how did you study for A&P2?

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2011

Muscle physiology is a killer. The nervous system is challenging in it's own right so having both on one test is going to be difficult. How much studying have you put into this before now? The exam is tomorrow, and I can't imagine you'll get much out of cramming tonight if you haven't spent the last couple of weeks studying the material. It took me a week just to make the flashcards for the muscles and another couple of weeks to study and learn them.

If you have been studying, the only thing you should do tonight is quiz yourself or have someone quiz you out loud. Good luck!

meghan91 · Feb 23, 2011

she just told us about the test less than a week ago and i have been making study sheets and stuff which have taken up a ton of time so i have been reviewing the material while doing that and watching videos on all the stuff like the sliding filament theory and all that but it just seems like its not sticking or that im not gana get it for the test.. our teacher LOVES to re word things very complexly if that even makes sense where you need a lot of thought put into the answer and it isnt worded even close to how we have been learning it so im kinda nervous and being thats its our first test of the semester i really want to do good

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2011

First tests are always hard because you have no idea what they are going to throw at you! You've been studying the material so you should be good. I always feel like it's not sticking, ESPECIALLY with the muscle system, I was convinced nothing would make it 'click' and I ended up with a pretty convincing A when it was over so try not to stress too much. Reread all your notes and try and have someone quiz you (having someone ask direct questions helps me a LOT because if I don't know the answer I've actively had to think about it and of course the answer is right there in your notes- but it somehow sticks better to hear it out loud).. Good luck.. I'm sure you'll do great!

TheCareerStudent · Feb 23, 2011

I covered that stuff in A&P 1 and what I did to prepare was:

I bought the Kaplan Coloring Book and used the flashcards in the back for the muscles extensively.

I studied about 10 hours, not joking, for the final. 8 AM to 6 PM.

I ate a good dinner, went to bed early, got up early, and ate a nice breakfast.

I used my textbook website extensively and went over all the diagrams and post-tests.

I did not stress! Anxiety makes me screw up big time.

I did great in the class and got an A, so I must have done something right. I hope that helps and good luck!

NCRN2B · Feb 25, 2011

Wow, I took that last semester. Out of 56 people, only 17 of us passed, I got one of two A's. Here is the trick. You have to read the chapters before the lecture even begins. Make good notes, using a recording device really helps. Then you will want to go over and expand on your notes nightly. There is a ton of info to learn, and since you want to be a nurse, you don't want to simply cram, and forget it all later. By the time the test comes, you will know it well, and when we get into nursing school, we will be ready.

When it came to muscles and bones (which we had in A&P 1) I remembered them by physically touching where they are on my body. Now my professor looked at me kinda funny when I was moving my hand all over the place during my test, but I got an A, and thats what counts. I also did note cards, and printed off a bunch of practice diagrams to test myself with. Repetition seems to be key.

There is really nothing more to say, then be diligent in your studies. A&P 2 was the hardest class I have ever taken, and the nursing students in my class kept telling me that our A&P tests were ever harder than the tests they were taking in the program. Your grade will reflect your efforts in a class like this, put in the work and you will do just fine.