<p>I'm currently in my first semester of basic physics w/lab. Anyone have any experience or advice to help do well? Any useful study regimens? How much (on average) should I be studying? Anything particularly helpful other than reading and reviewing notes? How often? I'd appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.</p>
<p>well lets see, first semester physics studied my ass off and had a tutor, got a B, second semester slacked off a bit, no tutor got a B, third semester physics (required for my major) slacked off even more, did quite badly, got a B+.....
Ivys Rule!</p>
<p>Where do you study Shraf/which major ??</p>
<p>What was the hardness in studying it - the curriculum itself or your university exams ..
Can one overcome the hurdles by seeing some good references and kicking his ass off with extra problem solving Qs ??</p>
<p>I found myself going to the teacher's office hours or the TA's office hours quite often near the end of the semester. I wouldn't say I aced all my physics classes but I did well enough.</p>
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Where do you study Shraf/which major ??
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<p>Columbia U, Biomedical Engineering</p>
<p>As for studying for physics, the class was curved quite leniently and the difficulty was that I didnt know any physics and I couldnt take the regular "premed" physics because i'm an engineer. So that class really didnt lend itself to learning anything because i just couldnt keep up. Besides i also dont like physics. I hear the premed class is alot easier though. Of course doing problems and asking ur TA or prof questions is the way to go, but with physics some things r just intuitive.</p>
<p>My school is set up differently. Premeds have to take the same physics courses as engineers (calculus-based physics) so it was especially tough!</p>
<p>I agree some things are intuitive in that you have to work it out and be able to recognize the problems by yourself come exam time. But the best way is to keep doing practice problems and if you don't understand something, make sure you get a full explanation from the TA or the professor</p>
<p>Learn multi-var calculus. It definitely puts things in perspective.</p>
<p>I agree w/ Aliera: If you're taking the physics course designed for engineers, you should first complete multivariable calculus. Otherwise, just brush up on your AP Calculus BC materials (or the college class equivalent) before you take the class to have the upperhand. Calculus and physics overlap a lot (well more like physics is dependent on calc rather than the other way around) so taking calculus first rather than alongside physics will greatly help.</p>