<p>I will be taking calculus based physics next semester. I know the best way to do well in the course is to do as many problems as I can. However, I was wondering if there was any study method/advice specific for effective studying in physics?</p>
<p>Do lots of problems (as you said).
Using factor analysis is helpful too in many cases (even though it can be a pain and feel like you’re wasting time at first).
…And do lots of problems.
Know your stuff conceptually well and use the 5-step method for solving physics problems that some pedagogues of physics have been pushing (and that ExamKrackers picked up).
Also, for calc-based, know your calc really well and that will obviously help you.</p>
<p>I’d make sure the exams in your class are problem based before exerting too much effort on just problems. While it’s likely most of your points will be tied up in problems, ignoring the conceptual aspects will result in an incomplete knowledge at best…at worst, a failing grade.</p>
<p>If you understand the concepts, it’s going to help a lot in troubleshooting and helping you judge if you’ve set the problems up correctly to begin with. </p>
<p>Lastly, most physics problems are really just story problems. Pull out all the information given to you and write down the values outside of the problem so you can avoid the distractors. It’s elementary, but you’d be surprised how many top students complain about story problems, and that single step seems to help a lot…</p>