<p>My first exam I got a 46 and now the professor says that for the midterm grade he is going to add up the 1st exam and the lab report grade (D). He says we have 2 exams left one next Thursday and the Final. I already got 2 strikes if I get one more I will have to drop the class and probably pay $400 for financial aid since currently I am full-time.</p>
<p>I don't know what to do there is something about physics that keeps me from completing any major. The professor is going to throw that final curve ball on a 3-2 count and I am going for a full swing no matter what if I can't hit it I'll have to switch to Computer Information Systems currently doing Electronic Engineering Technology.</p>
<p>Any Advice if there is anyone out there to hit a home run on this next exam? Thanks</p>
<p>then ask the professor for the name of a student that has done well in the past, or ask the dept head for a reference. Do you have grad students you might be able to beg for help? </p>
<p>Don’t stop until you find someone to help you. See if there is an off campus tutor service that can help. Heck, find an online tutor service if you have to. Obviously, you need the help. I am not being mean, I couldn’t do it. But if I had to, I would need LOTS of help. You sound smart, I am sure that this subject has just not clicked for you. </p>
<p>Also, go to MIT’s open courseware. There are a number of physics lectures on there, maybe that will help reinforce what you need to do better. A very well known physics prof has his “famous” lecture on there. No idea what the lecture is about, but it has been talked about before.
[Free</a> Online Course Materials | Courses | MIT OpenCourseWare](<a href=“Search | MIT OpenCourseWare | Free Online Course Materials”>Search | MIT OpenCourseWare | Free Online Course Materials)</p>
<p>lots of other good topics if you ever need them too!</p>
<p>How are you even studying? Physics is one of those thing where you really have to understand the concept, not memorializing equations or ideas. You really have to grasp the principles. </p>
<p>Maybe you need to take a look at more practice problems to get it into your head?</p>
<p>Honestly, this might be a sign you’re not cut out to be an engineer. There’s nothing wrong with that. Everyone is good at different things. You’re not good at physics. It’s okay. The engineering curriculum after physics is MUCH harder and more consuming. Physics is a “weed-out” class for that reason; the professors aren’t trying to be evil, they’re trying to save you grief down the road. In ChemE, we don’t necessarily use the physics material excessively, but the material we use is similar but more complex than a freshman physics class.</p>
<p>Advice to pass: Watch Khan Academy videos. They are short, and you can have a full understanding of the material within ~8 hours of video time. Do EVERY practice problem you can. Pay that kid in the front with an A to tutor you. There’s no shame. He/she will likely be glad to get $$ doing what they enjoy. Also, after you read through this and the above comments, DO NOT get on the computer for pleasure. Spend all of your time doing physics, only stopping short of selling your soul. If you must break, take a walk.</p>
<p>I didn’t mean to be discouraging above, but I would think seriously about why you want to be an engineer. I know many people who breezed through physics and are struggling with upper-level stuff.</p>
<p>Edit: Here’s a link to Khan Academy. <a href=“http://www.khanacademy.org/[/url]”>http://www.khanacademy.org/</a>
I saw MIT OCW suggested above, and while it is a great resource, I think you might be overwhelmed with information. It’s taught at a level for MIT students, not the general public like Khan Academy is. Khan Ac. is also much shorter, concise, and conceptual.</p>
<p>It sounds to me like engineering isn’t for you. Physics is a base level science course, and a lot of your future classes will assume you are comfortable with it. If you can’t even pass that (and we’re not talking about a lot of the whining that goes on at CC, like ‘OMG I GOT A B MY LIFE IS OVER,’ but serious failing with a big D or F), then save yourself the pain, check your ego, and find another major.</p>
<p>But yeah, if you want to make a serious Waterloo sort of effort, Khan academy/tutoring/studying all do wonderful things. Especially studying. Try that. Exam tomorrow? 10 hours in the library today. Homework due next week? Start working on it now. That sort of thing got me where I am today, and I’m really not that smart. I swear it works.</p>
<p>Elite2291: Stop wasting your time. How can you go on failing the
core ingredients of math and science in physics and engineering -
and furthermore compete in real world with certified engineers.
Choose subject matter you can complete satisfactory. You still do
not understand the message given to you by the 4 failures - get out.</p>
<p>I do have to agree with the general message so far. I find it extremely improbable for someone to have attempted physics four times and still not gone through. First you should pinpoint the problem and talk to your professor and/or your adviser. Unless you can fix the problem, whether it is mathematical, intuitive, habitual, etc…, it’s not worth spending more money on the pursuit.</p>