture. I'm hoping it helps for exam study.

Good luck! We sure need it!! :)

Pink Magnolia, BSN, RN · Sep 1, 2013

I can understand the overwhelming feeling because A & P contains so much information! Sometimes it's hard to comprehend something when you can't actually see what's going on in person. Just know that others are probably feeling the same way as you right now! I'm a visual learner, so reading a text doesn't help me much when it comes to understanding science. I like watching videos on youtube. There are so many apps out there too on A & P! Just take each body system/concept one at a time. Try to make connections. Oh concept maps are great! Remain calm and know that you can do anything you set your mind to! I wish you the best:)

PersistentNS · Sep 1, 2013

A&P is a tough course. My professor used to post the outlines and power points for the sections that we were covering. I would print out everything, go over them and then takes notes on them as he was lecturing. I would also record the lecture (with his permission as most professors will let you) and go over the lecture again, while making additional notes that I might have missed in class. Sure, I killed a lot of trees but it really helped me get as much information as possible. I barely used the textbook as the powerpoint and lectures contained all the information needed but did use it for the diagrams and to reference areas that I was still uncomfortable with. Not to mention, my professor didn't even like our textbook so he used a textbook other than the department required to grab info from. Many times you can also go to quizlet.com and find flashcards people have already made that match your text.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Sep 1, 2013

Have I got the resource for you and anyone else taking anatomy and/or physiology. My best advice to students is to get the Anatomy Coloring Book and the Physiology Coloring book, available online from your favorite bookseller, free 2-day shipping from Amazon for students. This is not a joke and not a comic book, but a real, good resource that my students said saved their behinds in this class.

Get the hard copy, not the online download or the iPad version, because part of the reason it's so good is because it engages different parts of your brain when you use your colored pencils to help you retain the material.

There are no shortcuts for A&P because they're a big part of being a nurse. This is definitely NOT a course you will pass and put out of your head, because after you take it and get into the nursing coursework it will be an integral part of the critical thinking process; your faculty will expect that you remember it. These books will be excellent reference for you when you start seeing real patients. This is unlike any other education you have ever had, trust me. Get the books.

The Physiology Coloring Book (2nd Edition) by Wynn Kapit, Robert I. Macey and Esmail Meisami(Oct 3, 1999)

The Anatomy Coloring Book by Wynn Kapit and Lawrence M. Elson (Jul 5, 2001)

Oh, and stop with the "scared" and 'terrified" and all that. You don't want your brain getting hooked on the catecholamines you stir up with all that scary talk, really. Save that for, oh, bungee-jumping or cliff-diving.

I mean it. A little bit of anxiety is fine because it gives your brain and the rest of your body resources to conquer danger and think clearly (you'll see in the physiology book :) ) but too much is definitely counterproductive, from an operational and physiological standpoint. The minute you start noticing yourself say that sort of thing, stop consciously and say to your brain, "Thanks anyway, I got this." Because you do. :flwrhrts: