<p>As angsty as this post might seem, I really am posting because I really need help. </p>
<p>I'm in AP physics this year and it is probably the hardest class I've ever taken (I'm a senior in high school). The teacher at my school is new and quasi-inexperienced. She's ok at teaching us when she wants to, but most days are spent doing nothing.</p>
<p>But the worst is how little time we get on tests and quizzes. The material itself isn't too hard so far but timing is a huge issue. Most of my class agrees with me too, save my twin sister who effortlessly has a 105% and an A+ on every test or quiz without studying.</p>
<p>I, on the other hand, studied a lot and got a D- (65%). As of now, I don't know anyone who did as badly as I did. It's really hurting my self esteem and making me really angry and depressed that the amount of effort I put in yields literally no success. I'm considering dropping the class, but what I really want is to just figure out the secret for taking tests in that class so I don't fail. </p>
<p>One last thing, math isn't the issue. I have a 100% in AP calculus and it's never been a problem for me. I really need to fix this physics problem though, whatever the **** I'm doing wrong.</p>
<p>You sound just like me! I’m in Physics C and it’s definitely a challenge, having the reputation as the most difficult class in my school. I feel like I got the lowest grade on the last test as well, am insecure among my physics-y friends who can easily grasp concepts and look at me funny when I don’t. I really like calc, and passed other AP sciences, it’s just physics that doesn’t seem to click. Maybe it’s genetic–both my parents failed it, ha.</p>
<p>I recommend looking up online videos (Khan academy and such) and practicing on old AP free responses you can find–the biggest problem I have, at least, is connecting the math to the concepts, knowing what to substitute where or getting the gist of the problem. I try and write down all of the given info (i.e. initial velocity, mass, coefficient of friction) and what I’m solving for, and substitute from there. And definitely make sure you have a solid understanding of trig (SOHCAHTOA, sin/cos = tan, all that business). If I can’t figure a problem out after multiple tries, then it’s the internet, and I study the solution and learn from there.</p>
<p>Anyway, physics is just physics, and while it may seem like a real pain in the butt for the time being, soon you’ll graduate, go on to college, and, especially if you’re not a science/math major, you can kiss it goodbye. Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on. Don’t freak out too much and don’t let physics consume your soul. I wish you tons of luck!</p>