Microbiology :(

Soup Turtle · Oct 12, 2007

"if you guys think this class is hard, wait until you get in the nursing program."

Funny...that's exactly what I thought when I started reading your post!

I loved micro, but a lot of people didn't. It may be that you just don't have a strong interest in it, so it doesn't "stick" as well. Most of us have had "that" class. For me, it was chemistry. I don't think the fact that you aren't doing great in one class means you won't do well in nursing school. :uhoh3:

Slimlady727 · Oct 12, 2007

i loved micro esp the lab!!!

i didnt spend so much time studying, i just didnt have the time. but when i did, i would look at my notes with the text book as a rererence and create a study sheet with it. this helped me memorized more because i was able to understand it as i wrote at my own pace, compared to in class when you are just trying to write fast as the prof talks. i would make the study sheet a week or so before the exam and take it with me every where. since i live here in ny i take the subway to and from work then school, so i used that time to just go over and over the sheet.

maybe this helps. dont give up!

catalinaa21 · Oct 12, 2007

Don't feel bad, I tip my hat to you for taking these two hard, time consuming classes together. I am currently taking Micro online and its been a struggle for me also. I find the material interesting, and I am doing better in some chapters than others, the ones so far that have been particularly challenging for me have been genetics chapter and metabolism. I am trying not to stress out too much about it and just try my best. Doing this class online has been a challenge in itself, as I don't really have anyone to consult with if I do not understand something, and the labs are interesting but very time consuming to do them on my own. I am taking a nutrition class also, I thought it would be a breeze but its also alot of material and studying. I have been accepted into nursing school for the spring, pending I pass these two classes. Don't stress, you will do fine. And one class should not be the deciding factor for getting into nursing school.

Music in My Heart · Oct 12, 2007

It is very difficult for me for some reason, and I'm not sure if it's the teacher, or my studying habits, or what?

First off, it is not an easy class. There is an enormous volume of material that must be memorized plus there's a substantial amount of knowledge application required. Lots of people struggle with this class so go easy on yourself.

If it's the teacher, I'm sorry. I had a difficult teacher for micro. I ended up teaching myself the material out of the book and mostly going to lecture just for political purposes. In fairness, she was pretty good in the lab. Even if your teacher is lousy, you can still do it - it's going to be harder, though.

Your study techniques obviously need improvement. I'm sure that you're smart enough so if you're not getting the results then you need to find some new techniques.

Do some searching around this forum and the nursing student assistance forum and you'll find some a number of threads that discuss study techniques.

Here are some questions to ponder:

Are you reading the book? Are you reading it more than once? Are you studying it? (Stopping to think about what you've just read, perhaps making notes, summarizing it in your head, looking up words that you're not quite clear on, reviewing sections that are referenced or have related material)
Are you memorizing all of the new vocabulary? Can you concisely define all the terms?
Are you spending enough time studying? Rewriting notes doesn't really constitute "studying" to me; neither does making flash cards. Those are activities in preparation of studying. If you're not "studying" at least 8-10 hours per week for a 4-unit class then I'd say you're not spending enough time at it. Of course, we all have demands on our lives so sometimes we just CAN'T spend the time that a class demands so we do the best we can.
Are you careful to spend your study time productively? In other words, it doesn't do any good to invest time in reviewing things that you already know when there's still stuff that you don't know.
Have you invested in any support materials? My book was Tortora, Funke, and Case 9th ed. To support it, I purchased:
- Study guide written by Funke (Useful for review)
- "Microbiology Study Guide: Key Review Questions and Answers" by Leonardi (of limited value)
- "Microbiology: A Photographic Atlas for the Laboratory" by Alexander and Stone (I don't know why this wasn't REQUIRED)

[*]Have you considered some creative techniques like:

Making audio flash cards and review notes for an mp3 player or on a CD to review in the car or while walking between classes.
Drawing out diagrams in the book to help cement the visualization in your mind
Once you're in bed, spending ten or fifteen minutes with your eyes closed in the dark and reviewing material
Spending time studying the layout of the chapter and the subject headings in order to help know what material there is to know
Lots and lots of flashcards - This isn't creative but is still the best way I know to memorize voluminous content (PM me an e-mail address and I'm probably willing to share some of my flashcard files in Word (for a PC, not a Mac)).

modelmama07 · Oct 13, 2007

I plan in taking A&P II next semester along with Microbiology, so don't freak me out!!! :) I'm already trying to prepare myself mentally for this class...:uhoh21: I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!! You will give so much hope to other students are trying to take two major sciences in one semster. Chemistry just did not register for me...so don't get down on yourself, you can make it, stay focused!!

phoenixfire · Oct 13, 2007

Hello everyone! I am currently taking a&p I and microbiology. I am getting an A in a&p but microbiology.....well let's just say I don't even want to know what I am getting in that class. I am so discouraged from it now. It is very difficult for me for some reason, and I'm not sure if it's the teacher, or my studying habits, or what? I am so scared that this is going to be the class that affects whether or not I get accepted in the nursing program at my school. I don't even know why I'm writing this I don't particularly have a question I'm just so upset that this class is so difficult for me. And on top of it, our teacher tells us that "if you guys think this class is hard, wait until you get in the nursing program." Great thanks for the encouragement! Did anyone else experience this in microbiology? I know the nursing program will be hard, but I feel like if i'm having this hard of a time in micro, that I won't be able to handle nursing school. Thanks for listening to me.

Micro (for me) is more concept than detail. If I can grasp the overall concepts, the details come easier. Some teachers are more strict than others, mine made us memorize the life cycles of 5 different microbes for our last test! Read your book, take notes, use flashcards, quiz yourself with the questions at the end of the chapter, the textbook website or CD, and most of all DONT GIVE UP! You may have to put some elbow grease into it, but I promise, if you stick it out, you will be grateful you did!

I'm taking Micro right now, too, so if you want to talk, let me know, I'll help in any way I can

zullayh · Oct 14, 2007

WoW!! I love how I was 2 seconds on writing a post of how Micro was killing me and and how I had even considered throwing in the towel!! I know Desperate Momma!! But after talking with a very wise grandma, she gave me the umph I needed she told me never to give up on my dream of becoming a nurse, she did and she regrets it to this day! I love older and wiser people. So after talking to her and reading these posts I have jumped back on the horse and are riding them cowboys!!

Now I was wondering if the person offering the notes in word format could send it to me I will send you my email addy. Thanks!! I have a test coming up in Genetics and Nutrition and Metabolism.