Straight A's in Science prereqs?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I really want to make straight A's in all of my science prereqs. Has anyone made straight A's in all of the science prereqs? And if so, how much studying did it take?

Specializes in PICU.

That is a terrific goal (Straight A's) which is entirely do-able. There will be sacrifice involved however. Not in a bad way, but in giving up some of the things you may now enjoy daily.

I earned straight A's through all pre-requisites - you can too! You must understand the material - study for knowledge not for grades. Find a technique to boost your confidence and employ it always, everywhere you go.

Most importantly start a study group with your fellow students. YOU must be the leader (don't smother anyone) and in being the leader you will need to learn the material well enough to help your colleagues better understand the subject. Try it, you will see quick improvement in your knowledge base. As you help your friends understand the subject you will be reinforcing that same material in your mind.

Talk about the concepts regularly with your study group, listen to their viewpoint on the subject it may help you to understand a concept a little more clearly. In A & P study the color plates in your text know what each part shown does - describe it in your own words to your fellow study partners. Have them describe it back to you in their own words. For your exams get that color image from the text in your head and describe it on the exam as needed. I find it much easier to conjure a color image in my head and then describe it in words (in answer to specific exam questions) than to regurgitate memorized text.

With these few bits of advice you are on your way.

It worked well for me and I truly believe it will work well for you.

YOU can do it!

Thank u so much for your advice! I think your method would work best for me. Great point when u said that I must study for knowledge not grades. That's exactly the way I think also. I want to learn the material, not just memorize... I want to know it. I love learning new things, it does get overwhelming sometimes, but I love the knowledge it brings.

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Specializes in PICU.
So far I gotten Bs in my pre reqs which I'm ok with... Science has never been my strong point so I'm satisfied!!! I would say give it the same 2-3 hrs per day and work on quizzing yourself... Also make sure too ask lots of questions regarding things you don't understand!!!![/quote']

The program that I am applying to is extremely competitive, I can only make one B in my science prereqs. I need to make Straight A's in microbiology and in a&p 1&2. I'm already 35 with 3 kids and I don't have time to waste :)

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

Yes, it's possible to do so. I've got a 4.0 in my science pre-reqs. But it took a LOT of work & devotion to study time. I highly recommend buying a planner and color coding with your homework, quizzes & test dates. In the spaces in between, schedule your study time. It really helps you to stay on top of your work and be prepared for class.

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Specializes in Aesthetics, Med/Surg, Outpatient.

I made straight A's as a FT student throughtout my AS degree and only had 2 B's as I prepped for the Nursing program. I'd read the chapter summary ahead of class and that was it. I also worked from 2p-1a sometimes and when I didnt work, I was playing Sims 2: University (go figure)

I was advised to retake Human Physiology with no labs and got a B+ last year but didnt crack the book because I was now more "into" my hospital job and had to be FT for both. I had more riding on my plate at the University and really hated the whole 150+ students in a class... either way, Im not much of a study person.

So far I've held the same strategy but will probably start "studying" when I get to Pharm; maybe not Patho since I've done it before as a BIO so it didnt transfer as its a NUR course at my University.

But to each his own; if you can grasp the knowledge then you dont need strenuous hours but if you just cant comprehend it, you'll have to dedicate the time to make sure you are on track and understanding the information.

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Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

I got straight As in my pre-reqs. I'm not sure how much I studied. Certainly NOT hours per day. However, I did stay organized and on top of the game. That is to say, I made sure not to fall behind. I determined what I needed to know, figured out a plan on how to know it by test time and followed a schedule to meet that goal. I NEVER studied straight through for hours at a time on ANY day. Some days I'm sure it was only a half hour to an hour. But I was consistent and organized. The most time consuming part was making up test questions, using lecture notes, for myself to study (like note cards, but I didn't use note cards). Good luck to you. You can do it!

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I just started my science prereqs, so I can only comment on what I have done so far. I really think it depends on the level of knowledge your professor expects for each exam and on how you learn. For me, with no real science background, I have to read through the textbook and understand what is going on to retain the info. I am taking online courses which are accelerated, so there is no lecture. My biology teacher actually expects us to understand the material which I think is hard but good. It isn't like high school science where you can just memorize terms and follow a test review and pass. It is super important, in my opinion, to devote the time to truly understand the sciences because not only will each science build on each other and many of the same concepts will be introduced in each class, understanding will help you do well on nursing entrance exams without cramming.

My goal is to learn for the long term, NOT short term to pass an exam. So, I read all the required textbook material to understand it, then I review any videos that I can which review the information - for instance in my cell and molecular biology class, I am using the Masteringbiology online tools to study and watch some animations of the process - this really helps me - a visual an auditory learner. If I don't understand something, I reread it. For instance, for cellular respiration and photosynthesis, I had to read each chapter twice because these two concepts were challenging for me. Then I looked over my class notes. Finally, to review for the exam, I reread the class notes. This does take hours of time, however I don't have hours of classroom time each week.

For me, understanding science is how I retain the info and make A's - so far. I cannot just memorize for a test. This is only my first class though - so I hope that I can maintain an A average in all my classes with this method...

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I haven't finished Chem and Micro yet but I have A's in both A&P 1 and 2. My best advice is to stay ahead in class. Read the chapter before lecture, don't procrastinate on studying for a test, and consistently study throughout each unit - don't save it all for before the test! Most of all, ask questions!!! If you don't understand something ask your instructor! Good luck!

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Specializes in PICU.
I just started my science prereqs, so I can only comment on what I have done so far. I really think it depends on the level of knowledge your professor expects for each exam and on how you learn. For me, with no real science background, I have to read through the textbook and understand what is going on to retain the info. I am taking online courses which are accelerated, so there is no lecture. My biology teacher actually expects us to understand the material which I think is hard but good. It isn't like high school science where you can just memorize terms and follow a test review and pass. It is super important, in my opinion, to devote the time to truly understand the sciences because not only will each science build on each other and many of the same concepts will be introduced in each class, understanding will help you do well on nursing entrance exams without cramming.

My goal is to learn for the long term, NOT short term to pass an exam. So, I read all the required textbook material to understand it, then I review any videos that I can which review the information - for instance in my cell and molecular biology class, I am using the Masteringbiology online tools to study and watch some animations of the process - this really helps me - a visual an auditory learner. If I don't understand something, I reread it. For instance, for cellular respiration and photosynthesis, I had to read each chapter twice because these two concepts were challenging for me. Then I looked over my class notes. Finally, to review for the exam, I reread the class notes. This does take hours of time, however I don't have hours of classroom time each week.

For me, understanding science is how I retain the info and make A's - so far. I cannot just memorize for a test. This is only my first class though - so I hope that I can maintain an A average in all my classes with this method...

Your method sounds like a great method, I'm sure you will do well :)

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I just realized I have all A's in my science pre-reqs thus far. Can I pull off A's in Micro and A&P I that I'm taking together now. Stay tuned! Haha

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
I haven't finished Chem and Micro yet but I have A's in both A&P 1 and 2. My best advice is to stay ahead in class. Read the chapter before lecture don't procrastinate on studying for a test, and consistently study throughout each unit - don't save it all for before the test! Most of all, ask questions!!! If you don't understand something ask your instructor! Good luck![/quote']

^ This. I have straight A's in all my sciences thus far, and this is your best plan of attack.

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I got a 4.0 in all of my prereqs and it took many hours of long nights and early mornings studying. I have two small children so I made sure that I used my time wisely after they went to bed at night. I would outline what I needed to study and gave myself small goals. One thing that I can say for sure is that you DO NOT want to fall behind. The material in the prereq courses is not difficult, there is just a lot of it. Make sure that you take good notes so that it is easier to study and make flash cards that you can bring around with you. There are some great videos on youtube that go over the most effective studying techniques. You can do it! Good luck. :) One way that I knew if I really understood the material was to explain whatever I was learning to my husband. If I could explain it to him so that he would understand it too, then I knew that I understood the depth of it, not just the breadth.

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Hard work & dedication will get u all A's

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