justbee

I whined earlier in this thread about the Mastering Chemistry homework that has to be done each week. I guess I have to eat my words, the homework is definitely helping me, and is probably the reason I went from a 70 to a 97 on my tests. I don't know that I would push myself on my own to do all the practice problems without the required homework aspect. I feel for you Sart 45, I know I wouldn't be able to handle a class like this online. I would recommend using any online resources provided by the textbook company and extra information off the web, including youtube video lectures and anything made by other chemistry students. I have used these videos for chem and microbiology a lot this term, I wish I had thought of this back in A&P I. Best, L.

We just had a test on the DNA/genetics chapter, control of microbial growth and parts of another chapter. I got a low B, which is better than I expected. I think this test will be curved since no one got an A. I think I understand the material, but I get tripped up with vaguely worded questions, usually two of the answers are so similar that I confuse myself and overthink it. These past few chapters have been a real snooze, I keep waiting for the exciting diseases to come up. Lab has been fun though.:) Best, L.

I just got my second test score today, an A! After getting a low C on the first test I am psyched that I got such a good grade. I studied a lot, there are no shortcuts for me in this class. I have to review and practice a lot, so i'ts turning into a very time intensive class for me, but I do find the material interesting and useful.:) Best wishes to all the other chem students, L.

Hey, I am also waiting, impatiently I might add. The application window is Sept. 1 to Sept. 30 and then about 6 weeks to receive a letter. Sometime in there, they will be requesting personal interviews. So I am waiting for the last 7 days of September to go, then I will be anxiously awaiting a call, letter or e-mail. I made myself sick with anxiety over getting the application in, I sent mine in on the 1st. I initially felt relief, because it's really out of my hands now, but now that it's getting towards the end of the month, I feel the anxiety coming back. I wake up sometimes stressing about some small part of my application, wondering if it's based on my overall GPA or just on the pre-reqs that they require, and so on. I then of course think what if I don't get accepted, then what? I purposely took a full class load this term to take my mind off of it, but it only works to a certain extent. Best wishes to all waiting for news, lets set aside something to celebrate when we get that letter (I might ask the husband for some champagne :)). L.

Oh that stinks. I don't have lab reports in Micro, just quizzes thank goodness. Hang in there, you can do it. Best, L.

How is everyone doing in lab? We turn in reports from a lab manual and I just got my first lab back today with an okay grade, but no feedback or anything marked wrong on the actual report. I thought I did a very thorough job, but the professor said he rarely gives 20/20 or 19/20 on labs. I'm not sure what I am missing here? How do you wow the professor with a fill in the blank lab report? Has anyone else encountered this in another lab class? I'm doing okay on the homework but I only got a 70 on my first test. I'm a little disappointed that for the amount of hours spent on homework and studying, I didn't come up with a better grade. Best, L

When I volunteered, I followed the attire of the coordinator and other office workers at the hospital, which was business casual. I didn't wear a dress, but slacks and a dress shirt for the orientation part and the initial intro and interview. I think it's a notch down from what you would wear for a job interview. HTH. Best, L.

Hmmm, I am wondering the same thing. The only reason I might be interested is for scholarships, although one of my professors who I respect very much said I should join. I hope some of the other students will share their experiences.

So how is Micro for everyone? We had our first test last week on Ch. 1-4 in the Tortora book. Chapter 5 is starting off pretty intense. So far, I am really enjoying the lab part, we've done gram stains, and made countless slides and plates. Best, L.

Hey DahliaDaisy, I hear you girl. That stupid introduction to the homework was making me want to tear my hair out. LovelyMama, did you say bonus points? I didn't get any stinking bonus points:confused:. Repeat after me...Pearson is evil...Pearson is evil:mad:. I just took my first test Monday, will inform the thread only if I got a good grade:clown:. I put in at least 5 hours studying just for the test, so we shall see. Best, L.

It depends. My A&P I class had more than 50% drop rate. Why? I think some, the people that showed for only one or two classes thought the professor was a jerk and indicated they would take it with a different professor. Some stuck it out to the first test, which was on the first 4-5 chapters and then had a rude awakening to see a short answer, essay answer format instead of true/false or multiple choice test. (we were warned) We had a 12 week term with only three tests and a final and some students, after they bombed the second test realized that mathematically speaking, they had no chance of passing and withdrew before the last date to receive a W. I thought the class was very challenging, but not impossible. There was no spoon feeding of information and no extra credit and dropping the lowest test score and all that stuff that some professors do to get more students passing grades. I've discovered that a lot of students in college for whatever reason, just don't think they need to be in class regularly. I think in A&P some just never can catch up because they missed class one too many times. Anyway, that's my Best, L.

Sign up as a volunteer and ask for any assignments that would give you exposure to clinical areas. In my experience, if you are a student, they try to get you into an area that is relevant to the education you are pursuing. It was a whole process, drug screen, background check, TB test that took a month. In the process I became very friendly with the volunteer coordinator who went out of her way to make sure I had a worthwhile experience. A lot of the elderly volunteers are retired medical workers and have a lot of information to offer. Even if you don't get so called experience, it's worth it to learn the workings of the hospital and to make connections with people in the field you want to enter. Best, L.

This website url http://www.pc.ctc.edu/hart/ has similar photomicrographs to the Atlas of the Human Body we used in our lab. These are the kinds of photos we had to identify along with knowing where in the body these tissues would be found. HTH, best wishes, L.

I am in my second week of chem class. So far, I really like the professor. However 25% of our grade is online homework. It supposedly corresponds to the problems in the book. It does, sort of. The online homework will take the same question and change one of the amounts like from 5.0 mL to 5.20 mL, so if you did the problem in the book, you have the same process, but a different answer. I think it's a sucky, dirty trick:mad:. So my first online homework assignment was done twice basically. I did tell the professor about it, and he agreed with us (me and my fellow disgruntled classmates). We are the first class to deal with this online homework, so we are the test group. He did say he would forward our complaints to Pearson. We have a seperate lab with it's own grade. We've covered metric conversions, density, specific gravity and are now moving into energy and heat. Good luck to all starting this week and next, let's keep checking in:). Best, L.

Wow, those are all great ideas. I like the systematic way about the pile you know cold vs. the one where you need to go over the concept again. I tried to make handwritten cards back in A&P as I was reading the book, but by the time I wrote the card out, I wasn't retaining the last paragraph I read. Then I tried reading straight through a chapter, highlighting as I went, then making flash cards from my highlighted terms. That seemed so time consuming, and in the end, this professors tests were based about 90 percent on his lecture, so I never used the cards. This time I want to do it for chemistry. Maybe now I will have a system I can use. I am trying to make cards based on the lecture, but using the corresponding section in the book. Another reason I think I should make the extra effort is the school has required all professors to give a cumulative final, whether they want to or not. Thanks for all the tips, I am in awe of my fellow students who are so organized. I'm good with studying, but the organization part I am still struggling with.:) Best, L.

Another thread got me to thinking about using index cards for notes or to drill before a test. That thread mentioned studyshack.com where there are stacks made by users for different subjects. For some reason, I've never gotten the hang of using them. Do you make your own as you are reading the text? I'm used to note taking in lecture, but I have a class where the lecture isn't really conducive to that. I feel like I don't really know what to study in regards to the information in the chapter. I just wonder, if you are an index card user, what your system is for making and or using them? Is there an advantage compared to just going over the notes? TIA Best, L.

I agree with the suggestion to volunteer at a hospital to really see what goes on. I just recently did, and it verified that I was picking the right area for me. There are so many medical areas where one can help people that are not bedside nursing. Other areas that I checked into were Surgical Tech, Speech Language Pathology, Physical, Occupational and Recreational Therapy and Prosthetics/Orthosis. The Nursing degree has so many specialties within there are too many to list. There probably is a niche for you. Lastly, you are not the only person to question whether you have the "caregiver" personality. It is a skill, and it really is hard to say unless you have had the exposure or experience. You may have more of it than you think. People that never question themselves and think they just have this magical quality of caring usually don't. Best wishes, L

Thanks for the tip about study shack. I completely agree about reading ahead, there's nothing worse than realizing that you've fallen behind and trying to play catch up right before a big test. Best, L.

I had another class today. Two things about the online homework, it's not timed, it just has to be done by the due date and the problems correspond to the problems in the book:yeah:. So I guess I won't cut and run. At least all of our tests and quizzes are in class. Our professor told us not to worry, the algebra stuff in the first two chapters is as hard as it gets. We'll see. Best, L.

Well, I signed into the Pearson online part for homework and I am seriously reconsidering if I want to stay in the class. I went through the intro lessons which teach you how to enter your answers in their system and it was very frustrating. This was not graded per se, but it took me over an hour for a 10 section tutorial. When I had Algebra homework, I could work a little, then walk away and come back to it when I felt I could. You know how you get like a brain lock when you're concentrating so hard on a problem. The online homework seems like it just adds extra pressure. I have class again tomorrow, so I guess I'll discuss it with the professor. Did anyone else have this online homework with Chemistry? Sorry, I know I'm whining. Did I mention I hate online homework. :-[ Best, L

Hi, I just wanted to add not to get into the mindset of certain classes will be an easy A. I took A&P II with Microcomputer Apps., Comp 1 and Sociology last Spring thinking I would have lots of time to concentrate on A&P II. I think of the four classes that Comp 1 was the most challenging and time consuming, def. not an easy A, even though it was one of my best subjects in high school. I was writing so many essays between Comp and Sociology it was crazy. Best, L.

Went to my first class today. The professor seems great, really helpful. The bummer though is online homework through the Pearson portal, so I have to buy the access card. We covered scientific notation and measured vs. exact numbers. There are three tests and a final that is 75% of the grade, the online homework is 25% of the grade. Best wishes to everyone, L.

First, I wish you all the best. There are other single parents on this site who have worked and attended nursing school at the same time. My only suggestion is to maybe explore the LPN program since some of them may have alternate hours that would work with your schedule. Whatever your choice or path is, you aren't alone. If you have had the fortitude to get to this point, keep yourself focused on your goal. I know that school, work and kids usually equals exhaustion, but rise to the challenge because it is only for a limited amount of time. Also, from what I have observed, this is a vent-friendly place.:) Best, L.

This is just priceless, lol. I love it.

I start on 8-23.