Struggling with Anatomy and Physiology

amoLucia · Sep 20, 2020

You might want to change your screen name to something more anonymous. Someone from your school might recognize you and NOT be too happy about your post.

Ask mods for help.

FindingNovember · Sep 20, 2020

It might feel overwhelming but you CAN pass this class. This is more about figuring out your study style. ? What kind of learner are you? Most of us learn best when we write it out. Here are a couple ideas that might work for you:

Go to as many of the instructor's "office hours" as you can. Ask him/her for pointers on how best to study the content. Or go with specific questions. But go to the office hours and get help.
Buy a white board and lots of dry erase markers and draw pictures of the structures. Practice identifying the structures associated with the system. You can even do this with physiology. Teach it back to yourself.
Even if you have the lecture slides, re-write them so that they make sense to you.
Find a study partner. It really helps to work out ideas with another person even if you have to do it over the phone.
Is there an virtual learning center? Again, don't be shy about asking for help.
Put pictures of the structures in plastic sleeves and using a wet erase or dry erase marker practice identifying structures over and over and over again.
Most important. Stop pulling all nighters. Make sure you get some sleep before an exam. Believe it or not, our brain is dong a lot of heavy lifting for us when we sleep. You are actually giving your brain an opportunity to learn when you sleep. We need to sleep.

Hope this helps. You can pass this class one chapter at a time.

caliotter3 · Sep 20, 2020

If you are within the dates to take a W without it showing on your transcript, I would strongly consider withdrawing from the class. While you wait to enroll next term, study the material. You have the text, the syllabus. If this is all online, download copies before you disenroll from the course. Teach yourself the course for the next three months, at your own pace. Prepare. Make your notes, flashcards, study aids. Study.

Then reenroll, and address the material at the instructor's pace with the benefit of having studied the material beforehand.

The previous post gave good advice. I would add that my daughter, who got A's in her courses, swore by flashcard use. She took them everywhere. While sitting on the toilet you can study at least one flashcard! 3 x 5 and 4 x 6 cards are available, also get sets of those metal rings, and a hole puncher. Punch holes in the cards and put them on rings. Go nowhere without a ring of flashcards.

Good luck.

VetmedtoRN · Sep 21, 2020

On 9/20/2020 at 2:05 PM, caliotter3 said:

"If you are within the dates to take a W without it showing on your transcript, I would strongly consider withdrawing from the class."

Be very careful with withdrawing from courses, check your school's policy carefully and make sure that W will not count against you or show up on your transcript. Not every nursing program counts W's or science repeats against you when you apply so just take a look at the policies of the schools you actually want to go to. The program I just got into docks a certain amount of points off your app for each W or science repeated.

I second using the dry erase markers on a sheet protector, that's how I "quizzed" myself and I got an A in both Anatomy and Physiology. I also copied and pasted the chapter summaries into a word doc and made my own "fill in the blank" sheets, my Anatomy teacher really liked fill ins. Skim your chapter before your lecture, I used to jot down concepts that I was confused by ahead of time so I could focus on the things that I didn't understand. I also loved watching the A&P Crash Course and Sam Webster channels on Youtube!

Don't be too hard on yourself, the first test is always the worst! Take a moment and look over your test if you can, find the areas that kicked your butt and focus on those types of questions.

dalgo11, ADN, CNA, RN · Sep 23, 2020

Yes, when you withdraw from a science class it count as an attempt. Try using the "rate my professor" first to see what the other students are saying before taking that professor's class. Your sciences are weighted heavily on your GPA for the nursing program.

caliotter3 · Sep 24, 2020

When one withdraws before the final date to withdraw without a W showing on the transcript, the course does not show. That is the whole purpose of withdrawing before that magic date. Withdraw after that date and the W shows. Then you are penalized, if the program penalizes for W’s, as well as the school counting the attempt in the GPA.

taxestonursing · Mar 29, 2021

On 9/20/2020 at 12:45 AM, Cgreenz23 said:

It is my first semester of pre-nursing. It is an online class because of the pandemic. I have just taken a lab practical and a lecture exam this week and I got a D and an F on them. I've studied for hours and hours and even pulled all nighters just to study. My professor is giving us so much information at once and I just can't seem to process it in that short of a time before the tests. I really don't want to give up on nursing because it is what I want to do with my career but I don't know if I can even pass Anatomy and Physiology I. My professor doesn't teach and my school doesn't have good rescources to help with this. What should I do? Are there any better ways that I can study and understand the information?

I was wondering if you passed this course? If so what advice can you give? I too have a professor who is so intelligent that he thinks we all should be doctors tomorrow. He gives us so much work. each quiz is 55 to 100 questions while the lecture exams and the lab practicals are 150 to 225 questions. It is very intimidating. I had to drop the class. I will retake it in the fall. I just want to study as much as I can prior to retaking it. I have not taken a biology class in 20 years. I feel I can learn in smaller doses. But I know we have to have this class to enter into nursing. I waited until the last day to drop, almost, so that way I can have as much material as possible. I have one more chance to take this class and pass it. I need to be more prepared. I know I can do this. I also may take just this class by itself. I have asked for opinions but no response as of yet.

caliotter3 · Mar 30, 2021

OP was last on the site on March 18. Since they didn't update this thread, I would guess that they did not pass the class.

taxestonursing · Mar 30, 2021

11 hours ago, caliotter3 said:

OP was last on the site on March 18. Since they didn't update this thread, I would guess that they did not pass the class.

Thank you for letting me know. Do you have any advice to offer in regards to taking certain classes together?

FindingNovember · Apr 5, 2021

@taxestonursing I will say that I took A&P I by itself because I had heard it was such a difficult class. I also think taking Biology before A&P can be very helpful. My A&P I professor blew through cell division. I felt bad for everyone who was basically seeing it for the first time. Biology was really helpful for Microbiology as well. I only took a max of two classes at any time since I was working full time. Once I determined my comfort level with A&P I, I took a second class along with A&P II. I took Statistics which was challenging but not impossible. I would be careful about taking something like a psychology class though. I took a Life Span class with Chemistry (because I thought it would be an easy A) and that class nearly killed me because of all the writing we had to do.

The most important thing is to set yourself up to get the best grade you can in the class. Just take one course if you think that will help. Also, do one of those online tests to find out what your learning style is. I recently found out I'm a read-write learner. I wish you the very best of luck!