Help?
So I know that a lot of you all have gone through Anatomy & Physiology, which I’m in right now. I’m doing okay-ish in it. I have an 82 in lab, and an 89 in lecture, making my total grade an 85. I’m really shooting for all A’s in my nursing curriculum (including prerequisites) so I won’t have a problem getting into a Master’s program later. I seem to be doing okay with big picture ideas (bones, muscles), but really struggling with little-picture ideas like histology.
For those of you who have already gone through it, or are doing it now, what study methods do you suggest? Are there any mnemonics that really helped you out? What was the easiest way for you to organize your notes and study materials? Honestly, any information you can give me will be helpful. While my lab professor is very knowledgeable, her teaching style doesn’t match my learning style, so I need suggestions on things I can do on my own.
Microbiology is actually going really well, and I’m kind of ashamed to admit that I secretly *love* it. I’ve enjoyed every single lab, including the really involved ones.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Also, who’s watching Trauma tonight? I’m approaching it with cautious optimism, but I not going to be surprised if I’m constantly yelling “oh come ON,” or “that’s unbelievable!”
Take care out there,
Sam
September 28, 2009 at 9:13 pm
I used the Barron’s Flashcards for the Anatomy portion, and my prof would publish his power point lectures on the class website, so it was easy to print them prior to lecture and take notes right on the sheet. It was a HUGE help for me, as he quizzed and tested from his lecture material.
September 28, 2009 at 9:54 pm
I’m in A&P I right now – the professor teaching it publishes his lecture notes ahead of time and we can download them (off of our Blackboard site), plus he goes over our lab material with us in pretty good detail. His first exam was mostly on his notes, but he expected you to read the text also. Kind of necessary for them to go together.
I haven’t taken Microbiology yet; so far, it looks like probably next semester along with A&P II. More to follow on that situation as it happens.
I posted a review of “Trauma” on my blog – not terribly favorable. Read it when you getr a minute.
September 29, 2009 at 10:41 am
I watched trauma last night. It was really over the top… I don’t think I’ll be watching it regularly *well, I have class at that hour anyways*.
September 29, 2009 at 11:37 am
I’m just about to start histology. Really looking forward to it but absolutely not looking forward to it…
September 29, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Sam,
Young 20-something college kids always amaze me when it comes to grades and future degree prospects…and here I am struggling with a subject called “Precalculus”. Why are you worrying about trying to get straight A’s to get into a Masters’ degree program? Don’t you love what you are learning in school? I personally can give no solutions to specific subjects, but I am sure that I can give some good long-term advice: Babygirl, there are no shortcuts in life. In life, you have to work. You have to work, because it is what you have to do. Colleges care about grades…life-long college professors care about what the student is learning, the professor who has had to get out into the real world and work 60 – 70 hour weeks for months at a time, he/she cares about how the student is learning the material. My hunch will be that you will get some A’s, mostly high B’s…and you will still get into your Masters’ degree program, because you have more life-changing experiences than many other students will EVER face…and you will stress yourself out over how to improve upon your 85 or 86 grade and in the process, you will forget the nuts and bolts of how to be the best that you can be as a future nurse or whatever. All because of grades.
Don’t stress over it Samantha. You are intelligent, have tons of common sense, have a great work ethic. It is something about you that I distantly am fond of. What is more important is understanding what you are learning…the grades will come with time. That is why semesters are usually 15 – 17 weeks long. Just keep on working…put in the man-hours, and you will be just find.
Sorry for the long rant…just thought that others who read this may find it helpful.
September 29, 2009 at 5:25 pm
You like Microbiology? NERD!!!!
Seriously though, good for you.
October 3, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Here’s what worked for me:
-Preparing for the Battle- preview the lesson the day before if you can (page numbers, hand outs, the chapter, etc.) This way you are not stumbling blindly during lecture, unfamiliar with the material.
-The Battle- STUDY the material RIGHT after the lecture, or that afternoon. Studies have shown that you retain less and less as the day goes on. If you put studying off for more than a day, class will essentially be worthless and time wasted.
-Recovering from the Battle- a day or so after the class (or during the weekend), look over what you learn. This way the repetition helps stuff stick, and you get more Ah ha! moment.s
-SQ3R- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQ3R This is for studying. It is pretty nifty.
Anyway, I pretty much spent all summer looking up tricks to help me make learning as smooth and efficient as possible. Let me know if the above works, or if you have problems in specific areas. Histology is kinda kicking me butt as well…
October 16, 2009 at 2:41 pm
It’s been about 7 years since I took A&P so I don’t really remember the teaching methods and all that. My most often used study method was cramming right before the test. lol I don’t think that will really help you! I wish you luck!
October 22, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Sam, just catching up a bit on your blog. I loved A&P but wish I could take it again as I’m sure I’ve forgotten a lot of the finer points. I made loads of flash cards when I took it which was great for bone and muscle mastery. Sometimes mnemonics worked, but really some things were so complicated that it wasn’t worth adding a memory trick on top of it.
Sorry I don’t have any sound advice for you other than to be vigilant and look things over often. A study group/partner could be helpful too. Get multiple perspectives on how to remember complex things.
Oh yeah, Trauma= hilarious and frustrating. I was yelling a lot while watching it!
January 1, 2010 at 3:19 am
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