Getting an A in Anatomy and Physiology

[jackal head]

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I'm kinda freaking out over this class, I will be taking it in the fall and I personally know two people who didn't make it through, one got a B- the other dropped out (they both took it in the summer).

I'm currently taking Bio1510 which is just general biology and is cake. In the fall, along with A&P I'm taking gen chem, near eastern studies and a communication class (which I hear is easy but time consuming).

I plan to invest ALOT of time in A&P but I'm sure everyone does that, what are some things I could do to ensure I make it through with an A? My GPA is low right now and so I can't afford getting anything less than an A in all my classes.

Right now I just plan to study a month in advance on everything I can, but even that will only be a slight advantage if any. I also won't be working so I will have more time for this class.

 

[CCdarling]

I'm kinda freaking out over this class, I will be taking it in the fall and I personally know two people who didn't make it through, one got a B- the other dropped out (they both took it in the summer).

I'm currently taking Bio1510 which is just general biology and is cake. In the fall, along with A&P I'm taking gen chem, near eastern studies and a communication class (which I hear is easy but time consuming).

I plan to invest ALOT of time in A&P but I'm sure everyone does that, what are some things I could do to ensure I make it through with an A? My GPA is low right now and so I can't afford getting anything less than an A in all my classes.

Right now I just plan to study a month in advance on everything I can, but even that will only be a slight advantage if any. I also won't be working so I will have more time for this class.

I took anatomy and physio separately and received As in both. With anatomy, I pretty much studied two weeks in advanced. I think especially with that class, you have to give yourself ample time to memorize everything. For physio, I just studied two days before the test. I'm not sure of the pace of A&P combined, but I would imagine it's just like my anatomy class but with even more info. So like you say, just study well in advance, and even daily if you can (I know, easier said than done). GL.

 

[LuvCaramelFraps]

I took Antomy & Physiology together. It wasn't hard at all. I thought Anatomy was slightly boring, but it really helps with Physiology. Physiology is cake because it's all conceptual. I paid attention in both classes, spent a week studying for Anatomy and studied for Physiology the night before and got As in both classes. I suggest you utilize your Anatomy lab time wisely.

 

[DoctorRx1986]

I took Anatomy and Physiology together as a combined course. My recommendation to you for the physiological component of the course is to develop an overall conceptual understanding of the process or function a certain organ/system is trying to complete. Do not memorize physiology because it will be counterproductive and when it comes time to exams, you will feel stuck if you don't understand why something happens the way it does. You'll retain a lot more if you seek UNDERSTANDING in physiology. Of course, the entire course demands memorization; this is especially true in the anatomy component. There is no other way around than to memorize the names of bones, arteries, veins, muscles, etc... The good thing is that even with the memorization involved in the anatomical portion of the course, everything can make more sense if you realize that many of the arteries, veins, muscles, etc... are so named after the body part they run through.

One last thing. Don't worry too much about AP. Though the course is rich in information, there are other pre-pharmacy courses that are even more rigorous, depending on the instituition you take it in and the professor you have. Organic Chemistry may be one of these courses. Ideas in organic chemistry tend to be more abstract and not as concrete as this in AP. Therefore, you won't have such a difficult time with AP. I am pretty sure you'll probably study more for ochem when you get to it.

 

[twester]

Physiology and the orientation to the body that a fluency in anatomy provides are important in pharmacy school. I suggest approaching A&P as the absolutely fundamental course(s) they are.

Study everyday. Read the textbook. You're essentially learning a new language, so flashcards are helpful (A&P is the only class in which I found flashcards to be useful). Use drilling resources like the A&P Coloring Book and search for websites that let you label structures. I found drills to be helpful. Become adept at writing out physiological process in your own words (more drills). Spend extra time in lab as you are able to.

I was nervous about A&P before I took it, but it turned out to be my favorite undergrad class and it's the course that I call upon the most in pharmacy school.

 

[dovebar]

i'm taking anatomy and physiology I and II this summer. Each class is 5 weeks long. it's rigorous. my first exam is tomorrow i just spent all day at the library. recalling & recalling, writing things over, flashcards, the cd. i'm using all of this to study. it's kinda nice cuz this is the only thing other than pharmcas apps i have to focus on this summer. i can't wait to get tomorrow's test over with!

 

[Bowler11]

In my personal opinion I thought Anatomy and Physiology was my easiest biology that I have had at this point. Make sure you put the necessary time into the class, but it shouldn't be a huge problem. My biggest suggestion is to not fall behind. Good luck!

 

[UTPharm]

We took a class call "pathophysiology" mostly all physiology, with only very few slides of introductory anatomy. I found it extremly interesting and not very hard. BUT i think that is just because i loved understanding the pathways and how the body worked ( and because i understood it well i could reason through tough test questions even when i did not know the answer at all).

 

[pearbeary18]

My advice to you is to review the notes after every class. Try to memorize the facts, and understand the processes and concepts after every class. This is definitely not a cram-for-it kind of course as I'm sure you know. Read the book if you don't understand it. My prof suggested reading the chapter before it was covered in class, but it turns out he only took questions from his lecture notes. It also helps to talk about it with other students and try teach it to each other.

 

[Sparda29]

I took them as separate courses, I did great in Physiology(A-) compared to Anatomy(B-).

While I did well on the lecture exams in Anatomy, I can never memorize all the damn slides.

As for the bones...well, I have no trouble naming the bones if I am given a paper with a diagram of the human skeleton. But if you just toss a bone on the table and ask me to name it, I am clueless, especially if there is no word bank given.

The parts of the bones, even harder for me. I found identifying muscles and organs a hell of a lot easier than identifying bones.