The Best Tools to Help You Get an A in Anatomy and Physiology

Whether you are in high school or college, anatomy and physiology is a challenging course requiring tremendous memorization skills and a broad range of knowledge. Anatomy and physiology requires students to understand the body's structure and relationships between various body parts. Specific areas of physiology include gross anatomy, histology, cytology and neurophysiology. With so many terms, concepts and functions to memorize and comprehend, students of all levels should utilize multiple tools to help them get that A in this challenging course.

Singing has proven to be an effective way to memorize content. After all, you are more likely to remember the words to a great song you hear on the radio than a page from a book that you read. According to "Psychology Today," ordinary college students remember content better when two words in a ballad are linked by rhyming. There are a number of free online resources offering learning tools to help students in anatomy and physiology. AnatomyPhysiologyStudyGuide.com offers a number of songs students can download on a variety of topics, ranging from muscle function to cranial nerves. Songs like these will help you memorize key names and functions.

According to information on the Utah State University website, taking notes aids your ability to comprehend and retain information; important information recorded in notes has a 34 percent chance of being remembered while information left out of notes only has a five percent chance. Notes can be recorded and written down. Voice recorders cost an average of $35.00 and can record an entire lecture to be reviewed to supplement your class notes at any time. Lined index cards are great tools for taking written notes as they offer space for short, concise notes and can be filed according to subject.

Apps for smartphones and tablets provide excellent learning tools that can lead to getting an A in anatomy and physiology. "Anatomy and Physiology Revealed: Skeletal and Muscular" by Exprima Media is an app for teaching the skeletal and muscular components of the body. iTunes calls this app the "ultimate virtual cadaver dissection experience"; the price was $12.99 at the time of publication. Users can dissect the virtual cadaver with the swipe of a finger or by using specific tools in the slider menu. Another great app is "Blausen Anatomy and Physiology Supplement" by Blausen Medical Communications, Inc. This app is a little pricier at $29.99 at the time of publication, but it is an award-winning application that puts a medical reference library right in your pocket.

Your teacher could be your best learning tool for getting an A in anatomy and physiology. Students are reflections of their teachers, and all educators want their students to do well. Ask your teacher for an appointment and express your goal to get an A in class. Your teacher should be familiar with your current standing in the class and should therefore be able to advise you appropriately. Your teacher may be able to point you to other resources such as a tutor, additional reading materials or other resources to help you comprehend and absorb the information.