frogpirate

Well we had our second exam today, and I didn't do quite as well as on the 1st. (88% on this one, 94% on the first). I'm pretty upset, because I actually spent more time studying this time. I don't feel that it was so much I didn't know the material, as the questions were just written so as to confuse. I had the same problem with the quizes on thse units (which we take on-line on Blackboard), again not so much as because I didn't know it, but because I couldn't seem to understand what he was asking. I tried to get some help from him in "lecture" this week, to no avail. I know a 88% is not the end of the world, but I am very frustrated. Like everywhere, our program is very competitive, and I feel I need all 'A's, particularly in the Sciences. Ken

I'm only in A&P I and I wish I'd taken a medical terminology course! We're learning bones, and having to learn the names of bones and attributes as well as the location of the bones is almost overwhelming. I'm not good at sounding out Latin or Greek words, so I use this website to help me with pronunciation: http://dictionary.reference.com/ Ken

I took CHEM 050 over the summer (kind of pre-Chem for the medical fields) and struggled, although I did get an A. I took CHEM 121 last quarter (CHEM for Medical) and whizzed through - partially because I'd taken the pre-Chem course, and partially because of a different professor. I'll never forget how many people my CHEM 050 professor 'lost' trying to explain "mol" in relation to a dozen eggs. My classmates and I still giggle anytime one of us mentions a dozen eggs.

We had our first test a couple weeks ago (I got 94%) and have our 2nd one this week. I'm feeling pretty good so far, and I'm excited we are starting a "unknowns" in lab this next week. We start with 2 bacterium in a broth, and with a partner have to streak for isolation, and then each take one and identify it using standard tests. (We know we have one of 20 strains). I like my prof., except we don't really have lectures. He has power-points and .mps lectures online, and we do them on our time. OTOH, he doesn't care if we come to class during lecture time! He is really good about answering questions, but sometimes I feel like we miss out because of lack of class discussion (like other people asking questions you don't think of). He also allows some E.C. every week, so I am making sure I take advantage of that!

Hmm, if the temperature was too low for kinetic molecular movement, the cell would be DEAD*. Although there would be no movement across the membrane, I doubt that is what the professor is looking for. #1 is like you say, when the extracellular fluid and the cytoplasm are isotonic. #2 .. actually I don't have a clue. If it was me, I'd ask the professor. Ken (In A&P 1 this quarter as well.) * the only time molecular movement stops is at absolute zero.

I'm 49 & 9/10th's and started my pre-req's this last Summer. I was scared to death - it's been so long since I've been in school, and I didn't know how I would do. Maturity is your asset! As a rule "returning" or "non-traditional age" students do quite well. I'm on my 3rd quarter now, taking Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology I and Sociology 101. It's a heavy course load, and some days I'm overwhelmed, but I just plug away and I'm doing fine. Do not let you age, or how long it's been since you've been in school stop you from doing something you want. My only regret is that I did not do this a long time ago. I still have a long way to go, but most days I face those challenges with excitement - not like the unfulfilling "career" I've had for the past 20+ years. Ken

I'm still pre-Nursing, so things could change between now and graduation. I keep joking that I'm going to specialize in geriatrics, 'cause I'm almost there myself (I'm > Like: Any ICU/Critical Care. Top of the list would be transplant work (my ex-had a kidney transplant while we were still married). Peds (love kids) or clinical are tops as well. Dislike: OB, L/D etc. would not be my top choice, for obvious reasons. ;-) Ken

Wow, I feel less isolated already. Actually, there are a number of non-traditional or returning students in our pre-Nursing program as well. I am on my 3rd quarter, and have 2 more to go for pre-reqs, and then can apply to the nursing program. I turn 50 in a couple weeks, hope to have by RN/ASN by 53 or so, and then work towards a BSN degree. Some days I feel like "oh my, I am too OLD to be starting a new career", but most of the time I'm just excited by the possibility of doing something I enjoy for a change. Ken

I'm taking Microbiology as well. Although not in the catalog as a blended course, in reality it is. The professor has PowerPoint slides, .mp3 lectures, and .doc scripts for the .mp3's, as well as on-line quizs. You can got to lecture to ask questions, or not your choice. The hard thing is keeping up, but I just took my first test and got a 94 , so it must be working! I'm also taking A&P 1 and Soc 101 this quarter - busy, busy, busy! Ken

Oh boy, my first post! I haven't started school yet; I'm registered, have my classes and have paid for them (OK, put them on plastic!) for Summer Quarter at Clark College in Vancouver, WA. The last piece is to get the State of Oregon UI to approve me going to school, so I can continue to draw unemployment while in school. Just pre-req's this Quarter. I did a placement test and don't _have_ to take math, but since it's been 30+ years since my last math class - did I mention I am an "adult" student? - I figured Intermediate Algebra (MATH095) would be good, as well as CHEM 50, and the always exciting ENGL 101 rounds it out at 14 credits. I'm scared to death, and excited. I'm going full time, hopefully with UI income for now and with my S/O's income hopefully carrying us. It's going to be hard, because we have a house payment based on 2 good salary's and I haven't had one since January. OTOH, it seems the perfect time for a carrer change! There are no jobs in my old carrer (Electrical Wholesale) and I cannot just sit around the house hoping something will come up any more. Ken