Yes or no? Do you think it had to do with your professor or the work/ studying that you put into the class?
Also, how did you manage University Physics? (tutoring, professor help, lots of studying, or was it a breeze for you?)
I took IB physics and self studied for the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam. I actually think it prepared me pretty well, if we’re just talking about the general physics classes. The former gave me breadth and conceptual understanding, and the latter acquainted me to calculus-applied physics problems. Of course the university classes went into more detail, but 70% of it was a rehashing, which eased my transition. The only parts that were substantially different were the labs, but those were essentially a matter of patience and attention to detail. I probably benefited, firstly, from going to a pretty good high school, and secondly, from having done physics study in my own time due to self interest.
I don’t think I handled university physics the smart way - I AP’d out of the first of three classes, and sort of slept/procrastinated/skipped my way through the next two, so I didn’t get the grades I wanted. My high school background is probably the only reason why I passed them instead of flunking outright. The smart way to do things is probably to:
- Hunt for better rated or just easier professors.
- Make sure you understand the concepts and memorize the formulas you won't be given, but then focus a lot of your time on doing lots of practice problems.
- Get on your professors' and TA's good sides without looking like a suck up.
- Get previous exams and answer keys.
- Don't cram.
- Simulate test environments.
This mainly applies up to decently rigorous programs; no idea if it would work with, say, Caltech.
High school physics helps by giving you exposure to the basic ideas before you have to work with them more rigorously in university physics. In terms of doing well, it is the usual formula for doing well in any college course:
- Read the books.
- Go to class.
- Do the assignments and projects (start early).
- Prepare for the exams (start early so that you do not have to cram).
^^ Thank you both of you very much!!!
@rasofia, please don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re worrying too much about this. It’s your senior year. You know where you’ll be going and what you’ll be studying. Don’t miss out on the joys of your senior year. Enjoy being queen of the hill, because before you know it, it’ll be over. Over the summer hang with your friends, relax, lay low. Just set aside a little time each day to start physics from the beginning on Kahn Academy and rebuild your foundation. Start fresh and confident next year. You’ll be fine if you can push the anxiety to the side, knowing you have a plan. Go grab this magical time. It’ll never happen again.