Question about prereq grades

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 24, 2005

I've been reading threads on this forum and there are so many that I can relate to. I too did poorly in college right out of high school. I later married, had kids, stayed home with them until they were both in school. I decided to go back and I have much more determination. It's almost like I have something to prove to myself. I used to think that I wasn't smart. Well, I started out by taking Elem Alg., Int. Alg., and College English I got A's in them and felt really good about myself. Now I am in Fund. of Chem (never had any sciences in high school), I dont work, so I study all day until I pick up my kids from school, and I feel like I understand it, yet the tests are killing me! Is it totally normal for a Chem test to be over 5 and a half chapters and 6 pages long? I didn't even do the last page-I ran out of time. Now I just hope that I will pass. This was our first test, we had two quizzes before it. I read so many posts that you are returning to school like me and getting A's, I am wondering if it's me or maybe I have a really hard teacher. I hope to get into a community college ADN program, should I retake classes that I get C's in? My self esteem is getting a beating right now, why arent I getting an A with all the studying I am doing? I understand the stuff, but apparently I need to be much faster at taking tests. Its so frustrating to have the time issue be the reason for a C instead of an A or B!!! Anyone have any advice?
wink

Hello, wink,

AHHHHHH, chemistry. :stone The course created by the devil himself. :devil: :rotfl:

I think most all have trouble with this course. Have you thought about a tutor?

I believe you will get the hang of it in time. Have you discussed this with your prof? I practically lived in my profs office..........

wink · Sep 24, 2005

Hello, wink,
AHHHHHH, chemistry. :stone The course created by the devil himself. :rotfl:
I think most all have trouble with this course. Have you thought about a tutor?
I believe you will get the hang of it in time. Have you discussed this with your prof? I practically lived in my profs office..........

Well, I dont think I need a tutor, I understand it pretty well. I do study in the Chem lab in case I need help on a certain part of a problem. I think the problem is in trying to remember it ALL! I do fine in the homework. Then four chapters later Iv'e forgotten the stuff from the first chapter! Also, I really think the teacher puts too many questions on the exam for one to realistically solve. It's as if she thinks we should be able to sove the problems as swiftly as she does. I have to read the problem, re read it, set it up, double check the set up etc... I cant possibly get through all of the problems. Another lady in my class said the same thing. I really think that is the main reason why I may only get a C ( What if I dont even get that). Should I retake this class if I get a C? Nursing programs are so hard to get into here in N. CA, would C's prevent me from getting in?

wink

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Sep 24, 2005

Hang in there. Them chem teacher at my school is out to get the nurses. He says that nurses are lazy because they are only taking chem because they need it for nursing. He thinks that if you are taking chem you should not be taking any other classes because his class takes so much dedication. He has said that "If you are normally an A student expect to get C's in my class" :uhoh3:

chemisty is "four letter word"

Hang in there

wink · Sep 25, 2005

Hang in there. Them chem teacher at my school is out to get the nurses. He says that nurses are lazy because they are only taking chem because they need it for nursing. He thinks that if you are taking chem you should not be taking any other classes because his class takes so much dedication. He has said that "If you are normally an A student expect to get C's in my class"
chemisty is "four letter word"
Hang in there

Hmmm. that must be what my teacher is doing. Uggg. Do you think I should re take the class if I get a C? For GPA purposes, getting accepted, etc. If you retake a class, does the previous grade if it is poorer disappear, or does it only change your gpa?

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 25, 2005

Hmmm. that must be what my teacher is doing. Uggg. Do you think I should re take the class if I get a C? For GPA purposes, getting accepted, etc. If you retake a class, does the previous grade if it is poorer disappear, or does it only change your gpa?

No, I do not think one C will keep you out of the nursing program and/or keep you out of competition.

RedSox33RN · Sep 25, 2005

Hmmm. that must be what my teacher is doing. Uggg. Do you think I should re take the class if I get a C? For GPA purposes, getting accepted, etc. If you retake a class, does the previous grade if it is poorer disappear, or does it only change your gpa?

I would talk to the admissions advisor at your school. They are best able to tell you how they weigh everything for admission. Some put a lot of weight on the NLN or other nursing school admission test, others don't. Some weigh everything equally and others don't. When I was applying, one put almost all weight on NLN scores and how many pre-req's were done with a C or better. The one I am attending only considered the NLN scores a small part, but was much more impressed with my 4.0, even though all my pre-req's were not complete.

Oh yeah - Chem=YUCK!!! LOL :chuckle

stressgal, RN · Sep 25, 2005

I have yet to meet a nursing student who enjoyed chemistry, or really even liked it. It is a necessary evil.

You may think of going to your learning center and asking for help. It will just benefit you in the end.

Good luck!

Chicklet2 · Sep 25, 2005

Hey, I'm wanting to take my RN, but having to take Chemisty almost shy's me away from it. My grade 12 chem, I dropped out b/c I only had 45% by June and knew there was no point in taking the final to try and pull my mark up. I dont even know if it's worth to take over b/c I spent almost every day in my teachers room having him help me and I still flunked... any suggestions.. anyone else go through this.

stpauligirl · Sep 25, 2005

I've been reading threads on this forum and there are so many that I can relate to. I too did poorly in college right out of high school. I later married, had kids, stayed home with them until they were both in school. I decided to go back and I have much more determination. It's almost like I have something to prove to myself. I used to think that I wasn't smart. Well, I started out by taking Elem Alg., Int. Alg., and College English I got A's in them and felt really good about myself. Now I am in Fund. of Chem (never had any sciences in high school), I dont work, so I study all day until I pick up my kids from school, and I feel like I understand it, yet the tests are killing me! Is it totally normal for a Chem test to be over 5 and a half chapters and 6 pages long? I didn't even do the last page-I ran out of time. Now I just hope that I will pass. This was our first test, we had two quizzes before it. I read so many posts that you are returning to school like me and getting A's, I am wondering if it's me or maybe I have a really hard teacher. I hope to get into a community college ADN program, should I retake classes that I get C's in? My self esteem is getting a beating right now, why arent I getting an A with all the studying I am doing? I understand the stuff, but apparently I need to be much faster at taking tests. Its so frustrating to have the time issue be the reason for a C instead of an A or B!!! Anyone have any advice?
wink

Only geniuses make A's in Chemistry or the people who are repeating the courses......I am 45, and completed both Chemistry courses toawards BSN with a B, both on the first try with no previous Chemistry experience. No other college courses prior have ever given me more headaches, and I had an Associates Degree when I changed directions to become a nurse. Not even English, and English is my second language! College algebra wasn't easy but manageble. Things were so bad in my Org/Bio Chem class that I was the only one in the class going into the final with a 80+ average. Only 5 students total remained in the class after the last chance to withdraw with a W . It was truly the ultimate challenge for me! Something doesn't sound right about 6 chapters....that's alot. Don't beat yourself up, it's hard stuff. I spent Sunday mornings in bed studying. Try to get a tutor. Good luck.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Sep 25, 2005

Hmmm. that must be what my teacher is doing. Uggg. Do you think I should re take the class if I get a C? For GPA purposes, getting accepted, etc. If you retake a class, does the previous grade if it is poorer disappear, or does it only change your gpa?

It depends on how tough your school is.It could be a rumor, but one year I heard that they had so many people apply that they only took people with 4.0 :bluecry1: . There is a girl in my Stats class that is repeating it because she got a C last time and they told her to re-take it. However, she said she did not get the best grades in other pre-requ's.

If I were you I would talk to your nursing dept. if you can pass chem with a C than take it and run!

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Sep 25, 2005

Only geniuses make A's in Chemistry or the people who are repeating the courses.......

I got an A and I am far from being a genius. I had a smart friend that took the class with me that explained everyting to me that I did not understand. He basiclly taught me the class. More than some stuffy teacher will tons of students could. He was taking it to get into the nursing program, but then got accepted to a doctrite program at UC DDavis. Now he is going through the LVN program so he will be able to work while going to school to be a MD. He had to get a job because he was getting board when he was not in class. He was complaining the other day that the program was not going fast enough for him and that is was all so basic....them darn smart people!!! :lol2: