starting school and need advice

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Hello. I will be starting nursing school this fall. The only class I will be taking is general A&P and I would like to study this summer to get a little ahead. What would you recommend I study? I already have my book and have been quickly going through the chapters, but there is sooooo much information, I'm wondering if this will even help me. Also, I know a few nurses who said they never even read the book. I bought my book used and there is hardly a mark in it! How does one get through A&P without reading the book???!!! I have 3 small children, so I'm afraid my study time will be somewhat limited and I want to make sure I don't waste time studying something that I don't need to. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks.

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Hello. I will be starting nursing school this fall. The only class I will be taking is general A&P and I would like to study this summer to get a little ahead. What would you recommend I study? I already have my book and have been quickly going through the chapters, but there is sooooo much information, I'm wondering if this will even help me.

You could start memorizing. For starters, you'll likely need to memorize parts & function of the cell, major muscles, bones, how to trace a drop of blood through the circulatory system, parts & function of the heart and kidney. There's a lot more to it but that will get you started. Some nurses like to buy an anatomy coloring book (yes, that's a real book) to help them with the memorization.

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Thanks for the info!

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Check out the A&P thread(s) in the Pre-Nursing Student forum.

I have quizzes that you can use for extra study time as well. (Click on my username & then click to visit my website.)

A great way to study is flashcards. They can go anywhere with you. ;) I pre-studied as well. I printed small pics from the internet, such as cell division, and made flashcards out of them.

Trying to memorize the names of bones may help. There will always be more you will need to learn, but at least some things will be a review when you get to that point in class. :)

Good luck!!!

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

I lived off of flashcards during school! You will be surprised at how much time you can steal during the day to study, even if it's only for a few minutes at a time. Try it- you'll see.

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A&P was also the first class I took. And like you, I thought I should read ahead. But I found there was no need to. The instructor I had made it really interesting and understandable when she explained the material. And yes, you rarely have to read the textbooks. Most instuctors give handouts of notes. The textbooks just sound so confusing anyway. Hopefully you will have instuctors like the ones I have mentioned. I was scared because I had been out of school for over 10 years, but I did fine and got an A.

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Yep, no need to read ahead. The teacher will tell you everything you need to know and will explain it much better than that big text book will. My teacher published an outline book so we didn't even have to take notes in class. We didn't read the big book at all. Good luck and purchase some note cards to make flash cards!

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Everyone - Thanks for your suggestions! I will make flashcards and study one of the A&P coloring books.

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Memorize the major bones and muscles and enjoy your summer. :)

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I'd concentrate on A&P, especially the Cranial Nerves.

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