<p>First semester at college, placed out of introductory calculus based physics (both mechanics and e&m) via AP scores (how I got 5s on them is beyond me, I'm clearly a product of that generous curve). My engineering mechanics class isn't going so hot, I've been 10-20 points behind the average on both midterms, and my semester grade is somewhat set (70% of it is in the books). I've tried to convince myself that the teacher is horrible (which he kinda is), but then again other people are obviously doing better than me. I've thought about retaking the course, but I'm not very confident I'll do better. This class is a relatively foundational course for future courses in my major, and its important that I have a good grasp of the material which I don't think I do. Any advice? Thanks</p>
<p>Have you tried studying with the students who get the higher grades? Sometimes when I don't understand something a teacher says, I ask a student who seems to understand the topic and he/she explains in a more understandable way.</p>
<p>Also, do you think you would have done better if you did not use your AP credit and just took the intro classes in the college?</p>
<p>First of all, identify WHAT exactly is causing your problems in that class. Why do you struggle doing the work? What part don't you understand? Is there math/physics that is keeping you down? Was there a specific topic in the class you just bombed completely? </p>
<p>Next, you need to be truthful with yourself and your study habits. Have you been doing all you can to understand the material? Do you study 2 hours outside of class for every hour in class? I don't do that for most classes but when I struggle in a class I find myself nearing that mark. Have you spoken with the professor and other students? Have you tried to get tutoring? </p>
<p>If you are thinking about dropping, think about it carefully. If you really don't want to be doing this then get out now. If you really DO want to do this then don't let one poor class get you down. Retake it along with the next course on track.</p>
<p>I did exactly the same thing you did. Terrible mechanics prof, everyone else seemed to be doing okay, I felt like I was doing horribly. Couldn't understand his accent to boot; thought he was saying "rigid bunny rotation about a fixed point."</p>
<p>After feeling like a total idiot and getting advice from my incredibly understanding advisor, I dropped the course, took it the next semester with a couple of friends, and we resolved to sit together every Tuesday to do the problem sets and extra work until we understood the material. Mechanics was rough, but it was seriously just a huge mental block for me. Once I got past that and worked out a strategy for studying engineering, I was just fine. I did as well as anyone, and better than plenty, with all my other courses.</p>
<p>I keep a ceramic rabbit labelled "RIGID BUNNY" on my desk at work to remind me not to freak out when things get complicated.</p>
<p>"I keep a ceramic rabbit labelled "RIGID BUNNY" on my desk at work to remind me not to freak out when things get complicated."</p>
<p>DAMN that is actually such a good idea that I wish I had thought of it.</p>