Setting myself up for failure?

[Chaotic94]

I posted a couple of weeks ago about how I was struggling in my Bio class that I needed before I could take A&P. I spoke to my professor and he told me to stick it out which I did. I studied and got a B on the last exam, but didn't do too well on the final today. I ended up with a 67.52%, anything above a 69% would've been a C. I am devastated. And now, I am in damage control mode. I was previously registered to take Chemistry in the Fall on Saturdays to allow me to take math and A&P during the week. Now I've had to drop Chem in order to re-take Bio on Saturdays instead. All of the Chem classes are closed now, and even if they weren't there aren't any that would work with my class schedule. I am set on taking math with a certain professor bc I've had him twice now and he's the first math professor I've actually been able to understand since high school. I am desperately searching for other campuses to take Chem at, but it seems my only option will be an online course. I have never taken a Chemistry class in my life. I'm not GREAT at math, but not horrible. The class starts Monday which sucks bc I sooooo need a break especially after spending the last 8 weeks in this Bio class that I didn't even pass. But I want to start it as soon as possbile that way it doesn't overlap with my Fall classes too much (they would only overlap for 3 weeks if I start this class on Monday bc the class is an 8 week course). I just don't know if I am setting myself up for failure by taking a Chem class online when a huge reason why I didn't pass this Bio class is bc I did not understand the chem in it. And also taking it in 8 weeks instead of 16. I bought the Chemistry for Dummies book, but I am still lost on some aspects of it. I just don't want to have to end up taking Chem in the Spring with A&P bc I want A&P to be the only science course I have that semester so I can give it my all. Any suggestions?

[Ambbuur, RN]

Chemistry can be extremely difficult to understand if you dont have the right teacher. Taking is online could be a gamble, so you should try to look the teacher up on the rate my professor website. If people are saying the class is easy, go for it. Otherwise, see if you can take chem in the summer so that you can focus on one difficult science class at a time

[Chaotic94]

Thanks for the suggestion! Hopefully I can find good reviews, otherwise I guess it will be best to wait until next Summer to take chem :/ I don't know why I hadn't considered that, guess I was too busy freaking out bc I planned on being done with pre-reqs this December. It would only put me behind an additional 2 months if I do that so it won't be too bad. Thanks again!

[caliotter3]

Chem was my downfall and can be the downfall for many. I highly suggest that you take this class in person. And, yes, I think you would be setting yourself up for failure. Damage control for you at this point is slowing down and giving yourself a better chance.

[SaraMC]

I've learned the hard way that if it's something that sounds complicated, let a teacher teach you in person. Unless you are extremely disciplined and have the ability to teach yourself, you're better off taking the class in person. It helps a lot.

[mzrainydayz, BSN, RN]

It seems like you need a tutor, you need someone other than your teacher to step in and help you understand the material. My school offers that service to all students. If you can't pass BIO then how do you expect to pass A&P? All in all I say don't give up just get your priorities straight. I had to cut back on my hours at work to put in more study time to pass my classes. It's all up to you don't waste your time and money.

[willowita, ADN, RN]

I know you don't want to take A&P with chem, which is why you want to take it in Fall, but I just don't think that sounds like a good idea given the info in your post. Especially if the only way you can take chem is to take it online.

In my experience with online classes, you have to be able to teach yourself. You can't always get the help you need from the instructor and trying to type out chem questions and answers seems like a headache to me. I think chem is the kind of class you should take in person, since you didn't do well in bio and you admit that the chem in the class was confusing for you. So if that means that you wait until Spring, then you should do that. It's better to wait and have a better chance for success than to do poorly and then have to retake it anyway. Plus, don't you have to go in person for the labs anyway?

Your focus for this semester should be to pass bio with a good grade, not bite off more than you can chew. You should know what to expect from bio now and you can focus all your energies into mastering the things that held you back before. That's what I would do.

I know everyone wants to get through the pre-reqs quickly but these are not the classes to scrape by and rush through. You want to master the material and get great grades so you can be prepared for and be a better candidate for nursing school. If you need to take one science course per semester to give it your all, then do that.

[Chaotic94]

Thanks everyone! The labs are online, too. You get instructions and have to send in pictures. Very strange. Now that I've had time to process everything, I've decided to just wait to take chem. It will take longer, but it would be far too overwhelming to do it all at once. I'm just going to take math and bio in the Fall and focus on getting As in those classes which is what I'm used to getting. I didn't pass bio bc I didn't study for the first 2 exams, the only one I studied for was the last one which I did well on, and then tried to read all 18 chapters that were on the final in 2 days which clearly wasn't a good idea. I only have myself to blame so time to face the consequences. At least I have some hope knowing that the test I did study for I passed. Now I just need to study for each test in the Fall. Expensive lesson learned.