Starting A&P I in January

PurpleLover · Dec 18, 2013

I am 28! A and P 1 was easy for me. The labs were fun and I had an amazing instructor! Do npt worry.

PurpleLover · Dec 18, 2013

I would rent the books unless you want to be able to reference them once you are in the program.

Crew2Nursing · Dec 18, 2013

I would suggest taking your local colleges study skills and test taking advice classes early or in conjunction with your class. That is only if your worried about study skills, and test taking advice. There are some great resources online such as….

https://www.sophia.org/preparing-for-college/college-success-study-skills-101

Where To Study / How To Study

As far as the balance, Talk to your family and let them know that you will need support and help. The only way I have been able to get though school is my support system of my family, friends, and co-workers. I would say It is almost impossible without the support of your family/friends around you. As long as you have their unconditional support you will make it through this process.

Books, this is a tricky subject. Some professors require you to purchase a specific book written by specific authors (usually a director or leader in that field at a particular college). When this happens you usually are required to purchase the book from your local bookstore on campus. However, other books can be purchased from Chegg.com, Amazon.com, barnesandnobel.com, etc. Always shop around and look for students that are taking the courses you need for next semester. As long as the books are not changing your set if you can purchase them off the outgoing student population. Another way is to look on bulletin boards around campus and see if students are re-selling the books back. The other option is to rent your text books.

I try to purchase my books from the cheapest method period. I check all the avenues and do what I can to save. After all it is going to be resold as long as it is not my “nursing books” that I want to keep and re-read for future knowledge. I have purchased most of my books second hand or rented these items to cut down on cost.

Good luck to you and let us know how it turns out.

-Crew2Nursing.

jackiei3 · Dec 18, 2013

I am a student here in Alabama. I typically buy all my books used..I also buy them ahead of the game so I can get them before they run out. If your lucky sometimes you can find them on Amazon, or used textbook brokers in your area. Just google it.

My best advice is NEVER take an A&P I or II in the summer! I got a C in it and took it again this fall and got an A. It is a LOT of studying. It is no longer the skim through a couple times and come out on top game. You really have to attend class and read the chapters. A&P I is mainly memorizing. A&P II is understanding (the glorious blood drop around the body from the heart comes into mind for most). I work at a group home for the mentally challenged and my manager has 5 kids, a husband, manages the house, and still has time for nursing school. It is not the most laid back program to attend but it is well worth it. Especially if you are passionate about nursing. Good luck to you and don't worry too much it will all work out!

jackiei3 · Dec 18, 2013

Also research your professor before picking classes! This has saved me a lot of heartache from awful teachers!

ReginaK · Dec 19, 2013

I am 42 years old, and, after two full years, just finished my prerequisites and will be starting nursing school in January. My son graduated college before me! I bought most of my books on Craigslist and have sold many of them there as well. Older editions usually work well and are much less expensive. Some instructors don't even require books. Make sure you have a quiet place you can study. Your kids are old enough to do a lot for themselves- let them! Choose your battles wisely. Most of all- have fun!! School is a lot of work, but I have had a blast! I love hanging out with the younger students! They teach me so much, and I have developed some really neat relationships. Work hard, study hard, and remember each day what a privilege it is that we can be where we are. Best of luck to you!!

MissCris · Dec 19, 2013

I've bought most of my books used and I resell them on ebay when I'm done with them. I just finished A&P I (today! whew, so glad it's over) and I will be keeping that book for reference later. I was out of school for 7 years before I went back (I'm 26 now) and I have a 50 year old in my study group. It will be an adjustment for sure, but school is school and if you have good study habits you'll be fine. A&P was my most difficult course so far in my pre-reqs, but I think my professor played a role in that. Your kids are old enough to understand that "mom is studying right now" so you have that going for you. Maybe your 17 year old can help some with the younger ones? If your kids are even remotely interested (my 3 year old obviously wasn't, but I yapped her ear off anyway) you can talk to them about what you're learning in class to reinforce the ideas. It helps more than you'd think.

maddiem · Dec 19, 2013

A&P is not an easy course! The amount of content can be overwhelming, but if you study efficiently and don't fall behind it won't be so bad. The key is to stay ahead. Get your book early and read the first chapter before your class starts (definitely get a used book, much cheaper). That way, you're familiar with basics before you begin. For the rest of the course, read the material you're going to cover in class BEFORE you get to class! I did this and it made lectures so much more productive for me. I wasn't wasting my time trying to grasp the concept during class. I was actually understanding it and was able to engage in discussions/answer questions better. You don't leave lecture confused or forgeting what you learned! Also, during lecture I would highlight in my textbook what my instructor emphasized the most so when it came down to studying for an exam I wasn't trying to memorize the whole chapter. The key is to prepare your self to study. Set yourself up for success by being ahead of the game and not trying to cram the night before - it won't work. Cramming is a no-go in A&P. And in nursing school for that matter!

One of the best study tools you can take advantage of for this class is open lab. During your scheduled lab time you will be handling life size 3D models of the human body. You will have to be able to identify parts of the body in the lab for your midterm and final lab practicals. Once a week in lab is not enough time to be around these models to be well prepared for your practicals. Go to the open labs!!!! Practice identifying structures on the models on your own time. It will make a world of a difference! Its not the same studying from a picture. It will look much more different on the models during your practicals.

Finally, be organized!! Studying efficiently. Make charts, flashcards, study sheets...I had quick study sheets that I made to review from before exams. I would take a topic from the exam and make one page of short notes, diagrams, anything to help me review. Don't try and study from the book for the exam. Chapters can be 40-50 pages long. Read the book, and then take that content and make it useful (flash cards, etc).

This is how I got A's in both my A&P classes. Don't let yourself fall behind! Stay ahead of the game and anticipate what is coming next. Good luck!

ready4nu · Dec 19, 2013

Check into an older edition of the book on amazon. If you go one efition older (3rd instead of 4th) you can save a lot...usually its just a few pages off here and there with the same content.

I drew and labeled pictures of what we were learning in lab and that helped it stick. I was out of school for 25 years when I went back, and now have one semester left to graduate. You will be fine. Good luck!

ready4nu · Dec 19, 2013

Oh...and this site is great

http://www.getbodysmart.com/

Pink Magnolia, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2013

I bought the book and kept it! I found myself referring to it during patho! A&P is not hard, but it's not easy. Dedicate times for reading and studying the material. Stay ahead of the game! You can do it!!!