Taking two anatomy classes at once

Boog'sCRRN246, RN · Jan 14, 2009

At my school, A&P I was a pre-req for A&P II. Meaning you couldn't take both at once. Not sure how it is at your school. IMO it's better for your GPA to take one at a time and get an excellent grade, then to take both at once and get so-so grades.

RhodyGirl, RN · Jan 14, 2009

I would not advise this. Take your time and really learn the information (just ONE A+P can be overwhelming). The material will come back to haunt you later on!

CharmedJ7 · Jan 14, 2009

It depends on your situation and the format of the classes. IMO, it's often helpful and easier to take multiple at once because it keeps more brain in the same field and a lot of the material crosses over and supports each other (for example, if the two classes are peripheral and visceral anatomy, even if you don't have to know how blood flow works until it gets to say, the shoulder, having the whole picture can make it easier to conceptualize). Same goes for other related fields, my easiest semester I took physiology, nutrition, microbiology, and biochemistry at the same time - sounded hard beforehand, but they were constantly reinforcing each other which made it much easier.

Of course, this is assuming that time isn't a major constraining factor. I definitely wouldn't be scared off though by the idea of two anatomy at once from an academic standpoint. I also wouldn't necessarily be scared if one is technically a pre-requisite for the other, with physiology and anatomy 1 and 2 there is little to no actual cross over, they're just looking at different systems (of course, check with your school if you do this).

Ms. Nurse Assistant, LPN · Jan 14, 2009

What about taking Biology and Micro at the same time?

It's just that I'm almost done with my pre reqs and I'm anxious to finish!

VenaKavaRN · Jan 14, 2009

Bio and Micro you might could do successfully. But not two A&P classes.

Still, it will be time consuming.

Quit trying to cut corners and just do the work. If you finish your pre-reqs a semester early but only have a 2.5GPA you won't have a good shot at getting into nursing school and you'll end up wasting more time than you would have if you'd taken your time and gotten good grades.

Roberta88 · Jan 14, 2009

I think as long as you are organized you will be able to do it. I cannot imagine, at least for myself, taking only one class a semester. I think that would bore me to no end, even though I also work full time. Since it is the same subject, I think that it would help reinforce each other. I'm taking antomy, microbiology, and medical terminology, and they are all reinforcing the other ones! I love it when that happens. I think it really helps you to ingest the information better, because if you have to study for a test for one class, you are pretty much helping yourself for the next test in the other class.

RedCell · Jan 14, 2009

Has anyone done this? I figured if I took two at once I can be done quicker instead of enrolling each semester just to take one class

Sure you can do this. I was actually what some would call a slacker in my early college years. Woke up one afternoon hungover and realized I wanted to graduate. Ended up taking A&P I, A&P II and Microbiology at the same time in order to apply to nursing school without having to wait an extra semester. I had to get permission from my "Akadimic advizor" first, but it worked out. Just remember that you have to study more and your Friday nights will probably not involve any keg stands.:beercuphe

Hazel11 · Jan 15, 2009

Two anatomy classes would be way too much for one semester. (One was enough, believe me.) I don't really know about Biology and Microbiology either, because Biology you are covering the more basic material compared to Microbiology. Either way, just know that you will have to work hard. :up:

RutterMama · Jan 15, 2009

I would be very careful putting these very in-depth classes in the same semester. You may have trouble concentrating on one or the other at a time. Just my opinion...

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jan 15, 2009

My a&p classes had nothing to do with each other so I tried taking them at the same time when I first started gen eds. I was an idiot and failed out of one and had to retake it. I could have done if I had actually tried but I didnt care. Its doable but its hard.

newbie08 · Jan 15, 2009

It depends on how in depth the instructor goes in to A&P. With the instructor I have now, I wouldn't even think about taking A&P I and II at the same time!! Way TMI to absorb at once!!My school doesn't offer it like that anyway. A&PI is a pre-req to A&PII. With the people that are going to a different college for their A&P that does offer them both at the same time, from what I understand it's almost like a high school course. I'm not sure how helpful it would be for nursing practice...

Good luck!! :nurse: