Right now, I'm really not liking this!

Gator,SN · Apr 1, 2003

Aww, I'm sorry that you are having a hard time, but believe in yourself! You are not stupid! You can do this! A&P is a hard class and the material is endless! Keep your chin up and you'll get through it! You can't quit. You will always wander what would have happened if you'd finished.

Best to you!!!!!!!! Gator

wv_nurse 2003 · Apr 1, 2003

One day at a time, and believe you can. A&P is overwelming, but one thing , one system, heck one cell at a time!

Good luck!

kavi · Apr 1, 2003

As someone who has been driven insane by A & P this winter---I feel your pain. I've finally put it aside for a while and am focusing on other classes. You can always go back to it. Unless it's the only pre-req you have left.

It is a tough tough course. Everyone says so. It helped me alot to use the coloring books. But I still don't feel confident enough to take the test. I go to online sites and test myself and seem to get about 70% to 80%. I don't want to pay for a test until I can increase my average.

Anyway, the one system at a time thing has helped. Mnemonics has helped. And like I say, the coloring books somehow help keep it together and stuck in my mind.

Don't give up. Let's encourage each other....

kavi

gwenith, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2003

All the above are good but try concept mapping as well. That is where you start with a core concept i.e. - lungs exchange gases and one line away will be movement of gas? - through nose - trachea- bronchi - bronchioles- alveloli etc until you have MAPPED the essential information then go back and fill in the details i.e. nos - warms and humidifies you can even "play" with this by adding nose - "essential sniffer" or "without you our tasebuds would be so much less" humour DOES help. This process not only assists with memory but because it formulates the relationships it help with understanding the interdependance of the systems.

AmyLiz · Apr 1, 2003

Have you tried to find a tutor? A lot of schools have students (both undergrad & graduate) who will be willing to help tutor people on the side for a little $$. Might be worth calling around.

Good luck!

back2school · Apr 3, 2003

Now you've scared me! I'm supposed to take this test this month. It really is a huge amount of information and it doesn't seem like the content guide narrows it down much. You have to know every chapter. At least when I took courses in college, the professors narrowed down the material and even skipped some chapters.

I wish I had some good advice for you. I've read my textbook and taken notes. Now I'm studying my notes and taking practice tests online and at the end of the textbook chapters. I'll have to let you know how it goes in a few weeks.

Good Luck!

Toni

Roozeyk · Apr 3, 2003

oh no ! I didn't mean to scare you......you may breeze right through it and do just fine.....I think I had myself so psyched out b/c I didn't pass it the last time, that I had test anxiety this time until my brain just froze up....I think I am going to put it aside for awhile and move on to the next course, and come back to this one later.....I wish you all the luck in the world on your exam...and to everyone taking this route to an RN degree!!

opalmRN · Apr 3, 2003

Originally posted by back2school
It really is a huge amount of information and it doesn't seem like the content guide narrows it down much.

Hi Toni

I agree, A & P is an incredible amount of information and a short period of time to learn it. I am taking A & P II and have 5 weeks left before the finals. I have to say I like I a lot better as it seemed to me that there was more concrete material with that class. IE: learning the bones, muscles etc. I have not done as well in this class as I did in A&P I but unless I totally bomb the finals I will pass. I wish A & P was designed according to the profession and not one class fits all. A good majority of this class I will not remember because it is not information that I will use everyday. Such is the nature of the beast.

As for study techniques, are you taking this class through Excelsior? Do they provide a study web site? I am taking my class through a traditional college with a twist. The lecture, and I use that term loosly as there is no actual lecture it is completely self taught, is online. The lab meets on Saturday mornings at the campus. That too, to my surprise is also self directed. The class is not at all what my previous online courses have been but it's too late to turn back now. I write note cards. This seems to be the best for me. I also use the CD that came with our text although it is not very broad and much of the material isn't covered. I am attaching some web sites you may find helpful.

Good luck. This is not an easy subject for me but I will survive and I believe you will too.

BTW, where in PA do you live? I am in southeast.

A & P interactive website

http://www.innerbody.com/

MHHE Anatomy & Physiology Supersite

http://www.mhhe.com/catalogs/sem/ap/

PT Central - Complete Muscle Tables for the Human Body

http://www.ptcentral.com/muscles/

Medical Terminology: An Anatomy and Physiology Systems Approach

http://cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/pubbooks/fremgen4/

Gray, Henry. 1918. Anatomy of the Human Body

http://www.bartleby.com/107/

Master Muscle List Home Page

http://www.meddean.luc.edu/lumen/me...r/mml/index.htm

Skeletal System

http://www.bio.psu.edu/faculty/stra...el/skeletal.htm

C

Roozeyk · Apr 3, 2003

Hey Everybody! Thanks for all the tips, advice and encouragment, I really do appreciate it. Even though I have been in the medical field for 25 years.....it's amazing how little I seem to know now.....ha ha. ?

Spazzy Nurse, RN · Apr 4, 2003

The EC Anatomy/Physiology (excuse me, I mean the Physiology/Physiology) exam was TOUGH. Very tough. To this day I am amazed I passed it and it was 6 months ago.

I was told (after I tested of course) by several people to use the Cliff's Notes as a study tool. I had told this to a friend of mine who just took it on Mon. and somehow (she's amazing) the girl got an 'A'. She said the Cliff's Notes are essential, that she's so glad she used them. Maybe try those?

Hang in there!!! Stuff gets more interesting once you're done with all of the crud! :)

Roozeyk · Apr 5, 2003

I saw the Cliff Notes things one day and thought hhhmmm...so, I may have to check those out again. I got the book A&P Made Incredibly Easy from the library, studied and read the whole book...used my work book, used my text.....I think I really need to find a way to get in more quality study time, so I can really focus on things, but working 45-47 hours a week can really drain you of what study energy you have left.