Questions, HELP, and suggestions for A & P I

stressgal, RN · Dec 27, 2005

It sounds as if you know what needs to be done, it's just putting it into action.

Algebra will just be doing the work and being sure you understand the process. If there is a math lab on campus, take advantage and get assistance when needed. You cannot get behind in algebra or you will be lost.

A&P is alot of memorization. I used note cards, take them with you everywhere and sneak peeks at them. You must break the habit of cramming. This will not serve you well. Set aside time each and every day to study each class. I understand you have a lot on your plate, but set a study time daily when you and the kids can do your homework. No TV or distractions. This will help you and instill good study habits for the kids.

I find one of the only quiet places in my house is the bathtub, so I study there each night. If your young one won't go to bed until you, go to your bed to study.

There is a way to study daily, you just need to search out the way that works for you.

Good luck!

stpauligirl · Dec 27, 2005

I am take A & P 1, Algebra, and Computer Concepts in the Spring. I was looking through some of these A & P sites, and suddenly I feel SICK, Now I have the feeling that it's going to be soooo overwhelming and wondering if it is possible for me to do this. I have ADD and i'm so scared i can't do this, I finished fall semester in Intro to Chemistry with a B and English Comp with a B. Does anyone have any suggestions that will help me study and remember all that need to be remembered. I have a problem of waiting until the last minute and trying to cram, I know i can't do this and i have to get out of doing that.Also the problem is my house is my husband works 2nd and my 13 yr.o.d and 6 yr.o.s are always screaming at me to help do this and that, and get this and that, on top of my 69 yr.o. mother-in-law that is mentally ill, having to do for her( she lives with us also) I don't get home from work until 4 and my son WILL NOT go to bed until i do. HELP!!!!

If you have ADD do you have medical documentation for it? If so you may be able to test out of the class room at the Student's with Disabilities Center in your school and get extended time. I have a learning disability because I had bacterial meningitis in 2001 and was left with some memory problems and I qualify for services . I taped the A&P lecture which was very helpful. You might also qualify to have a note taker in your class. Your good grades in Engl and chem show that you can do this. I found Chem harder than A&P. A&P just took more study time.

And for the New Year I'd announce to the kids that there will be bedtime in 2006, starting January 1st!!!!! 8:30 in their rooms, if they can't sleep they can read but no coming out and bother you unless it is a real emergency! The 13 year old needs to help the little one so that they are out of your hair! You need to study! Do you have a lock on your bedroom door? I just go in the bedroom and lock the door and don't come out for a while......it won't kill them trust me and they'll find their own solutions to their never ending crisis! They'll get the message after a while. Good luck, and keep in touch

kayel · Dec 27, 2005

I agree, make sure you are setting aside time every day for each of your courses, with no distractions. Also, I wouldn't look at the websites unless you have a specific question with understanding something as they ARE very overwhelming. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and concentrate on you and what needs to be done. Above all, try not to listen to other people talking about their studying or marks as that can overwhelm you in very short order.

You can do this!!

purplemania, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2005

work on your A&P and algebra a little each day to keep it fresh in your mind. 10 min will make a difference. There is a coloring book available in most bookstores that is helpful in learning A&P. Sounds like your house is chaotic. You said the kids scream at you? Hope you did not mean that literally. Why not sit down with hubby to work out a schedule for everyone to do their part. Your career affects them all, so they should help you achieve your goal. If you are just responding to whoever makes the most noise or whatever task has the most urgency you will always be in crisis mode. Learn to say no, set a schedule and stick to it. I also recommend RX if you are truly ADD and not already on meds. Good luck. I think you are brave to even attempt all this and hope you stick to it!!

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Dec 27, 2005

My advice is to first of all get your 4 year old to follow the rules and go to bed when you want him/her to. You should get this done BEFORE you start back to school. You really need to remember that you are the boss and what you say goes. Put them to bed and when they get up, put them right back in it. Hug and kiss them, read them a story, and then it's lights out! Everytime they get up, put them back in. It will take tears and you may feel like giving in, but it WILL work. You just have to put your foot down. When you get in the nursing program, you could be up until 2:00 am studying (and maybe even while in A&P). You don't want a four year old up that late do you? They will be in kindergarten next year, so you may as well start a routine now, right?

As far as studying, just do as others suggested above and don't procrastinate.

Good Luck.

beepeadoo · Dec 27, 2005

My advice is to first of all get your 4 year old to follow the rules and go to bed when you want him/her to. You should get this done BEFORE you start back to school. You really need to remember that you are the boss and what you say goes. Put them to bed and when they get up, put them right back in it. Hug and kiss them, read them a story, and then it's lights out! Everytime they get up, put them back in. It will take tears and you may feel like giving in, but it WILL work. You just have to put your foot down. When you get in the nursing program, you could be up until 2:00 am studying (and maybe even while in A&P). You don't want a four year old up that late do you? They will be in kindergarten next year, so you may as well start a routine now, right?
As far as studying, just do as others suggested above and don't procrastinate.
Good Luck.

My daughter would not go to bed either. So I thought I'd offer you this game we made up. With great success. Here is how we did it, you can adjust accordingly.

We laid out a game board with a path of squares. every six or seven squares was a "prize." At the end was the BIG prize. We didn't say what the prizes were. But it was known that prizes got progressively larger. The end prize was known. A sleepover with three of her friends.

Every night if she made an effort to stay in bed and fall asleep on her own, she moved forward one. Every night she stayed in bed and went to sleep on her own with no hassle, she moved forward two. If she didn't behave, we had thought she'd move back one, but then we decided to just make it stay in the same spot.

Prizes were actually small, and sleep related. One was a bottle of linen scented spray from The Body Shop. A new pair of pajamas. A new night light of her choosing. etc etc.

Here's the kicker. She tore through that thing in two weeks! After the first night where she moved forward one spot, it was two every time. And she's had no problem since.

She was seven at the time. There is no reason a four year old can't do it. In fact, I'd say if you don't do it when he's four, you're gonna be doing it when he's seven. IMHO he will not grow out of this.

I like this game because it makes staying in bed a positive thing, rather than a punishment.

Good luck. I do agree. You've got to get that kid in bed on his own so you can have your own time BEFORE you start school.

mdbarker · Dec 27, 2005

Thank you all and i'm going to try the game, he has a T.V in his room which i'm thinking is a mistake because he cries and throws a fit to watch it at night and he has to get up at 7 to get ready for school, he just usually hollars at me to get him something to eat or drink. I talked to my husband about everything INCLUDING his mother and finding her a nursing home she is 69 today she is paranoid scheizophrena bipolar and type II diabetic. I made a chore chart for everyone and that was a JOKE my mother-in-law is the only one that done hers and that stopped after about 1 week. I have to get up a 5:30a.m and be at work by 7which is 1 hr away. I just can't get organized with everything and i've tried but with little help it's wearing me down. I take Concerta for the ADD it seems to help a little bite. I tried taking Stratera it make me sick. I want this so bad, but i'm scared to death, mostly but just wondering if i will be able to remember everything I need to. Hopefully in a few months i'm gonna quit full time and try to waitress part-time so I can focus on school full-time. My daughter helps me with my son and she watches him at night when i go to school and the chore thing my mom makes me feel bad, says i'm asking to much of her. Which she is a good one because I done it all starting at age 8 from cleaning to cooking and literly takeing care of my younger brother(bathing, feeding, getting ready for school---the whole 9 yards.) So i guess i have some guilt when i ask her to do something.

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Dec 28, 2005

My daughter would not go to bed either. So I thought I'd offer you this game we made up. With great success. Here is how we did it, you can adjust accordingly.
We laid out a game board with a path of squares. every six or seven squares was a "prize." At the end was the BIG prize. We didn't say what the prizes were. But it was known that prizes got progressively larger. The end prize was known. A sleepover with three of her friends.
Every night if she made an effort to stay in bed and fall asleep on her own, she moved forward one. Every night she stayed in bed and went to sleep on her own with no hassle, she moved forward two. If she didn't behave, we had thought she'd move back one, but then we decided to just make it stay in the same spot.
Prizes were actually small, and sleep related. One was a bottle of linen scented spray from The Body Shop. A new pair of pajamas. A new night light of her choosing. etc etc.
Here's the kicker. She tore through that thing in two weeks! After the first night where she moved forward one spot, it was two every time. And she's had no problem since.
She was seven at the time. There is no reason a four year old can't do it. In fact, I'd say if you don't do it when he's four, you're gonna be doing it when he's seven. IMHO he will not grow out of this.
I like this game because it makes staying in bed a positive thing, rather than a punishment.
Good luck. I do agree. You've got to get that kid in bed on his own so you can have your own time BEFORE you start school.

That's a really cool idea! I love when parents take the time out to use creative incentives for their children. I just took developmental psych and learned that children respond better to these kinds of positive reinforcers.

I don't know if I've done good or not; I just let my kids sleep in my bed, but they stay in it so it's ok. At least they do go to sleep when I tell them to.

mdbarker · Dec 28, 2005

LOL......I forgot to mention that one too, my husband had gotten laid off for about nine months when my son was a baby and i worked 3rd shift so he started putting him in the bed with him even though i fussed perfusley about it because i had been through the same thing with my daugther and didn't want to go through it again, so my son throws a fit to this day to sleep with me and most of the time i give in because i don't like hearing him cry and say he's scared.........i guess that is my weakness, but i had him 2 months early and we about lost him so he's a spoiled little s*** and at 12:58 p.m. today he turned 6

stpauligirl · Dec 28, 2005

LOL......I forgot to mention that one too, my husband had gotten laid off for about nine months when my son was a baby and i worked 3rd shift so he started putting him in the bed with him even though i fussed perfusley about it because i had been through the same thing with my daugther and didn't want to go through it again, so my son throws a fit to this day to sleep with me and most of the time i give in because i don't like hearing him cry and say he's scared.........i guess that is my weakness, but i had him 2 months early and we about lost him so he's a spoiled little s*** and at 12:58 p.m. today he turned 6

Tell him Happy B-Day from me :biggringi

Mine will be 8 in Jan.

Tell him he is a Big Boy now and needs to sleep in his own bed like Big Boys do.....tell him that the toothfairy can't come unless he sleeps in his own bed or make up something else :wink2:

mandana · Dec 28, 2005

Good luck to you!

First of all, your kids are old enough that they can deal with what you need. It's hard to force them to be a bit independent, but they are definitely old enough to go to bed on their own, get their own bedtime drink/snack, and help you around the house.

As for your classes, with A&P, take the time to really, really learn the material - don't just memorize it. It will help you throughout nursing school. Figure out why things are called what they are, figure out why a certain tissue is made up of certain cell types - it will take longer than just memorizing it, but it will help you in the long run.

And if you can work part time instead of full time, that would be much better!

Amanda