Straight A students..

Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP · Mar 9, 2019

Personally, I would take each science separately. These classes are the foundation of what the rest of your nursing classes will be based on. Trust me, a little of each class creeps into the other. For example, Microbiology creeps into both Anatomy and Physiology. Anatomy and Physiology go hand in hand. Chemistry goes into all of the three aforementioned classes. What I have noticed it seems Chemistry is where a good chunk of people have their "bad moment." If you are not great at the sciences, you definitely want to do Chemistry by itself. All of these classes require a good amount of memorization and understanding of different processes.

One thing I will warn you is, don't always think the "easy" classes will be a breeze. Although their subject matter might not be difficult like the sciences, some of these classes can take up a good chunk of your time, which might be time devoted to the important science ones. Choose the easy classes wisely!

Delcon · Mar 10, 2019

30 minutes ago, Mergirlc said:
Personally, I would take each science separately. These classes are the foundation of what the rest of your nursing classes will be based on. Trust me, a little of each class creeps into the other. For example, Microbiology creeps into both Anatomy and Physiology. Anatomy and Physiology go hand in hand. Chemistry goes into all of the three aforementioned classes. What I have noticed it seems Chemistry is where a good chunk of people have their "bad moment." If you are not great at the sciences, you definitely want to do Chemistry by itself. All of these classes require a good amount of memorization and understanding of different processes.
One thing I will warn you is, don't always think the "easy" classes will be a breeze. Although their subject matter might not be difficult like the sciences, some of these classes can take up a good chunk of your time, which might be time devoted to the important science ones. Choose the easy classes wisely!

Did you take statistics and if so did you find that course hard? You think I could get away with taking it with my English course or a humanities elective?

Did you find microbiology harder than your A&P classes or easier? Just wondering if I should take microbiology with a psych class or take that one solo too.

Im thinking about taking all 3 A&P and chem courses alone. This adds 1 year to my pre reqs. That way I have no other subjects to distract me and I could focus on getting a good grade. I can work longer giving me more healthcare experience points and have more money saved. I don’t plan on working in nursing school.

also so Chem seems to be the hardest? I will definitely take that alone without any other classes.

Thanks again for your input!

futureicunurse9 · Mar 10, 2019

I'm currently taking Microbiology and Anatomy & Physiology 2 together and have A's in both! I have an iPad that I use to take notes and find that it is really helpful to look at the powerpoint during lecture and solely write what my professor may be highlighting on the specific slide; I know that you can also do this on a computer in the speakers notes section, etc. After class, I rewrite the notes from the powerpoint and include the extra notes that I took as well. I find that looking at these notes a little bit every day is really helpful because when I go back to really study the week before exams/quizzes, I don't get super stressed about not knowing everything. Whiteboards have also been super helpful for me! I go into empty classrooms because I live on campus, but they are super cheap at the store too! I will go in and write everything that I know from major sections in my notes, and then I look over my notes and write the things that I might have forgotten about (obviously rewriting things helps me memorize stuff) but it is different for everyone! Look up youtube videos as well! If something is a little unclear to me, I tend to look up some youtube videos to clear it up. Armando Hasudungan has some amazing A&P videos, Crash course is a cute and condensed version, and then there's Khan Academy as well!

I though Chem was really easy, in my opinion micro has been the hardest just because it isn't as interesting to me; however, in a couple weeks we are starting diseases so that might change. Good luck, I will be praying that everything goes well for you! ?

docBB · Mar 10, 2019

I agree with futureicunurse9!

I did my prereqs at a school where each class was 2 months long, but just one class for that entire time (lecture and lab). It went anatomy and physiology 1, then 2 and then microbiology. We had the option to do stats online, and if you can get that, then I would 100% recommend doing the math class that way.

I also have an iPad, and paid for the "notability" app. It's a great way to incorporate drawings (with the apple pencil) into your notes, as well as color code and record lecture audio.

After taking notes from the book (which i did slack on toward the end) I would fill in the things the professor said that were not in the powerpoint slides into my book notes. At the end of class I would have the powerpoint slide notes and my textbook/filler notes. I would usually go back and read both and make a third set of really clean, concise notes that were shorter than both prior sets. It's really about repetition! After the book, filler and powerpoint, you've written important stuff 2-3 times and dont need to write as much for the final clean set. I would use that last set to read off of before exams.

I really feel for you raising your son, managing a marriage and working. You are incredible! These classes will really make or break the GPA you apply with, so if you can do them solo and just focus on one thing at a time (plus the million other things you have to do) that will help you with getting in the first time you apply... versus just getting by and having to reapply. I say this because I've seen student around me just rush through this part, and have to take classes over to boost their grades.

Also, going slowly and methodically over the coursework will really help when you have to take the TEAS or HESI (not sure which you'll need), because the material will be fresh and intentionally learned, rather than regurgitated for a test.

I truly wish you the best of luck. You're picking a wonderful profession, and already you seem like the type of person that wants to succeed and help others.

Delcon · Mar 10, 2019

13 hours ago, futureicunurse9 said:
I'm currently taking Microbiology and Anatomy & Physiology 2 together and have A's in both! I have an iPad that I use to take notes and find that it is really helpful to look at the powerpoint during lecture and solely write what my professor may be highlighting on the specific slide; I know that you can also do this on a computer in the speakers notes section, etc. After class, I rewrite the notes from the powerpoint and include the extra notes that I took as well. I find that looking at these notes a little bit every day is really helpful because when I go back to really study the week before exams/quizzes, I don't get super stressed about not knowing everything. Whiteboards have also been super helpful for me! I go into empty classrooms because I live on campus, but they are super cheap at the store too! I will go in and write everything that I know from major sections in my notes, and then I look over my notes and write the things that I might have forgotten about (obviously rewriting things helps me memorize stuff) but it is different for everyone! Look up youtube videos as well! If something is a little unclear to me, I tend to look up some youtube videos to clear it up. Armando Hasudungan has some amazing A&P videos, Crash course is a cute and condensed version, and then there's Khan Academy as well!
I though Chem was really easy, in my opinion micro has been the hardest just because it isn't as interesting to me; however, in a couple weeks we are starting diseases so that might change. Good luck, I will be praying that everything goes well for you! ?

Thank you for all this! You sound like a really good student. I actually own a whiteboard so I will definitely use it. Thank you for the resources I’m going to subscribe to Armando and the crash course on YouTube. I also like the idea of looking over the notes everyday. I think going over everything at least a little bit every day will definitely help out. Best of luck to you in your classes!

Delcon · Mar 10, 2019

12 hours ago, docBB said:
I agree with futureicunurse9!
I did my prereqs at a school where each class was 2 months long, but just one class for that entire time (lecture and lab). It went anatomy and physiology 1, then 2 and then microbiology. We had the option to do stats online, and if you can get that, then I would 100% recommend doing the math class that way.
I also have an iPad, and paid for the "notability" app. It's a great way to incorporate drawings (with the apple pencil) into your notes, as well as color code and record lecture audio.
After taking notes from the book (which i did slack on toward the end) I would fill in the things the professor said that were not in the powerpoint slides into my book notes. At the end of class I would have the powerpoint slide notes and my textbook/filler notes. I would usually go back and read both and make a third set of really clean, concise notes that were shorter than both prior sets. It's really about repetition! After the book, filler and powerpoint, you've written important stuff 2-3 times and dont need to write as much for the final clean set. I would use that last set to read off of before exams.
I really feel for you raising your son, managing a marriage and working. You are incredible! These classes will really make or break the GPA you apply with, so if you can do them solo and just focus on one thing at a time (plus the million other things you have to do) that will help you with getting in the first time you apply... versus just getting by and having to reapply. I say this because I've seen student around me just rush through this part, and have to take classes over to boost their grades.
Also, going slowly and methodically over the coursework will really help when you have to take the TEAS or HESI (not sure which you'll need), because the material will be fresh and intentionally learned, rather than regurgitated for a test.
I truly wish you the best of luck. You're picking a wonderful profession, and already you seem like the type of person that wants to succeed and help others.

Thank you! I will look into the notability app I have an IPad too. I was thinking about buying a little recorder to record all the lectures. Some people said that really helped. But if my iPad will do a good job of it maybe I don’t need to do that.

I bet your notes look beautiful! I like the idea of writing them out a few times and making a final set.

I have been out of school for awhile now so I definitely don’t want to rush through it. I get nervous when I see how many times people have to repeat the sciences in order to get a good enough grade to be accepted for the program. I’d rather add that extra year in now instead of having so many classes to repeat because my GPA isn’t competitive enough.

My kid is probably gonna be 8 by the time I graduate but it’s ok lol

rn1965, ADN · Mar 13, 2019

Man, I feel old. We did not have all the tech available today, when I went through college. I was a Mom and a wife, too, and did it a little at a time.

For me, I loved A&P and micro, but HATED chem. I got myself a free tutor, at the local community college for that course.

As for the notes, I would take them as we went, and if we had handouts from a powerpoint, or overheads, I would take notes on them. I also, as above poster mentioned, would re-write my notes, sometimes twice. It helped me retain the information.

One thing I will mention is that for me, and others in my program, those who had the best grades and did well in school, were those who were really there because they found healthcare and nursing so interesting. They knew what they wanted and went after it.

Good luck to you and I wish you the best!

Delcon · Mar 13, 2019

2 hours ago, rn1965 said:
Man, I feel old. We did not have all the tech available today, when I went through college. I was a Mom and a wife, too, and did it a little at a time.
For me, I loved A&P and micro, but HATED chem. I got myself a free tutor, at the local community college for that course.
As for the notes, I would take them as we went, and if we had handouts from a powerpoint, or overheads, I would take notes on them. I also, as above poster mentioned, would re-write my notes, sometimes twice. It helped me retain the information.
One thing I will mention is that for me, and others in my program, those who had the best grades and did well in school, were those who were really there because they found healthcare and nursing so interesting. They knew what they wanted and went after it.
Good luck to you and I wish you the best!

Thank you! I just talked to my financial aid office and they told me I won't qualify unless I take at least 6 credits every term. Some of the science courses are 5. Sigh. It looks like taking my science classes without any other classes will not be an option unless I have the cash to pay for them upfront.

That's good you did so well and enjoyed the classes! I feel like a&p will be really interesting but I'm terrified since I heard how hard it is and I have been out of school for so long. I need a really high grade to make it into a nursing program. Lots of pressure.

Thank you for the well wishes! I feel like I'm going to be living on a prayer for the rest of the time I'm in school lol

sunshineee · Mar 14, 2019

Just to give you a little background about me.. I have a non-science bachelor in political science. I took each science classes individually because I was working full time. I don't have any kids but had a lot on my plate (my husband is in the military). This is the breakdown of all the prerequisites and grades I got:

General Bio: A (I had to take this before being able to take A&P)
Human Anatomy: A
Human Physiology: A
Nutrition: A
Human Development: A
Statistics: A

I am still in the process of taking Microbiology and Gen Chemistry. It is possible to get good grades while caring for a baby or working full time. I had to take one every semester which put me back from applying to nursing school, but I think it is worth it because my grades were not affected at all by my lifestyle. I suggest not thinking so much about how long it will take to finish the prerequisites but to take your time because these are important classes and like others have said they are a foundation that you will build on once you are accepted into nursing school. I especially liked Human Anatomy. It was tough but I made it through it. My Anatomy teacher even told us that she failed the class the first time she took it and she still managed to get graduate degrees.

annabananaof8 · Mar 18, 2019

I'm normally a reader, but as I have gotten older, I'm finding I'm more visual than I used to be! Now I just make notes of what the professors says is important, and then I will go over the chapter summaries and hit the main points in my books and then YouTube for videos on the topics. I've gotten straight A's in my bachelor's degree and now all my pre-requisites. I feel you though worrying about it! ? I have 8 kiddos so it's a challenge but I think in some ways being a parent makes us focus a bit more than we did when we were younger.

nursingstudentwannabe, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2019

I would also suggest taking your science classes separate. A lot of students in my program were taking both A&P and micro simultaneously last semester, and they were struggling. Luckily, I took A&P credits before my program started, so I was able to get those out of the way before I took micro. I loved A&P!! It was so interesting, but it is on the tough side and there is a lot to learn.

Microbiology is harder, but I still did well on it, and I'm sure you will too! Take on science at a time, and it will all come together. Study-wise, I take notes in class and rewrite them when I get home, I review the Powerpoints, and make my own Quizlet flashcards. Another thing that you might do is say the information out loud: it helps to hear yourself articulate the material and aids in retaining it. ?

I'm taking stats right now, and honestly, it isn't so bad. Math is not my strong suit either, but so far, I'm doing pretty well. It's a more abstract math, which is why I think it tends to scare us (it certainly scared me before I started it).

Good luck! I hope everything goes well!