betabob

I personally really like the three back-to-back 12 hours shifts (Fri-Sun), but I also am a new grad, work days, and am single/childfree. The 4 days off really works well for me, and I usually take the first day to recharge/be dead to the world, then the other 3 to do chores and have fun. Of course with 12 hour shifts (which can easily turn into 13/14 hour shifts), the two nights between them are rough, but the work week goes by fast enough. My job lets us self schedule, so we can have an off day between our shifts if desired. I have never worked an 8 hr shift, but I feel if I had to work 5 days, work would consume my life. Getting home earlier would be nice, but I would still be mentally exhausted and coming home around/after dark, so I wouldn't be able to do much around and outside the house. Then I would have to do all my errands, meal prep, etc. during the two days off and have to mentally prep for another long week of work.. I like having a few days where I don't have to think about work at all, so that would be terrible from my perspective.

During my first semester, the tutor assigned by the school would use those Quizlet questions after all her lectures (which were broadcast live online). Out of probably 50-80 questions, maybe 4-6 would show up on the test. Many students used Quizlet to review after reading, going over powerpoints, doing Evolve questions, going to tutoring, etc, and talked openly about it. If those students in OP's post went from failing to getting As, it is unlikely it is just from Quizlet, but from stepping up their studying habits altogether. Also, from my limited experience, Quizlet questions usually have a a fairly detailed rationale, so it is not just memorizing. So, I would stay out of it. There are so many practice questions on Quizlet, some from Evolve, some from case studies, some from various textbooks and review books, and, yes, some from test banks, there is a good chance they are actually using the questions to learn the material. Anyway, "not my circus, not my monkeys" is a good motto to live by.

I took both A&Ps back to back in the summer (5 weeks per class), and it is tough, but doable. The advantages are that you only have one class to focus on, and everything is fresh in your head throughout the semester. Memorization is key in A&P, and keeping up with studying is crucial in such a short semester. Watch out for burnout, though. I had only a 3 day break between summer 1 and summer 2 semesters, so by the 4th week of A&P II I was pretty burned. I also didn't have kids or a job to worry about. Good luck!

I took Pharm last semester, and flashcards helped a ton. I made my own though, which I think helped me remember the information better. I used regular sheets of notebook paper, and I would first learn the overall drug class (ex: antidysrhythmics). I wrote the name of the class in the left margin, then all of the topics I needed to know about it (indications, adverse effects, MOA, contraindications, drugs in the class, assessment information, teaching tips, interactions, etc.) underneath it. On the rest of the page I would write what the book said about each subject. Then I would move on to the individual drugs, and do the same for them. I could then just cover the right side of the page and quiz myself. I attached a picture of my notes in case my description didn't make any sense. (; I found learning the class then the drug easiest, because, if a question asks about a drug, and you happen to forget that detail, you can try to logically think about the class the drug is in and think through the question. I would also make sure to note anything unique about any of the drugs. For example, if any drugs had alternate uses that usually ended up on the test. I also found it helped a lot to understand the disease that the drugs treated, because understanding what was wrong made it easier to comprehend how the drugs made it right. Also, don't be scared about pharm! I thought I would hate it too, but ended up loving it, and ended with a high A in the class. It is a lot of reading and memorizing though, so be sure to study it daily! Good luck! ?

I have a professor with this same policy. I reported classmates taking exams together, and the only punishment was retaking the exam. Apparently, this is how he has always "dealt" with cheaters, despite going on and on about integrity, ethics, etc. Very frustrating since it is not much of a deterrent. If you don't report cheating, though, you can get in trouble if they find out you knew, so my new policy is to just report and forget about it.

Thank you! Yes, I suppose I meant familiarizing myself with the questions and learning the strategies since I won't really know anything yet, haha. The Pharmacology class I am taking now has a NCLEX style question review at the end of each chapter, as well as quizzes and tests, so I'm sort of familiar with it already. I'll look into Saunders, thank you again! :)

Hello, I am starting nursing school the Spring of 2016. I remember seeing posters mention that you should start studying for the NCLEX the first semester, and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to books? I'm also pretty certain that my school also does the HESI final and HESI exit tests. Does anyone have any tips/book recommendations for these too?

Do you know if professor ever assigned anything like this during previous semesters? Hopefully there is a curve, and you do well on the assignment. It was good you submitted something. At least now you can say you tried to research and find the answers. If she acts like a butt and grades harshly, I agree with above posters about reporting her. Seriously, this looks like something I would be assigned in my pathophysiology or pharmacology class...except more information is given, the scenario isn't strange/rare, the patient's illness is discussed in reading, and the questions pertain to the actual scope of the class.

You could still apply to med school with a BS in Business. You can have any degree you want and apply, as long as you have all the pre-reqs done, required entrance exams done, etc. The other day I actually read an article by a professor at a medical school about how non pre-med and hard science majors usually added a different perspective to the classroom. It still would be longer and more expensive than nursing school, but still an option if that is what you want to do. (: I'm still pre-Nursing (hoping to start this Spring!), so I can't give you any tips or advice about nursing as a career or nursing school just yet. Good luck!

How old are the reviews? If they are several years old she may have changed her teaching style and/or tests since then. Also, just because she has bad reviews on RMP doesn't mean she is a bad teacher. My A&P teacher had pretty bad reviews saying how hard the class was, how her accent was thick, and how she spent most of the class talking about her life. She was great, the tests were fair, and I made an A in her A&P I and II pretty easily. This has happened to me several times with RMP. I wouldn't freak out over bad reviews. Also, I've taken O Chem, and I think you'll be fine without Gen Chem I or II. They really are very different.

Honestly? Not much probably. Let the professor know ahead of time, and ask a classmate for the missed notes the next class period. The issue with cutting class is it can become a habit very easily, but since you have a reasonable reason, that is unlikely to happen (you're not missing because you're tired, hungover, or got behind on schoolwork). Some professors do take attendance, have pop quizzes, etc., but it is unlikely that there will be anything like that the second day of class. As lots of posters have mentioned, most students miss at least one class and do fine. Some classes are more forgiving than others (Summer/shortened semesters are less forgiving than standard MWF classes; missing a class that has tests based entirely on lectures that are not posted online would be more upsetting than missing a class where the professor posts the PPs). I would also try to start scheduling appointments from now on. I understand your mother is difficult/controlling, but whats to stop her from doing this again? What if you had a test or presentation? It is difficult if you are still dependent on her, but I think it would be a good idea to respectfully push for a little more freedom. If you can't schedule yourself, perhaps try to require a general time frame (e.x. only early mornings/late evenings, only weekends, etc.). Good luck!

Oh gosh I am in that situation right now! The application deadline was July 31st, and I have no idea when we will find out. My school's website said we would be notified by a letter in the mail, but didn't say anything else. I hope they also send an email (or at least call), since snail mail can be unreliable. Good luck to everyone waiting!

It really depends on the subject, but I used to have the same problem. I started carving out designated study time everyday, and stuck to studying during that time. I had to put the laptop, phone, etc. away completely. Don't start any new shows, games, etc. during the semester. I'm horrible with procrastination, and cannot have any distractions. Also, don't study more than an hour without a break. I try to do 1 hour, 20 minute break, then another hour of studying. Reading the chapter before class helps a lot, because you are then able to ask questions while the teacher is talking about the subject, and you get it all explained a second time. Pay attention in class and write good notes. If the teacher posts Powerpoints online, print them out and write extra information on them. Handwriting the notes is better for learning than typing. I'm sure this is a given, but go to every class! After class, review the notes. It is a really good habit to get into this everyday. If it is a science course think through the concepts, make flashcards (saved me in A&P!), make concept maps, etc. If it is math, review the process, practice problems, etc. Figure out what helps YOU learn the subject. Also, make mini tests and questions! After studying, test your knowledge and re study what you don't know. Explain the concepts to a family member, friend, dog without looking at notes. My Microbiology teacher would always say, "You don't really know it until you can explain it without reference." Utilize the professor's office hours, any campus tutors, etc. This is when studying early really comes in handy. Ask for clarification of a lesson before they start the next subject if possible. Don't wait until the day/week before the test/midterm/final, it gets busy. I haven't tried this yet, but saw another member post this tip once. Every Sunday, study as if the test is the next day. Make sure you know all of the information from that week by heart. Do this every week. This way when the test does come up, you should know all the previous information pretty well and won't have to study it as much. (: Midterms and Finals specifically can be beasts, because they are usually over a lot of information. Cramming information throughout the semester really hurts you here, because when you cram you tend to forget a lot of the information right after the test. So when final time comes around, you have to relearn a large portion of it. Also, leave plenty of time to review and study. Waiting a week before a midterm to start studying 7+ chapters is no bueno! I try to schedule a reasonable amount of studying everyday specifically for the midterm/final, and then have the day or two before the test as easy, light reviewing days. Make sure to stay healthy! Get plenty of sleep, eat well, exercise. My A&P teacher would always get on us about that, because it is important to keep your immune system up. Lots of students seem to get sick around final time because of lack of sleep and stress, don't be one of them! Also, most importantly, believe in yourself! It might sound sappy, but negativity is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Never think that you're not smart enough, or you're just "bad" at a subject. Never go into a test thinking you will fail! If you need to, take deep breaths, clear your mind, and focus on the question. Skip the ones you don't know, and answer the ones you do. Then go back and answer the blank ones. What also helps me get through tests is having a "reward" saved for afterwards. The last piece of cake, pancakes, something that I have been wanting. That way I have something enjoyable to look forward to, and can see the end of the test. (: Hope this helps! (: Edit: More tips: -Have one evening a week completely to yourself. That means absolutely no studying. Some relax time will help prevent you from burning out. -If the test question is conceptual, think about everything you know about the concept and how it relates to the question. -Don't be afraid to write on the tests, even if they are multiple choice. Write out steps, conversions, correct the incorrect answers. Just watch the time. -After the first test, if possible, think of potential questions while studying new material. This is easiest after you have a feel for the teacher's testing style. Before the first test, make the questions as hard, complicated, and conceptual as you can. Interrelate concepts, and really make sure you know the material. Even after the first test, make the questions harder than you think they will be.

Hello everyone! I just got back from the exam and did pretty well. :) Reading Comprehension: 94% Grammar: 96% Vocabulary: 90% Biology: 92% Chemistry: 92% Anatomy: 64% Math: 94% Cumulative: 88.86% Critical thinking: 860/1000 The school I am applying to doesn't have a minimum score requirement, and only says that to be competitive to score at least an 80% cumulative and 800+ critical thinking. :)

Thank you all! I take it tomorrow, eep! My A&P I prepared me pretty well for the Integumentary, Skeletal, Muscular, and Nervous System, as well as the basic functions and organs of each system. I also bought the app HESI A2 pocket prep, which has helped me narrow down the info I still need. Hopefully all goes well :)