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Wed 14 Jun, 2006 11:58 am
40 y.o. Prenursing student in a panic
Hello. I'm a newbie. And I'm freaking cuz I just don't get chemistry! I failed my first exam! I've never failed a college exam in my life! The instructor is an MD and he whips through the material as if he's giving a seminar to chemistry majors. That doesn't work for me. I got a tutor but I can't stay caught up with this instructor. Just progressing too quickly before I can get a handle on things like moles, balancing equations, conversions. I asked him for worksheets or old exams, etc. but he hasn't offered anything. He said he would meet with me but I just think he is the wrong teacher (and i used the term loosely) for ME. I've never had chemistry in my life! I'm a solid A/B student most of the time. Only C's I have were in A&P II (C+) and Algebra (C). Again, never taken a chemistry course before, ever. I walked out of my first lab in tears out of frustration.
Anyway, I feel like I will never understand this sh*t (sorry)! I feel so dumb and am thinking I'm just too stupid to pass this course. Any advice to a 40 y.o. F regarding this nightmare? I'm considering withdrawing/auditing and retaking the course with a different instructor in the Fall. I can't risk my 3.5 GPA by failing this course. It will kill me when I go to apply for the RN program (selection is based on a points system...the more points you have the more likely you'll get in. and a poor GPA won't cut it.)
Dont give up
I had the same problem as you i hate chem the first teacher i had sucked its amazing what a difference there is just by switching teachers my advice is withdrawl before its to late assk around for whose the best chem teacher you will be suprised.
Re: Dont give up
teena9248 wrote:I had the same problem as you i hate chem the first teacher i had sucked its amazing what a difference there is just by switching teachers my advice is withdrawl before its to late assk around for whose the best chem teacher you will be suprised.
I have a feeling that is going to be the best option for me at this point. It stinks cuz it will push back when I can apply to the program another semester. But I can't apply if I fail the course anyway, so why ruin my GPA?! Ugh. So frustrating. I've heard that there is one instructor that students prefer and that HELP them get through the course.
I knew full well this would be a challenging course, believe me. But it would be nice to have an instructor that wasn't in such a friggin hurry!
Re: Dont give up
I agree with Teena! My first chemistry teacher was so bad! The class started off with 37 students, and dropped to 12 in a couple of weeks! Since I was flunking all her quizzes, I dropped her class and went with a different instructor the next semester ( and got an A!!).
The previous instructor was not allowed to teach chemistry after that semester! A good instructor makes all the difference!
Good luck!!!
RNSomeDayIHope! wrote:teena9248 wrote:I had the same problem as you i hate chem the first teacher i had sucked its amazing what a difference there is just by switching teachers my advice is withdrawl before its to late assk around for whose the best chem teacher you will be suprised.
I have a feeling that is going to be the best option for me at this point. It stinks cuz it will push back when I can apply to the program another semester. But I can't apply if I fail the course anyway, so why ruin my GPA?! Ugh. So frustrating. I've heard that there is one instructor that students prefer and that HELP them get through the course.
I knew full well this would be a challenging course, believe me. But it would be nice to have an instructor that wasn't in such a friggin hurry!
my first chemistry class......i had to drop because i was getting an F.
so, when i repeated it, i took it online so i could use my visual learning skills to use. and i wont lie to you, i used all my notes, etc to pass. i was sweating bullets.
well, to get into the RN training program, i have to also pass a :
organic, general, and biological chemistry.
i took it, and i hung out to the end, hoping for the best. i actually studied and got a D.
so, i must repeat it again. you must have at least a C to enter RN training.
you are not alone, chemistry is not easy to pass.
the RN at the nursing home where i work told me that we dont even use alot of that chemistry stuff. i guess it is just good to know how some of the functions of the body work ...... chemically.
i am not looking forward to it but i will have to repeat that class. and will have to take it along side of 2 other classes as well.
so, i am going to enjoy my summer break and rest my brain cuz here in the fall........ i am gonna have to wrack this brain to pass the class.
if i can help you with anything, let me know. i dont know how much help i can give, but i am willing to try.
God bless
patty
My chemistry teacher was letting another student (a work-study student) grade our papers. Well, he kept grading mine wrong. I finally went to the instructor's office and showed my tests to him, that's when I found out the student didn't know what he was doing. The teacher himself flatly did not care. He chain-smoked and was always outside taking a smoke break. I ultimately had to re-take the class--you guessed it, same teacher again!! He gave me a C just to get rid of me, I think. The problem was that I was not mathematically prepared for the level of the class. That class was mostly advanced math stuff, very little actual chemistry. Good luck, dear.
I had the same problem and just withdrew from the class. I wound up with a great instructor and a greater lab partner. Amazingly, I passed with a B. Ask around. Ask the instructors themselves as well. Go on line and find chemistry sites that address problems we chemphobics have....
Good luck to you.
i got an ad going in my small town area paper advertising for a chem tutor. and i believe this may be a force to push me over the edge.
hey, i will try and try again until i get it. i hope to pass chem before i turn 50 anyways. (teasing) doesnt your brain go to mush after your 50?
well, i am 46 and so, i am hoping i still have enough brain cells to get thru it before that 50 mush time. lol.
antiques begin at 50. so, 50 is when you become the most valuable in your lifetime. God bless
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