Passing a&p and chemistry with A's

Sharanjit · Sep 8, 2009

First of all, make your time table or schedule which days what time , you will do either subject. and stick to it. Make it habit to finish your assignments 2 days before due date. Read chapter ahead, if possible.Revise what you learned yesterday, everyday(so you won't forget ). If you have study guides try to use them as much as possible, students always ignore extra activities, but that really helps me get "A". Relax and even if you don't get A, you will be happy that you tried your best. Good Luck..

IClaimNursingSchool · Sep 8, 2009

Thank you. Im also nervous because im takeing the 2 lectures on the same day with about an hour and 40 mins in between classes. Does this make it harder?

Sharanjit · Sep 8, 2009

I think this time limit gives you some time to relax, or quick review next lectures' time. I am taking A & p w/lab and Spanish on campus and English composition II and Developmental Psychology online.. But so far it seems good. It all depends on time management. Google online and find some time management sheets to separate your assignments, tests and homeworks.

on eagles wings, ASN, RN · Sep 9, 2009

i suggest you use the companion website that comes a long with your textbook. it helps SOO much!!! it comes with games, activities, practice questions, etc. Also, get a good bone and muscle atlas for AP. for chemistry, brush up on some math. you still have time to get prepared. :) organize your time and stick to it. also, find a study buddy within the first week or two to help you!!

queenmalka · Sep 10, 2009

Since you're taking a full load, you're going to have to be very organized. Schedule exactly when you'll need to study for each class. Bring your notes with you to work, other activities, etc. and study them when you get a few spare minutes. Study right when you get out of class, even if it's only for a few minutes. Remember the phrase "Inch by inch, it's a cinch. Mile by mile, it's a trial." Don't save everything until the last minute. These things all worked for me, but I understand that your learning style may be different. It will be hard, but you can do it. Don't focus so much on getting the A as much as really understanding the material and being able to teach others (which is the highest level of learning)--after all, when we're all finally nurses, no one is going to ask us if we got that A in A & P (they're going to make sure we remember what we learned in that class). Make sure you schedule time for yourself to do something else that you really love, otherwise you'll burn out from school 24-7. Best of luck to you x

Austrya · Sep 10, 2009

I'm taking A&P, chemistry of life, and pharmacology this semester. It's tough, but doable if you don't mind studying a ton!

I have very organized binders for each class and use those little post-it tabs to mark places in my notes and in the book. I just make sure to keep on top of everything and work ahead when I can. My pharmacology class is an online class and we have weekly quizzes and discussions but we can work ahead to some extent, which has been nice. Chemistry and A&P so far have covered some of the same topics and that has helped a little too.

A&P, by far, is the most demanding class of the three. I would have to say that I study about 2-3 hours a day, at least 5 days a week, for that subject alone. I always rewrite my notes w/in 24 hours of the lecture and if there's a concept I don't understand, I check the text, the companion site, or I google it and find the info online. Before the next class, I skim the text and look over the notes for that chapter. My professor supplies the powerpoint slides and I print them up and take my notes in the margins. When a chapter is completed, I type up my notes in outline form to use for a study guide. At the end of the unit (3 or 4 chapters), he will give us a review of the concepts that we will have to know and I make sure that I highlight those on my the notes that I type up. I still study everything, because he doesn't just test on the terms, we actually have to apply the concepts and really know it, not just memorize it. For the labs, he will explain to us what we're doing and we'll have time to "practice" whatever it is. For instance, right now we're looking at the different types of tissues through a microscope. A lot of people just leave after he's done talking but I like to stay and make sure I really know what to look for. I take notes and write down little things to help me remember it, such as under a microscope adipose tissue reminds me of dishsoap bubbles. He says the people who stay are usually the people who end up doing well in the class and the ones who leave are the ones who either don't make it into the nursing program or are the ones taking his class again the next semester.

Chemistry so far has been a breeze and honestly I have maybe studied for a total of 3 hours since the semester started 3 weeks ago. I was just telling my husband the other day that I'm shocked that I'm doing so well in chemistry because there's a lot of math involved and math isn't my strong suit at all. For whatever reason, it's just all making sense. I'm not going to complain about that, that's for sure!

I do have to say that I really, really like science and I love learning. For me, school isn't just school, it's almost like a hobby and I look forward to studying and to going to class. I think that makes a HUGE difference. I can't imagine that I would be doing as well if I were taking classes in a subject that I wasn't passionate about.

IClaimNursingSchool · Sep 11, 2009

Thank you so much wfor your post it really gave me alot of insight and info