<p>hey yall!! ill be starting as a freshman this fall and im planning to take physics 2...im just curious, what does it take to get a decent grade in this class (really aiming for an A)...like how much studying daily and hw? ive heard a lot of grueling things about this class especially about the tests, so i want peoples perspectives...like can i still have a life while taking this class? i will be taking calc 2, english 1, and hps 1040 with it... thanks!</p>
<p>I took that first semester freshman year. If you do not have Morley or someone good for calc 2, be prepared to die. I had Geronimo. I got an A in physics 2. Till this day, it is still the hardest class I have taken at Georgia Tech(but I have only done 3 semesters). Unless you are in the top 5% of the class, you will struggle to do well on tests. I studied two weeks for some of the tests, did all the homework, extra homework, and went to office hours and still made in the 70s on tests.</p>
<p>The absolute key to doing well in Physics II, is practice. Do all the assigned homework and DO WEBASSIGN. I don’t mean do it, I mean DO IT. Use it as a opportunity to learn the material. It is a very good tool for testing your knowledge. READ THE BOOKS BEFORE CLASS. The actual lecture should be review for what you learned the previous day by reading the book and doing webassign. Also, this may sound extreme, but attend two physics lectures if you are having trouble with the class. I had to do this, and I found one professor (Jarrio) could explain the material much clearer than my actual professor.</p>
<p>Basically you can’t treat the class casually. You need have a structure schedule where you sit down and learn the material. If you try to cram the night before a test, you better go buy yourself a rape whistle.</p>
<p>With that said, it may sound like Physics II is the hardest damn class in existence. It is hard in the grand scheme of things, but you can make an A as long as you set up a structured study schedule and follow it. I studied 4 hours a week for it including webassign (1 hour a day, Mon-Thurs). Do this for all your classes, and you’ll find your time at tech much less stressful. Also, your GPA will thank you for it. </p>
<p>Try to take Jarrio if you can. I found him to give amazingly clear explanations, and contrary to popular belief, he wants to help you succeed (Just don’t be shy about asking him for help). Stay clear of Murray. He is a likable guy, but I found he couldn’t explain the material well.</p>
<p>Here is a novel of advice you can read from students that made an A in the course: [PHYS</a> 2212 K Summer 2011](<a href=“http://www.physics.gatech.edu/~mj38/Summer_2011/2212K/]PHYS”>http://www.physics.gatech.edu/~mj38/Summer_2011/2212K/)</p>
<p>Click on course policies and you will see a section labeled “Good Advice”.</p>
<p>my advice is the top one of fall 2010.</p>
<p>Gregor is right. Jarrio is a fantastic professor in that he can explain things and he is very nuts about teaching. You won’t be bored by his style. It’s a tough class, but you have to make sure you understand the concepts. W/o the fundamental understanding, practicing problems will feel like memorizing specific situations. The class is difficult, but without him teaching, it would be the same difficulty and a lot more self-learning.</p>
<p>2 pieces of advice:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>always keep blank paper with you when studying physics II. Writing clearly and drawing good diagrams are immensely helpful.</p></li>
<li><p>Always keep track of units. He requires this because its good practice and following the units make sure that the answer you get is the answer you actually want.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>make sure you knnow your **** from physics 1 also. I one time had a ciruclar motion question on magnetic field.</p>
<p>If you can take modern physics 2, much easier</p>
<p>classical physics 2 was the roughest class I have ever taken at tech. flippin jarrio mad the most hardest obscure tests, had on test wheere average was a 42. It was sad.</p>
<p>Dude practice practice practice. Never did hw, F-ed me over. THere are clandestine websites where you can find practice tests pre 9/11 and everything from then till know. Jarrio came into the picture circua 2003, so their are only so many ways he could ask you a question. ONe word, dont underestimate him and his capacity to inflict suffer.</p>