<p>HS son is taking AP Calc/Physics. He's ok with the Calc part but at the rate things are going he could end of failing the Physics part. We're trying to find a tutor for him because he's not connecting with the teacher. He's a 4.0 who's never really struggled with a class before.</p>
<p>Were any of you ever in this position? How did you get it turned around?</p>
<p>AP Physics if taught by a strict teacher SHOULD be the first class that your son has struggled with in high school. This is because physics makes you think unlike any other subject you are introduced to in high school. In physics unlike many other subjects in high school, you will not survive by memorizing formulas and expecting to use them on the fly on the tests. Physics takes time commitment to truly understand the concepts and theory behind what you are doing. I made an A in my high school AP Physics class, but it took a lot of hard work, and in the end I did not really understand the concepts that well thus feeling like I did not deserve the grade I got. I think it is good that I had to struggle through my AP Physics class. When I came to college, it made me work that much harder the second time around in my intro physics sequence. It made me more hungry to understand and learn. And thus I am now a Physics Major and love this subject to death. </p>
<p>So to answer your question, I have found that time is the only way to turn your abilities in physics around. I did not correct my lack of understanding until I matured as a student. A lot of this for me happened after my junior year of high school (after I took the class). Success in physics is also often determined by your abilities in math. In the first physics course (mechanics), calculus will not be of much help. I have found that most mistakes in my physics classes come in the algebra. </p>
<p>I would recommend that your son take advantage of the textbook if he is not getting it in class. I know I do not benefit much from lectures, but I learn much of what I know through textbooks. The textbook will be able to explain conceptual information as well as provide practice problems to work and reinforce understanding.</p>