I am just starting my prereq's...and was wondering if I am totally insane to try to take Chem, Micro and API in the same semester..why would I consider something this crazy?..because If I complete all of my pre classes before Sept.09 I would be entered into a PRIORITY admission to my community colleges "ACCLERATED 13 month RN program." The only way I can make that deadline is to take CHEM, MICRO and API together in Spring and then take APII, STATS and SOCI I in SUMMER
I am 42 years old, my kids are at the end of HS and are very independant and supportive. I am not working and don't have to work for two years, my husband is great...so, I don't have pressures that most people have....HOWEVER, I have not been in school for 20 years. I do have a BS in Public Policy and my GPA was always around a 3.5....BUT I never took MATH classes beyond a C in Algebra, and I only took BIOL 101....I do love human body stuff and nutrition and am excited about A&P and MICRO...but I am dreading CHEM and STATs because it is not my strong suit...math is scary for me.
SO, should I just relax take the classes and go for good solid A's in my classes or try to cram these classes in as short a period as possible to get the GPA EDGE for getting a seat in this competitive program? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
If math is a weak point for you I would advise against this plan.
Math has always been a disaster for me, and the demands of three science classes is deep for the average person. My main concern is being sure to obtain the highest grade possible. Many students strategically did this by taking a science class either totally alone or with a fluff class like basket weaving...LOL, in order to place ALL of their concentration on obtaining the highest grade possible. Now, there are some that are able to handle such, and I don't want to discount the OP at all. Maybe she/he has the aptitude to pull it off. For me, though, it would have been placing on cement shoes and jumping in a cold pool.
and honestly I think that if you have the proper permission to take all these classes at once, then I say go for it. I know that you said math is a weak point for you, but I think the best way to learn it is not in a general class, but in other classes in which you need to apply it. Doing it over and over and over again, in many different settings will help it "stick" more.
That and multitasking is important. Once you are in school, you will be taking multiple classes at once and you need to learn how to budget and allocate your study time appropriately, and what better way to learn appropriate time management skills than when you are taking your pre-reqs?
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
and honestly I think that if you have the proper permission to take all these classes at once, then I say go for it. I know that you said math is a weak point for you, but I think the best way to learn it is not in a general class, but in other classes in which you need to apply it. Doing it over and over and over again, in many different settings will help it "stick" more.
That and multitasking is important. Once you are in school, you will be taking multiple classes at once and you need to learn how to budget and allocate your study time appropriately, and what better way to learn appropriate time management skills than when you are taking your pre-reqs?
I just don't know if taking a chance in classes that count would be a wise idea if the OP knows for a fact that there are certain weaknesses to be addressed, such as math. I say this because it sounds like you are saying to take the classes and learn as you go. I'd rather learn a bit while taking an algebra class where the grade may not be applied to the GPA than to dive in (if not sure) and have to repeat the courses that count heavily towards the nursing cirriculum/acceptance into the program or risking a lower GPA. I can't speak for all schools, but mine did not allow a student to repeat a class unless a D or F was earned and even then, both grades were factored in together, which would still equate to lowering the GPA for a 4-6 credit course.
Is there any way you can take a&p 2 with micro? they have a lot of cross-linking material so it wouldn't be so bad to take micro, a&p 2 and one other class. Its alot but it sounds like you have the time! I think if you really want to apply for that early entry than go for it! I also had to squeeze my prereqs in in under a year while working FT, but in the end it was worth it! I got in my program and start in may! Best of Luck!
Also, stats is very different from other math classes, so even if algebra wasn't your thing that doesn't mean stats will be as horrible, at least that was my experience!
Another thing I want to say it that, in my humble opinion, cramming in as many classes in as possible detracts from their actual purpose, which is to learn and retain as much of the learned material as possible. It reduces the academic process to that of a hurdle race.
You may do better than I would have, but if I were in your shoes and thinking about doing that, my answer to myself would be _____ no! That would be a nightmare!
Math has always been a disaster for me, and the demands of three science classes is deep for the average person. My main concern is being sure to obtain the highest grade possible. Many students strategically did this by taking a science class either totally alone or with a fluff class like basket weaving...LOL, in order to place ALL of their concentration on obtaining the highest grade possible. Now, there are some that are able to handle such, and I don't want to discount the OP at all. Maybe she/he has the aptitude to pull it off. For me, though, it would have been placing on cement shoes and jumping in a cold pool.
Exactly!! You and I sound a lot alike. I would never attempt it.
I'm sure you could do it. Just be careful. I did a similar thing and did not have much left to give when nursing school came around. Your body and mind can only sustain such a hard and stressful courseload for so long and nursing school is a bit like taking chem/AP/micro all at the same time. So I'd be planning on taking quite a break in between the semester of all the pre-reqs and starting an accelerated program! Keep your eyes on the prize and that's being well rested, passing, and exceling in nursing school. Looking back i wish I would have slowed down in taking my prereqs so I wasn't so burned out when nursing school came around. Good luck! I'm sure it will be challenging but you'll do great.
I took Micro, Physiology & Chem in the same semester along with a Gen Ed course and got all As. I think it helped me with perfecting my study skills and when I got to nursing school I wasn't struggling to find a way to study for 4 demanding classes at a time. Only you can decide whether you can do it or not. I was determined and unwilling to put off NS any longer than I had to, so taking these classes individually wasn't an option for me.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Exactly!! You and I sound a lot alike. I would never attempt it.
Anne, RNC
When I think of the labs, the memorization of body parts, formulas, lectures and such, I STILL get overwhelmed! I was in a unique situation where I graduated from the first LPN program of my community college which was initiating an LPN to RN transition course. Both, LPN and RN students were required to take most of the same college level pre/co-requisites with the exception of chemistry, ENG102, sociology and micro (those were for RNs). I did take micro as a filler, however, even though I had no intention of going RN. Those classes were INTENSE. Again, I am not saying that the OP or anyone that really has the heart, aptitude or balls cannot do it. But, one has to be true to themselves in the mirror. In addition, knowing that acceptance into the program was not just based on passing, but passing HIGH...whew! I knew one student that had a 3.7 GPA that STILL wasn't accepted into the RN program...it was that competitive with only 40 some odd seats and 300 applicants. I was on a leave with pay that also paid tuition, had a teenage son that gave me no problems and my husband worked evenings, yet STILL, those science courses took the wind out of me.
Again, one must know themselves and judge accordingly.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I took Micro, Physiology & Chem in the same semester along with a Gen Ed course and got all As. I think it helped me with perfecting my study skills and when I got to nursing school I wasn't struggling to find a way to study for 4 demanding classes at a time. Only you can decide whether you can do it or not. I was determined and unwilling to put off NS any longer than I had to, so taking these classes individually wasn't an option for me.
ETA: I was very cranky that semester
:yelclap::cheers::pumpiron::dncgbby::yldhdbng::urck::clpty::w00t: You GO!! No wonder we didn't hear from you during that phase of time! Again, know yourself, know your needs and do what you have to do, if you know you can! NYDreamer...you ARE my hero!
LOL! Boy, was I cranky that semester. I was here alot, just didn't post much. My poor friend had to listen to me vent that entire semester. NOT a happy time for me. LOL. But again, it did help with perfecting my study skills. I'm just glad it's over. You couldn't pay me to go back to pre-reqs.
:yelclap::cheers::pumpiron::dncgbby::yldhdbng::urck::clpty::w00t: You GO!! No wonder we didn't hear from you during that phase of time! Again, know yourself, know your needs and do what you have to do, if you know you can! NYDreamer...you ARE my hero!
:yelclap::cheers::pumpiron::dncgbby::yldhdbng::urck::clpty::w00t: You GO!! No wonder we didn't hear from you during that phase of time! Again, know yourself, know your needs and do what you have to do, if you know you can! NYDreamer...you ARE my hero!
pagandeva2000, LPN
7,984 Posts
Math has always been a disaster for me, and the demands of three science classes is deep for the average person. My main concern is being sure to obtain the highest grade possible. Many students strategically did this by taking a science class either totally alone or with a fluff class like basket weaving...LOL, in order to place ALL of their concentration on obtaining the highest grade possible. Now, there are some that are able to handle such, and I don't want to discount the OP at all. Maybe she/he has the aptitude to pull it off. For me, though, it would have been placing on cement shoes and jumping in a cold pool.