Suggestions/advice on succeeding in A&P class

[jamienora]

I just completed my first exam in A&P (lecture) and I did horrible. That is because our lab consists of tons of terms and knowledge of function and structure, which we have a quiz on every week. There is no multiple choice or word bank, so spelling must be correct as well. So, I invest the majority of my time in studying the 150-200 terms every week. The issue is that I am lacking in study time for the lecture portion of the class. Our only grades in the lecture portion of class are the three exams and one finale, so it's crucial that I do well on those. I do work 40-50 hours a week but spend every weekend and evenings (when I don't have class) studying. Now I am in a struggle trying to manage my time to be successful in both lab and lecture. I am so discouraged because I am feeling that my best just isn't good enough. I don't think I have every felt so disappointed.

Anyone have any suggestions or experiencing the same issue?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Have you talked to any of your classmates who are more successful to determine if there is anything you could change to achieve better results? Just based on the information you've provided, I would venture to say that your heavy work schedule may be at fault because you're so fatigued during your study hours.

Talk to your instructor and get his/her recommendations. Take advantage of tutoring &/or study groups if possible.

[nursing96student]

When you study for A&P, try to apply it to real world situations instead of just purely memorizing terms. That's what I ended up doing because I just felt like memorizing words was very overwhelming. Study groups really helped for me because its a way to see what kind of studying helps other students that could help you too. Good luck!

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

My tests are similar. It's all fill in the blank, no word banks, and spelling counts. We have spelling quizzes, lab drawings, and even song interpretations to complete. I try to study all key points at once. Like, I'll have a photo of the surface marking on the humerus. On the back I'll have the location of the surface marking, the name of the bone, the part of the skeleton it's located in, the definition of the root word for the surface marking (like foramen = hole) and of course the proper spelling. I tie it all in together, instead of just knowing one thing, I try to know everything I can.

[Josh-n-tn]

I find that for me, breaking it down into smaller regions helps alot with studying. For instance, if you are going over bones, memorize the bones of the head, quiz yourself over them. Get some diagrams and point to the different bones and say what they are and then check yourself. For body systems like cellular respiration, take a diagram again and point to a spot in the krebs cycle for instance and then teach yourself what happens at that step. Again, check your work against yourself. If you do this repeatedly you will master the material much faster

[bookgirl667]

I made it through A&P with very high As by recording the lectures and then listening to and transcribing them by hand later. It was the only way I could retain all the jam-packed info in the class. Plus I made up acronym mnemonics such as Don't Jump In to memorize the order of duodenum, jejunum, ileum, etc.

Buying the coloring books helped, too...I didn't have the time to color in most of the diagrams, but the explanations made for a nice, concise overview of concepts.

I also worked with a study group that met the morning before every class.

[ktweis, ASN]

I cannot believe you don't have a word bank and that spelling counts! That must be tough.. for your practical, do you have stations set up that have pictures/models/specimens? And do you only have 1 minute at each station? I'm curious how your practicals are set up if you have to write out everything!

[jamienora]

For the quizzes we are given a paper that is just numbered and attached to that are photocopied images. On images that a particular area is to be identified there will be a an arrow pointing to it. I had my first exam yesterday and there were stations set up. We were given a clip board and a sheet of paper that was numbered and we went station to station. There were specimens, bones and pictures set up at each station. He divided the class up to come in at different times, so it was a small group of us, and we weren't timed (thank goodness). This is truly the hardest class that I have ever taken!

[jamienora]

My tests are similar. It's all fill in the blank, no word banks, and spelling counts. We have spelling quizzes, lab drawings, and even song interpretations to complete. I try to study all key points at once. Like, I'll have a photo of the surface marking on the humerus. On the back I'll have the location of the surface marking, the name of the bone, the part of the skeleton it's located in, the definition of the root word for the surface marking (like foramen = hole) and of course the proper spelling. I tie it all in together, instead of just knowing one thing, I try to know everything I can.

Thank you soooo much for your advice! I tried this and is helping me a lot! Due to by location and work hours, study groups aren't an option for me. But I did as you suggested, and that has made it easier to study and learn everything. I photocopy the images with all the information on that back and I am able to take them everywhere so I am constantly pulling them out and studying. THANK YOU!!!!