I've had 2 A&P lectures so far, and am already so overwhelmed by the volume of information we're expected to learn that I'm just about ready to quit the class and give up my plans of attending nursing school. I fought back tears for the last hour of the 4-hour (!) lecture last night, and cried in the car all the way home. I'm desperate to get out of this corporate career I'm in and do something I can be proud of, and that helps people, but I'm afraid now that I just can't do this thing. If I can't handle A&P, I can't do any healthcare profession.
I have a BA in Zoology, so I though I'd be able to handle the schoolwork, but that was almost 20 years ago and it seems I'm different now. Also, I think I bit off too much, but there's nothing that can give: I work 40 hrs/week (we're not allowed to go part time), I'm taking A&P and Sociology as prereqs (must complete to get into the program next fall), and volunteering in an ER (need this so I can write about my healthcare experience in the application essay in February).
I'm afraid that I'm past the point of being able to be encouraged by pep talks....so I don't really know what I'm asking here. I feel very discouraged. I guess I just wanted to put this out there (this is my very first post to this wonderful board), and see what folks have to say.
Thanks for any advice, input, etc., even if it's just to say that if I can't hack A&P, then I can't hack nursing school!
Evi...good advice so far! You can do it...it IS intimidating, but it CAN be done. There are a lot of us on these boards who are working full time, going to school and have families. It's not easy, but I think in the long run, it'll be worth it.
Having said that...
A&P is difficult. There is a lot of memorization work and studying that must be done. So far, I'd say it's the toughest course I've ever taken (well, except for when I took physics my first time through college...oi vey. I didn't take it...it took ME! ). Here's what I did...
Every night after class I would go over my notes. Actually, I would re-write them. Usually they weren't too legible, so this helped me to (a) be able to read them later and (b) would drive the points further into my head. Sometimes, that's all I would do on class days. Then on the days I didn't have class, I would read the chapter (depending on the chapter & subjects covered, I may read them a couple times). If I already read the chapter, I would go through the exercises at the back of the chapters. I bought the study guide that went along with the textbook. It wasn't required, but it really helps. Especially if you get one that goes right along with the textbook you are using in class. That way everything is set up in the same order, etc. For stuff like bones, muscles, etc. that I had to memorize, there were several diagrams in these study guides, so I would xerox them and use them as worksheets over & over again. I made flashcards on everything and carried them with me wherever I went.
Basically I was constantly in a state of cramming. If I had a spare few minutes, I'd go over my notes, flashcards, the study guide, the chapter...whatever. I lived, ate, breathed A&P. It also helped me to talk to my husband about things I was learning. For instance, when studying the digestive system I told him the whole process of digestion & absorption. Sure, it might have bored him, but he humored me and pretended like he was interested. :chuckle He told me later that he didn't know a lot of the stuff (like the fact that the lg. intestine absorbs water, etc) so it was a learning experience for him too.
I got through A&P I a few weeks ago in an abbreviated summer term & I got an A. It took a lot of blood, sweat & tears, but I did it. And I actually ENJOYED the class! Go figure! :chuckle
I'm about to start A&P II in 2 weeks. I'm already studying ahead for it...beginning to memorize what I know I'll need to know. Trying to get a head start on it all so I'm not too overwhelmed. I think the second class should be easier in a way than the first one because you pretty much know what you're in for and you're more prepared mentally. At least I hope I am.
Hang in there. It takes some doing, but you can do it! If I can do it...anyone can. I'm sure you'll feel better after a few more classes.
Oh...and evi...I'm with John. There are so many people who are in nursing programs who do not have any healthcare experience. I'm sure if you don't have any that it shouldn't count against you. If you feel like you should still have some experience, cut back on your hours. The school shouldn't give a fig if you have a couple hours a month rather than a couple hours a week.
Hi Evi, as a returning student I felt the same way and I always do during the first week or so of class. I honestly feel that it is a way for the professors to let some students know that they are not in high school any more and more studying will be required. It is usually until I have my first test when I know how it will go, then I always can breath a little easier.
You've received a lot of great advice on studying. You will find that even when you don't have a book or notes in front of you, you will think about A&P. When it came to memorizing the bones and muscles, I would break them down to smaller groups and get them memorized and then I would work on the next small group. It was one of the classes that I really had to apply myself to and study hard, but it paid off. Also, A&P2 is nothing like A&P 1. To many students, A&P2 is a breeze compared to A&P1.
Also...YOU ARE NOT ALONE...I can bet that there are many students feeling the same way you are feeling now.
I haven't met anyone yet who didn't find A&P to be a difficult course. My A&P teacher didn't get any extra credit at all, no curves. The only thing that counted toward your grade was quizzes and tests. No extra credit projects, reports, nothing. Talk about stress. I had to repeat A&P 1 and got through A&P 2 pretty well. I was bummed about repeating the first part, but I did get more out of it that way. Please don't give up, just give it your best shot and you'll do it! I remember waking up many mornings looking at myself in the mirror and saying "why are you doing this to yourself?" But then that little voice inside said "because you can." And I did. And you will too!!
evi, I took a Zoology class during my first college career, and found it pretty difficult. I'd say if you managed a degree in that field, you should be able to take on A&P. The prof is most likely trying to scare the new students a bit. There's no way you can learn EVERYTHING in that class. You just need to learn enough to pass the tests. You will keep your A&P books and will be able to refer back to them when you get into nursing school, as needed.
I worked 40 hrs/week, took 7 credits/semester, and ended up with an A+ in all my pre-reqs. A&P is tedious, and yes there is a lot of information, but it's not the end-all-be-all of classes out there. With your zoology background, I'm sure you can do it.
I have a Masters degree in information science. That said, AP I is the hardest class I have ever taken. When I saw the amount of material to be memorized, I thought I would never be able to do it. It is so overwhelming, especially the first few weeks. I cried too!
What worked for me was to make flashcards for the lecture tests. I ended up with hundreds of them! I took them with me everywhere. I studied on the train, during lunch, at night, on the weekends, etc.
For the lab practicals, I photocopied the pictures from the lab manual and put white-out over the labels. I used these pictures to test myself. When I could fill in all the missing labels, I knew I was ready for the lab practical. I wasn't able to go to open lab very often, so I really relied on the pictures. It is difficult to go from 2-D pictures to 3-D models, but it can be done.
Your biggest challenge will be to find the time you need to study. You will have to give up your favorite tv shows, reading romance novels, having lunch with friends, etc. but you can do it. I started the class praying for a C and ended up with an A!
I am also a returning student so my first class back I decided to take A&P I in the spring semester (7 weeks). I also worked about 60 hours per week and got a 4.0 (98%). The first thing you have to learn is that you have to learn you can't just memorize the material. You probably need to re-evaluate the way that you study. I got the book "you are smarter than you think" off of amazon.com. this book is required by lots of nursing schools. after I read it, I am actually learning and not just relying on my short term memory. I would give it a try it is definetly worth the 20 bucks. good luck and PM me if you ever need someone to talk to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:kiss
Also, A&P2 is nothing like A&P 1. To many students, A&P2 is a breeze compared to A&P1.
I have to agree with you on this one. A & P 2 was MUCH easier, well easier isn't the right word, maybe it just made more sense. A & P 2 is more about how the body systems work independently and together and its not as much memorizing as the first course. Stick with it, it will start to "click" eventually!
Just three short days ago I began nursing school, and I can't even put it into words how happy and proud of myself I am to be here. I suffered through 3 years of difficult prerequisite classes just like everybody else has to do, and as much as I wanted to throw in the towel (and believe me, that happened MANY times!), I pushed on and pushed on. And after all my hard work, I sat down in class at 9:00am this past Monday morning thinking that I had already conquered what seemed to be a huge feat and I was in nursing school. It's easier to listen to advice than take it, but the end reward is something that you obviously want. It's worth all the effort in the world to do something you truly feel in your heart that you must do. I'll share with you one of my favorite quotes: "Defeat is not the worst of failures; not to have tried is the true failure." Don't worry; *it gets better!* GOOD LUCK!!!!
Don't give up. You have not been in school for awhile and it is going to take some time to develop study habits, and I really think that is your problem here.
John gave some great adive. You need to sit down and look at your schedual and break things down into smaller portions (include study time, class time, work and volunteer time which IMO you should not be doing or cut wayyyyyy back on that)
Dont gie up so fast though!!! At the beginning of every semester it is always hard on everyone, then things kinda settle down and you fall into a groove of doing things, you will strike up friendships with people in your classes and find people who are in the same boat you are.
But really you CAN DO THIS!!!!! Stick in there girl!!
). Here's what I did...
evi
5 Posts
I love that: "someone named 'furball' did it I sure as hell can!" !!!