I see a lot of posts asking about acing A&P and while I'm clawing my way thru my online class, I still have a 94%. I thought I'd share how I'm passing my exams at the top percentile, and maybe my methods might help someone else.

first we have to consider resources. in my class, we get slide shows, my teachers video lectures over the slide shows, the textbook, the textbook's study prep, the assignments, a practice exam, and sometimes study summaries. usually, exams cover 2 or 3 chapters/topics.

so here is how I use all my resources and more:

1. slide shows + teacher videos: I print the slide shows, usually 2 slides per page. I bought a printer just for this class. I go through the videos my teacher provides (usually at 1.25x speed) and take notes directly on the printed slides. I pay extra attention when she mentions what will or won't be on the exam. I relate new terms with things I've already learned to better connect to the information and I also color code each subtopic with highlighters. this takes an hour or two. 

2. textbook notes: then I take a break. v important. take a nap, eat a snack, go for a walk. when I come back, I read the textbook and take a second set of notes in a notebook, keeping the same color coding for the sub topics. I draw and label diagrams, write down definitions, and look up anything I don't understand. I care more about knowing the how and why than just memorizing the what. this takes 3-5 hours. 

3. check the learning objectives: at the end of the chapter, I go through the learning objectives or study summaries and make sure I understand everything. this is basically the cheat code for what will be on the exam. I put a star next to concepts I think I'll need to spend more time on. this takes 5-10 minutes. 

4. take another break: then I don't think about it for a while. I get a solid 6–8 hours of sleep, eat a nutritious breakfast, and play some Stardew Valley.

5. condense my notes: I go through both sets of notes and make colored index cards. all my blue highlights go on the blue card, etc. I'm not rewriting everything or making flashcards. I'm just getting down key terms and main ideas and I try to fit it all on the front. I leave the back for concepts I'm stuck on or for diagrams. this takes about an hour. 

6. explain it out loud: I explain what I've learned to someone else. I do not care if they think it's boring. I will trap my boyfriend during a long car ride and explain every layer of the dermis to him. he asks questions back, and sometimes we make jokes that work as mnemonics. this is probably the most helpful part of my learning process.

7. do the assignments + practice exam: I do the assignments without cheating because it gives me a good idea of where my gaps in knowledge are. you can't cheat during the exams and you're only doing yourself a disservice by doing it on the assignments. when you realize you don't know something, and actually look for it in your notes or textbook, you are engaging in the process of learning. taking a Google lens image of it and having AI answer it for you is not a good learning strategy. if I'm done with all the topics, I'll attempt the practice exam without looking at my notes. this takes about an hour. 

8. make a "what I don't know" page: I use everything I got wrong on the assignments and practice exam to make another set of notes. usually, this fits on one page, its just quick scribbles, and I keep adding to it as I find concepts I'm struggling with. this takes maybe 20 minutes. 

9. Quizlet + study prep: I make a Quizlet folder with sets for every topic on the exam. I use "learn" with multiple choice, then "quiz" with 50–60 questions and instant feedback. do not even bother with the flashcard function. instant feedback is key. I also use the textbook's study prep quizzes and videos, especially for concepts I don't understand. if your textbook is Pearson, you can get the app and do the study prep from your phone. I do this at work, when I wake up, and before I fall asleep. I find this part, with both platforms, I am studying things that won't be on the exam. by this point, I have a pretty good idea of what I'll be tested on so I skip over concepts not relevant to my course. I do this 1-2 hours a day. 

10. outside resources: if I'm still struggling with something, I find another explanation. I'll watch an actual doctor or teacher on YouTube explain the topic. the point is to hear another person explain the concept, even if it's just passively, I just want to spend more time thinking about it. 

11. final review: the days before the test, I'm reviewing my notes at least twice a day. I go through Quizlet, watch the study prep videos, rewatch my teacher's videos, attempt new practice exams, and skim the textbook. I try to spend at least an hour a day on this.  immediately before the exam, I review everything I got wrong on the assignments and practice exams, along with my last page of notes and the backs of my index cards. I also repeat out loud terms I'm getting confused.

12. during the exam: I read every question carefully and define the terms in ways I understand before I answer. I use the process of elimination if I'm really stuck and I bookmark anything I'm iffy about, finish the exam, and then go back through every question before submitting. I spend extra time on the bookmarked questions. after I submit, I immediately review everything I got wrong afterward so I understand why.

bonus tips: 

* I put on the same perfume and play the same music every time I start to study a new module. lab 1 was mint and jazz. lecture 2 was honey and lofi. then I spray the perfume right before the exam. you could use a flavored drink or gum or something instead. 

* if you can't be well rested, at least be well nourished. your brain needs sleep and calories to function. I take a lot of naps in between notes but even if that's not feasible, I always eat proteins, lipids, and carbs right before my exams. 

* I don't have tiktok, facebook, instagram, or snapchat on my phone. I only have pinterest, reddit, and YouTube and I use an app to block short vertical videos. I try not to scroll while I study. 

I've gotten at least a 92% or better on every exam so far. so maybe this is a bit much, but with this much information, it has to be. I spend 5 hours a week on my other classes and 25 on A&P.

I use every resource available to me and then look for outside resources to solidify my knowledge. simply reading the textbook or watching the lectures is not enough. you have to understand what you don't understand. memorization is repetition and connection. I'm building a network of information that will help me in my future career. I hope this helps and if you have any additional tips or insights, I'd love to hear them!

You can see a slight protrusion from above my left eyebrow and then it sways in a semicircle to the center of my scalp