Netter's Flashcards for A&P, good or not?

Achoo!, LPN · Sep 8, 2004

I think it depends on who you ask. The flashcards didn't help me any, but the atlas did. Our instructor put a set of bones in the library for us to go over on our own time which was helpful as well. Referencing from pictures does nothing for me, I need the real thing.

klone, MSN, RN · Sep 8, 2004

Eh, they're okay. I used them briefly when I was trying to memorize the bones of the skull. That's about it. I don't know that I would necessarily buy them again if I could.

I think the biggest limitation to flashcards such as those is that they only help you with two units - skeletal and muscular.

heart queen · Sep 8, 2004

Now, it's been ten years for me... but to pat myseft on the back I graduated 3.9. More importantly, I tutored... so maybe I can help, but everyone learns by a different style... A&P is a different ball of wax, maybe that's why it throws you.

You do need to spend the most time on A&P, you didn't mention your course load... are you doing nursing core classes too?

Much of A&P in the first and second semester is memorization, the lingo, bones, muscle, tissue, organs, cells. Most people memorize from repetition, hence flash cards. But organizing class plus lab, then doing note review and book reading is way too much, then you throw in trying to pull these cards in.... no wonder you're overwhelmed.. let's not even mention the coloring book!!!!

First realize that unless you took medical terminology, you are learning a NEW language, medical jargon. First that's what throws you.. you have to learn that before you can even learn the concept. so RELAX!!!!!

You should have an outlined lesson plan. Start today, no matter how far behind you are, stay up an extra hour and read ahead the lesson plan, or required readings for tomorrows assignment. Now tomorrow, all the jargon and words are familiar, you already know where you are stuck and what needs to be clarified, so you know where to pay more attention and even ask questions. your note taking will be less because the content is not entirely "new". you'll have more time to pay attention in class to actually listen and note take instead of that CRAZY scribble to write EVERYTHING down, because it's all new and you don't know whats important..

Only now you do, because you are one day ahead, not two days behind, still wanting to recopy your scribble notes.

Now for memorizing... just look back at earlier classes that required memorization and stick to the method that worked! don't add more to the equasion... find ways to de-junk and be proficient... if staring at the page, verbally repeating words will work faster than hunting flash cards, or worse, making them... junk that idea and stick with the basics. Don't make more work for yourself.

May not work, IMHO, if you stay one day ahead of the game, easily done over the weekend, you will REALLY de-stress yourself.

We all made it and survived it.. it can be done... keep it in perspective.. you'll do just fine. and , even those that graduated high honors, still can't type or spell without microsoft word!

RN2BinPA · Sep 10, 2004

Thanks!! I like the advice! As for my work load.... :uhoh3: Ikes! I've definately gotten a FULL plate! Nursing core classes! Yes, theory, clinical, assessment, and lab...and on top of that a stupid computer course! Thinking of dropping this pc course until Im through anatomy!?!! I feel confident so far in my nursing courses. I like how they all are "blending" together. So it seems that it is much more expanded rather than how many separates. I am just hoping it is the same throughout the semester. A&P Lab today!!! OMG, I hope I will live through it! Today it was the tissues under the scopes...FINE, but what the hell am I SUPPOSED to be looking at???? This is what bothers me, for my studying...my prof does not give us/tell us....the correct views/terms/labels....what have you....it's this is what you need to know, this is it and .....then poof we are on our own. I'm not used to this style. Today we had 18 slides of different tissues to look at, thats great...it was fun looking at them....but was I looking at the right spots? Was I seeing the correct cells I was supposed to be? What good does it to learn this way? I do not feel confident studying lab because I am afraid I am studying the "wrong" thing. In doing so, I learn more from my research trying to learn from at home and the net then I do in lab. It is unfair, I feel. Oh well, only two semesters....I have a 3.8 right now, I really do not care if I Ace the class (be a miracle) or pass by the skin of my teeth, I JUST WANT TO LEARN what I need to without a doubt! It's hard to put study time in when I am doing the internet searching thing to find if my answer is right or if tommy's or johnny's is...ya know! :uhoh21:

But any way, Im rambling! Thanks for your advice, I wouldnt mind the class if I knew what was the "right" view/label/term...etc. Instead of do page 33 and look at chapter 5. Well is 33 correct?? Or not?...UGH UGH UGH!

LOL.....

Thanks....no wonder I have a hormone imbalance right now!!! LOL:rotfl:

Traci

jennielynn · Sep 11, 2004

Does your A&P textbook have a companion CD??? Ours does; and it is a tremendous help--especially when it come to slides of tissues and such! You can study them on the computer where everything is labeled and then when you get to lab-- you have some idea of what you are looking at!

I personally like to make my own flashcard when memorizing--especially all the correct anatomical terms and such. Actually having to write them down reinforces the learning process for me. Plus, I can take them anywhere----and study them while waiting at the dentist, doctor, kids' evening activities; and it's much easier than lugging a textbook around. I even flip through them while walking on my treadmill in the morning!

Heart queen had some very good suggestions. If you can't read an entire chapter before you have the lecture (I'm assuming you atleast have a syllabus for the course) just try to jot down the bold words and their meanings. Read all the chapter objectives in the beginning of each chapter and the summary plus any quiz questions at the end. That should cover all the important stuff. It's so much easier to understand a lecture when you have some idea of what's going on. Just don't let yourself get too far behind; or catching up be HARD!!!! Does your instructor have office hours that you could maybe visit him/her to ask questions??? Finding a study partner is also a good idea.

Our instructor sounds a little like yours. He's taught everything from A&P to micro to God knows what else! He treats us like we're all 3rd year college students. Some of us haven't been to school in years---it's been 13 years for me!!! He uses Power Point for lectures but flips through so fast that most of my sentences are unfinished.....I have to go back to the book. When he does manage to slow down---he can't seem to move his body from in front of the screen so we can actually see the words! His labs are h***---we spent the first 2 hours figuring out the diameter of the viewing field and measuring the size of a cell. Where that's going to help me in Nursing (unless I actually work in the lab---where I'm not even sure they need to know that) is beyond me! But, I do as I'm told to pass the class. I can only pray that things get better!!!

So, good luck with your class and try not to get so stressed. Don't be ashamed to ask for help when you need it---part of the mentality of becoming a Nurse is being able to ask for help when you're struggling. Sure, we want to save the world; but sometimes we need a little "saving" for ourselves.

sbwhite88 · Sep 12, 2004

I made my own flash cards for A&P, using 3X5 index cards. That way I really wouldn't have a bunch of cards that may or may not help me and I could focus mine on what we went over in class.

I got an A in the class and a B in lab. My class instructor rocked though and I think that was a big reason I got such a good grade, he was an excellent teacher.

HTH!