Anatomy & Physiology | Distance Learning Systems (DLSI)

Why Are Gen Eds Required for My Degree and How Can I Save Time and Money Completing Them?

If you’ve never been to college, you may ask yourself that question. Most people would much rather focus on courses that relate specifically to their chosen field of study and their career choice. The reality is that colleges and universities require from 30% to 50% of coursework to be general electives (gen eds). I know when I was younger and began my degree in engineering, I was anxious to start my core classes, but I soon learned that those courses would begin in the fourth or fifth semester. Many students may question whether gen eds are a waste of time, but is that true? First of all, all university programs require gen ed courses, so you are working your way toward your final goal. Secondly, you will learn new subjects, and you may develop a new passion. Elective courses also allow you to explore topics that interest you.

Colleges and universities want “well-rounded” graduates, and gen eds provide a comprehensive education. They promote critical thinking across multiple subjects. General education is more than what it is often perceived to be. Fundamentally, the purpose of education is not to train a student for a specific job but equips them with the skills they need to live life (Walters & Bockorn, 2018).

Once I started my gen ed curriculum, it began to make sense. I was experiencing high-level learning and then saw the value of these courses. For those of you who may not have any experience with post-secondary education, and those with limited knowledge of this subject, here are some examples of general education courses by category:

English Language and Literature:

College Composition, Oral Communication

Arts and Humanities:

Arts, Music, Philosophy, Religion, Ethics, History

Social Sciences:

Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics

Natural Science:

Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology

Mathematics:

Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, Statistics

So, we understand that gen eds are required and why, but how can we expedite the completion of these courses and save money? I’ve found that most colleges and universities nationwide provide access to and accept virtually the same courses to satisfy this requirement. One very good and very affordable option for completing these courses in the shortest time possible and for the lowest cost is through Distance Learning Systems.

Here are some of the benefits of utilizing Distance Learning Systems to satisfy this requirement.

Distance Learning Systems provide a wide assortment of general education courses that satisfy most, if not all, general education requirements.
All courses provided by Distance Learning Systems are ACE (American Council on Education) recommended.
Distance Learning Systems has partnership agreements with over 30 of the nation’s finest universities. This guarantees the transferability of all courses completed with Distance Learning Systems into the degree-granting institution.
All courses are delivered 100% online 24/7.
Distance Learning Systems provide an accelerated path to over 450 online degree programs.
The cost of these courses is about 56% less expensive than the average cost of university tuition.
You have options when beginning a new program or returning to complete your degree. I absolutely see and appreciate the value of these general education courses, but my position has always been and will always be to maximize value and minimize time. Good luck!

Written By: Dave Christy

What I Wish I Would Have Known Before College

There is no step by step guide to survive school while pursuing a higher education degree. Many people describe college as some of the best years of their lives. However, higher education is a dramatic lifestyle change that can be hard to adapt to for many students. As a recent graduate reflecting on my college years, there are a few things I wish I had realized before I entered college. Here are a few things I wish I would’ve known, including stress, studying and money management.

In high school I was a three sport athlete, a member of the National Honor Society, the secretary for the student council and part of many other committees. I balanced these activities very well and loved every minute of it. However, the set schedule I was used to changed when I came to college. You are in charge of managing your schedule. No one is there to guide you along. This can be a major change of pace for many people. So my tip to you is to set a schedule. Sit down and plan out your week. Designate times to do assignments, tests and to study. Stick to your routine. Your grades will thank you.

If you had poor study habits in high school, it’s time to make a change. Students are often shocked by how much effort they must put into their classes. Even though students are often told how much time and effort they will have to put into their classes, they are typically stunned when they are actually expected to do it. If you’re really struggling, reach out to your advisor for helpful tips on how to manage your course work. They may also have resources available to you to make studying easier or more enjoyable! Don’t take on more than you can handle. Some students can handle four courses at a time while others may only be able to focus on one. Wherever you fall on this spectrum, that’s okay! Progress isn’t linear. Lastly, ask friends and loved ones what worked for them or look up studying tips online. If one method fails, don’t give up! Everyone is different, you just need to find your niche.

In all honesty, college was the most stressful time of my life. When my routine was no longer existent, I found that I had to discover new ways to manage stress and anxiety. It wasn’t until my junior year that I was able to find ways to manage that stress that worked for me. I found that what worked for me didn’t necessarily work for my friends. I had always been an extremely active person, so I naturally gravitated towards fitness to take my mind off of whatever I was stressed about. Going to the gym at the end of the day helped me relax and refocus. Other stress relievers can be painting, reading a book or even just watching a movie or tv for a little while. Find a healthy coping mechanism and make sure to incorporate it into your new routine.

Last but not least, money. Money can be a huge concern while earning your degree, and managing it can be difficult. My advice would be to set a budget or allowance for yourself. You can make it weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly. Factor in the cost of your loans, along with other expenses such as books and materials. When I made my budget, I also included money for food, extracurriculars along with how much money I would put into savings. I really stress putting money aside for savings. When my senior year rolled around, I was able to pay off my whole first semester with what money I had put aside which saved me the stress of paying more interest on my loan. Every bit counts, save what you can, when you can.

For many students, college is a whole new world and what comes along with it can be stressful and overwhelming. Finding what works for you during this time is extremely important. Sometimes, though, a little guidance can be helpful — take it from people who learned the hard way.

Categories of Anatomy in Nursing

The study of Anatomy & Physiology is an integral part in the field of nursing. The main concern of anatomy & physiology is the study of organisms and their parts, as well as their uses. It is a field in medicine where functions of specific organs are studied and dissected.

Anatomy, however, is sometimes divided into three categories, namely: Superficial, Comparative and Artistic. These categories comprise much of the study of anatomy, but we will have to examine these types in relation to the nursing course and see why anatomy or even physiology should have its place in the nursing profession.

Superficial or Surface Anatomy
This study in anatomy concerns itself with anatomical landmarks that can be seen from the exterior. By looking into certain contours on the body, a nurse can diagnose a patient better by determining what goes inside a person. Superficial is a directional term, meaning that structures located on the surface have its roots within a person’s body.

Comparative Anatomy
This is anatomy that seeks to compare patterns from two entities, the gross and the microscopic, to see if there are discrepancies or abnormalities in its anatomical structures. By comparing it, nurses will be able to assess the state of their patient through patterns. These then may have some similarities or differences between the two.

Artistic anatomu
As the term suggests, this is a category in anatomy that aims to put explanation on patterns based on artistic reasons. The intangible, so they say, can have deep and diverse effect on people. Placed on a nursing perspective, this type of anatomy enables nurses to go beyond the conventions of medical care through artistic means.

These are a few of the many categories that can be associated with anatomy & physiology; studies that can integrate, and at times put emphasis, in the field of nursing.

Psychology: An Important Subject In Nursing Courses

Psychology is the study of human brain processes and behavior. As a college subject, psychology is very interesting. Students learn lessons and principles that help them with the psychological characteristics of a human being. Psychology is an important subject in nursing courses. Many principles in psychology are useful in a nursing career. In fact, psychology is integrated in nursing major subjects like Psychiatric nursing. This particular major nursing subject develops the knowledge and skills needed by nurses in clinical psychology setting.

Nurses Need To Know About The Human Brain
The brain is a very important human organ. It’s responsible for many human function that keeps a person alive. The field of medicine covers all human organs. This includes the brain. The human brain is a complex organ to study. Psychology helps explains to nurses how the brain functions. The characteristics and processes of the brain are learned in psychology subjects.

Understanding Brain Processes Help Nurses Be Efficient In Their Profession
Nurses deal with people. Providing medical service to patients with different kinds of personality can be very challenging. Psychology allows nurses to understand the different kinds of personality people have. This grants nurses skills and capability to provide efficient medical servicing to various types of patients. Understanding a person’s behavior and personality is important especially to a career that involves interaction with other people.

Clinical Psychologist Need Nurses
The field of medicine has a branch dedicated to psychological and mental illnesses. Many psychiatric facilities employ medical professionals like nurses. Nurses play an important role in providing medical treatments to patients with psychological and mental disorders. Mental hospitals need nurses to help them manage patients with abnormal mental conditions. Psychiatrists rely on nurses to provide the basic medical needs of psychiatric patients. Basic medical needs like vital signs monitoring and medicine administration.

Three Important Nursing Subjects Students Should Know

Nursing subjects play important roles in molding students to become highly skilled nursing professionals in the future. These subjects are the foundation of important nursing principles required in the medical workforce. There are more than a dozen of nursing subjects in a nursing course. Each subject focuses on a specific set of principles in the field of nursing. The principles and information acquired in nursing subjects are useful in the everyday work of a professional nurse.

Here Are Three Important Nursing Subjects that a nursing student should earn in school.

Fundamentals of Nursing
This subject introduces a student nurse to the basic principles in nursing. The fundamentals of nursing is the first major subject that freshmen students need to take up. The topics in this subject include : The Profession of nursing (8 lessons), Asepsis & Infection Control (4 lessons) ,Understanding the Body’s Defenses in Nursing ( 3 lessons), Understanding Rest And Sleep for Nurses ( 4 lessons), Understanding Pain & Pain Management for Nurses ( 5 lessons) and Understanding Nutrition for Nurses (2 lessons).

Fundamental Nursing Skills
This particular major subject develops the nursing skills expected from a nursing professional. Fundamental Nursing Skills I is usually offered to 1^st year students during 2nd semester. While Fundamental nursing skills II and III are offered during the 1^st semester of the second year. Lessons learned in these subjects include breathing, Mobilization, Personal cleansing and dressing, Maintaining a safe environment and many other lessons focusing on nursing procedures and techniques.

Nursing Management
Nursing Management is offered for 3^rd year students during the 1^st semester. And Nursing Management I and II are both offered during the first semester of the last year. The lessons tackled in these subjects develop a nurse’s ability for decision-making and leadership within the nursing employed organization. Nurses’ management skills like organizing, planning, staffing, controlling and directing are harnessed thru these subjects.

Tips for Students on Studying Anatomy & Physiology

Students probably have the basic understanding and knowledge of how the human body works like the senses, movements and needs. But unfortunately, they are having a hard time understanding the deeper side of anatomy and physiology.

In this article, we will talk about the five effective tips for students on studying anatomy and physiology. But, before anything else, let’s try to know first the definition of anatomy and physiology.

What is anatomy and physiology?
According to experts, anatomy is the study of the structure and relationship of all parts of the body while physiology is the study of functions of the body parts and as a whole such as neurophysiology, histology, gross anatomy, and cytology. The definition itself will make your mind go round. In order to simplify things, the following will help you learn anatomy and physiology in the easiest way.

Study by body parts
According to Wikipedia, “The human body consists of many interacting systems. Each system contributes to the maintenance of homeostasis, of itself, other systems, and the entire body.” In order to fully understand the structures and functions of the human body, study by parts, focus on one system at a time.

Pay attention to visual presentations and image
Visual presentations and images will help you remember important details. If you are having a hard time learning the human anatomy, it is best that you pay more attention to diagrams, images of the anatomy and review it all over again until you can memorize the material.

Use Mnemonics
Mnemonics are the most effective and useful learning technique which aims to recall longer phrases in an easy way. Studying the names, functions and locations of anatomy is not easy. Creating simple and joyful mnemonics will help you understand anatomy and physiology like it is the easiest science subject on earth.

Group Study
Students learn more efficiently when studying in groups. If you study anatomy and physiology alone, chances are, you will likely close your book and sleep. To understand the subject well, talk with your friends and arrange for a group study. Discussing recent lectures with your friends will help you overcome fear and anxiety about the subject.

Lastly, motivate yourself; tell yourself that anatomy and physiology is an easy subject. Also, you will enjoy studying the anatomy and physiology of the human body by following these tips.

Memorization Guidelines: Anatomy & Physiology

We all know the basic parts of our body, but we are not yet familiar to the internal parts of our system. There is no easy way to study the mind-blowing anatomy and physiology subject. This is a subject that will flood your brain with significant information. It also requires familiarization of every detail of the important parts of the body.There are some great ideas and techniques that can make your anatomy & physiology learning process easier.

There are some great ideas and techniques that can make your anatomy & physiology learning process easier. The first and basic way to familiarize the anatomy and physiology is to divide the concepts. Read and understand each vital system separately:

Nervous system
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Endocrine System
Urinary system
Reproductive system
Musculoskeletal system
Integumentary system

The second way to understand the anatomy & physiology is by using simple images. According to study, Images frequently have all useful information when it comes to anatomy. If you find it hard to recall all of the body parts, review the images instead of reading it. These pictures makes the subject much more understandable.

Making of own or medical approved mnemonics, acronyms and abbreviation can be helpful too. It will allow you to memorize the concepts easily. Sample Mnemonics, acronyms:

“Please Don’t Call The Angry Groom So Leave”: or PDCTAGSL:

Pampiniform plexus
Ductus deferens
Cremasteric artery
Testicular artery
Artery of the ductus deferens
Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve
Sympathetic nerve fibers
Lymphatic vessels

Anatomy & Physiology Textbooks

Usually, nursing students study anatomy & physiology books in the first year. Though they study the books, understanding structure of the human body is quite tough for them. They rely on lessons of their instructors. After passing the first year, they do not need to study anatomy and physiology books for their educational programs. As a result, they forget the requirements very easily. But these textbooks are very good resources of information. If they regularly try to study these books, it will be easier for them to use the knowledge. These days, career of nursing is very essential for humankind. Nurses are the assistants of physicians. Sometimes they have to do a lot of essential tasks. Consequently, they need to know about anatomy and physiology. This textbook is the primary foundation of their nursing education.

Maybe you are starting college and you want to buy some books immediately? But, like most of the learners, you are on a limited price range. So, how do you go about purchasing the necessary books within your budget? There are a lot of choices available out there. So, one has to be skeptical about the offers that are made to him, while looking for inexpensive copies of textbooks like Anatomy and Physiology 9th edition and Microbiology 11th Edition, you need to consider a few things.

Anatomy of the human body and physiology is not that easy to understand. One would really have to understand each body organ and learn to discover how one can considerably impact the other organs’ features. Several techniques are made in educating the said topics. Traditionally, a teacher-students’ conversation in a class room setting will be noticed. These days, most learning organizations have also been starting to implement a lab where preserved parts of one’s human body or body parts may be found. This is one excellent way for learners to better appreciate the course. Movie or animation demonstrations will also be a great resource, aside from textbooks.

Anatomy & Physiology in the Virtual World

Virtual educational institutions are not home schools (although home-schoolers can and do participate); they are online learning educational institutions run by the public school system, following state program specifications and accomplishment specifications. Training is web-based and given by qualified instructors. Learners complete projects at house on their computer.

We modify technology to fulfill our needs. Teaching in the exclusive class room has had its difficulties. The application has to have programs that provide sound, as well as movie elements. The technological innovation needed many economical improvements for the school districts. The class room classes almost have to be choreographed. The first teachers teaching this way during their first year used the “trial and error” technique. They had no one else’s experience to draw from. But, they were successful.

A common day for Anatomy & Physiology class usually starts at around 8:00 AM PST. This interval allows learners to take the class without disrupting their plans for the day. Some of these learners take the class from home. High school learners get college credits. Communication in this class is both synchronous and asynchronous. In the virtual class room, teachers connect with theirs learners vocally as well as with written text chat. They can share to the class, too. They can have team conversations that will allow several to share and do demonstrations. With the synchronous web browser, they are able to take the class to any web page that helps the Anatomy & Physiology class. This also allows the class to easily analyze new healthcare developments that are found. Consequently, they are able to make this new information their own.

A power board, which is a virtual blackboard, is beneficial with the physiology part of the course. Teachers can give the floor to the learners and they can take the class to a web page that they feel describes the subject they are studying. In other words, the technological innovation keeps the learners involved during the whole class.

Anatomy & Physiology Study Tips

1) Study your course curriculum properly. Keep a duplicate of it handy throughout the term. There is a lot of essential info there that will make much more sense to you as the course continues, information that you will not keep in mind if you do not keep it handy.

2) Gather up your courage and talk to your trainer. Do it early in the term well before your first midterm examination. Knowing your instructor’s educating technique and what factors of the topic he/she feels are most essential will provide you with a jump start on getting a good grade in Anatomy & Physiology.

3) After the first or second class in your course, show your class notes to your teacher. Ask if you have written down the significant things. If not, ask your trainer for help in determining how to take better notes. Pay attention properly to what you are taught, even if you do not agree with it. Repeat back to your professor what you think you heard to validate that you got it properly.

4) Do not let what you think you know about anatomy & physiology get in the way of the ideas your teacher is teaching. Living in a connected modern world, you already have information your brain about anatomy & physiology. Some of it may be very precise information. Some of it may have given you incorrect opinions. Consider what you think you already know and cross check your information with your books, not Search engines. You will be tested for information as it is provided in your anatomy and physiology textbooks.

5) The first thing to do is to focus upon the words that explain alignment and orientation in space of parts of the body. Be particularly cautious not to mix up left and right. Our use of computer programs has taught us some habits. We left and right justify material on the display screen without thinking much about it, the reference always being our own left and right side. However, in anatomy, you need to always think in terms of the specimen’s left and right part.