<p>I am not going to lie, I am taking Physics I at a local CC and there are days when I feel like I am being tested to my limit. I am an IE major and Physics is not really that important for my major but I am very disappointed with my performance.</p>
<p>I know I am never going to change my major, I know IE is the right major for me: I love Statistics, Optimization and things of that sort but Physics is becoming a bit of a nightmare.</p>
<p>I had a bit of difficulty with Calculus but I also felt that it was just a matter of not putting enough time, when I really put in the time, I could see a change in my grades and performance.</p>
<p>Now with Physics, I am feeling like even when I put in the time required, something is not clicking and it does not come easy to me.</p>
<p>For those of you who struggled with Physics, what did you do? I established a study group of 4 people since day 1, all of us are average to above average Engineering students and we are all struggling equally. Thanks!</p>
<p>You really need to know your calculus to be able to do well in physics. It’s the tool that makes the physics make sense.
The other key is practice. In physics, there are only a few things you need to know, but you need to be able to apply them in every which way. That’s how you succeed.</p>
<p>I did pretty well in Phys, but here is my story anyway.</p>
<p>I too thought it would be a good idea to start a study group. After the first day I knew it wasn’t an efficient use of my time, it actually confused me more, so I cut the cord and went on my own. Like Neo said, practice. Your professor should be assigning you problem sets. One of the things I do is make sure that I do the HW correct, make sure I really know why this is happening (global thinking, connect it to the theories you are learning), and before the test redo all of the HW again. Also, from your last post about phys, it seems your calculus is a bit shakey. You will want to have a descent grasp on the math of it, especially when you go into Phys II (which is the one I hated with a passion). Good luck man.</p>
<p>I found both pre-req physics classes very difficult. Hardest classes I have ever taken. I also had a strong study group for both classes. All three of us where recently accepted into the University of Michigan College of Engineering. We use to joke: there is nothing you can do to prepare for a physics exam. In all seriousness, just keep going over HW problems. That’s all I can suggest really. It’s a tough class. While some students will be better than others, it is still possible to do well. If you have any questions in particular you are struggling with, feel free to PM me and I’ll try my best to help.</p>
<p>I’ll echo chucktown, you would probably be better off going solo. Study groups are best when you’re leaching off people crushing the class, otherwise it’s the blind leading the blind. </p>
<p>Beyond the assigned hw, I would do every tenth problem for each chapter. If I got number 11, I’d go onto 21. If I messed up 21, I do 22. If I messed up 22, I’d go to 23. If I got that, I’d get back on the sequence (31, 41, etc.) Because the chapter concepts were clumped up until the general and challenge problems, I was able to really make sure I knew each problem type forward and backward. I would honestly try to keep going even through the challenge problems (usually in the #80-110 range), though some were insanely difficult. It was very satisfying when I got a challenge problem correct, but more importantly, all the practice made the tests manageable. There was never a problem I didn’t at least have some idea what to do and it got me raw scores in the 90’s.</p>
<p>I thought I was really struggling in physics all semester, so about halfway through I started studying with a friend and even though I felt like I understood the problem sets a little more, I was still struggling. </p>
<p>At the end of the semester I found out I was in the top 10% of the class, so we were all just struggling our way through. </p>
<p>Talk to other people (besides just the study group) and see what they think, everyone might just be in he same boat. It is supposed to be a difficult class at most schools to kind of test your determination and dedication</p>
<p>Does it work if I study textbook before classes? Now I’m taking college calculus1 and plan to take college physic at spring. Is it possible for me to take physics and college calculus2 at the same time if I already preview?</p>
<p>The guy is very good and goes super slowly. If you find it too slow just play it with VLC with a speed of 1.50x. If you don’t understand physics with those DVDs you won’t understand it with anything else. After those videos, do some practice problems</p>
<p>Besides doing many MANY problems, I would suggest reading the textbook before lectures if you can. Introducing yourself the concepts and then making the necessary connections in lecture can really increase your ability to learn the material. You’ll surprise yourself how much you can learn on your own. By using this method, I began to feel personally involved with the subject and ended up switching my major to physics after the intro classes. Realize that you are learning secrets of how the world works at the most fundamental level and try to enjoy the experience.</p>
<p>Physics was pretty challenging for me. It was actually a GPA killer for me. Basically, it weeds out potential engineers. I think study groups are fine. You could also talk to your professor during office hours and ask him a few questions about the concepts you’re struggling with. And there’s always the wide internet to look up ways on how to understand concepts. Practice makes perfect :)</p>