I feel like the biggest idiot.

loriangel14, RN · Mar 17, 2013

What are you having trouble with exactly? Retaining the information or understanding it? I remember it taking some time to get the hang of tests in nursing school and finding the best way to study so it would stick.I ended up joining a study group and I found that discussing stuff out loud helped.Our teachers use to recommend going home and teaching what we had learned to someone lese. I practiced on my kids.

You will have to do some experimenting to find the study methods that work best for you. Good luck.

It almost seems like a tradition that people bomb their first A&P test.My oldest daughter is in nursing school and she did too.She said the same as you " I studied SO hard". Frustrating I know.

nyrn310 · Mar 17, 2013

a&p 1 and 2 is just memorizing

just keep reading the material over and over again

rubato, ASN, RN · Mar 17, 2013

I don't think it has anything to do with being fresh out of school. I'm 42 and got an A in A & P. But, like someone above said, it's really just memorization. It takes a lot of time and effort and hands on experience in the lab to "get it". The lab time helped me the most with muscles and bones, but then, it was just a lot of memorization.

M-Roc · Mar 17, 2013

I am memorizing everything but guess I'm not how it all works together. Our professors doesn't give us multiple choice tests, so understanding how everything works is a must. I thought I could study on my own and understand it but a study group will probably help me out. I will most definitely take your advice. Thank you. :up:

M-Roc · Mar 17, 2013

You're right. I have a big test on Wednesday on the tissues and bones so we'll see how I do. Thanks.

loriangel14, RN · Mar 17, 2013

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

Mewsin · Mar 17, 2013

I feel your pain. I haven't had an a&p test yet but I'm studying for it, its on Wednesday. Tissues are a killer, we need to know description, location and function for each tissue. I have typed out nonciliated simple columnar epithelial tissue so many times today i'm going cross eyed. I'm using quizlet because it makes me actually think about the answer not just pretend like I actually know.

M-Roc · Mar 19, 2013

I know what you mean. Everytime I think I can tell the difference between Simple Columnar Epithelium and Transitional Epithelium, I look at a slide and pick the wrong one. I'll check Quizlet out. I have my test in lab on Wednesday as well. Goodluck! Let me know how you do.

rubato, ASN, RN · Mar 19, 2013

Tissues was the worst! It is very hard to tell the difference. Good luck to both of you!

**emergenceRN17, ASN, BSN, RN** · Mar 19, 2013

I feel it too. Tissues are really hard to remember.. pseudostratified, columnar, squamous... uggh!!!!

meeep, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2013

The easiest way to tell the difference between simple columnar and pseudostratified is to look at the cells. In pseudostratified, the cells are varying lengths and the nuclei are in different spots, vs simple columnar they are fairly uniform. If you see cells that dont go all the way up to the free surface = pseudo! Hope that helps!

What I found most helpful for tissues was to make a chart with all the details of each tissue - function, locations, identifying characteristics, etc. and study that. Also, look at as many pictures of slides you can. The repetition of it all will help you get them down.