Hi, I’m a senior in High School who is currently enrolled in AP Physics 1 and AP Calculus AB. I’m planning on self-studying Physics 2, Physics C: E&M and Mechanics, along with AP Macro/Microeconomics and possibly AP Environmental Science. My question is should I consider taking Physics 2 and the C’s even though they revolve around more difficult calculus?
That will kill me, to be honest. If you are so hardworking, intelligent individual, then why not, but if I were you I will consider once again because for me self-studying calculus and physics along with school works was enough of a burden. If you understand calculus very well, then Physics C will not be as difficult, they make sense to you mathematically. Materials covered in Physics 2 and Physics C EM are not covered in Physics 1 course at all, I am assuming. Thus, you need to spend extra hours on those outside of your class time. Integrals are not covered in AP Calc AB, so study those on your own as well. AP micro and macroeconomics and environmental science… I do not know, are those necessary? It will turn your senior year into a very stressful one when it already is.
@quewey1729 Thanks for the reply! I will be sure to take heed of your advice. I made that post about 11 days ago and I have decided thus far to take self-study calc BC instead, as it is my very best class. Science can also be considered to me as a close second. I will definitely take the time to study all the physics outside of class. What can I say? i have a lot of free time on my hands!
What would you recommend for AP Prep Books? Like Barrons, PR, 5 steps to a 5 etc
Thanks again
Do enough so you can get 6-7 hrs of sleep every night. Anything less will probably kill your grades and whatever college you applied to.
If you are certain, then do not use those prep books. Use textbooks… or at least that’s what I did.
@quewey1729 Do you have any textbook suggestions?
I took all of the AP exams you listed above on my junior year, got 5’s on all the science, and got 4’s on the economics exams. Here’s what I’d suggest:
For Micro and Macroeconomics, use Barron’s, try to memorize everything, and do tons of application problems and AP problems available on the Internet.
For AP Physics II and Physics E&M, use Princeton Review. About 75% of the E&M contents overlap, so you should study AP Physics II a little bit more. Even if you use Princeton Review or good textbooks, it’ll be conceptually hard to grasp what’s happening, so I’d suggest you to use https://www.educator.com. Trust me, it’s worth it. I used this website to self-study Physics Mech, E&M, and Psychology, and I got all 5’s. Once you understand the concepts, do tons of AP Practice problems.
For AP Physics C Mech, use Educator.com to understand the concepts with calculus. There WILL be calculus problemS on the test, and many students were doomed last year.
For Enviro, it’s easy-peasy. Just use Princeton, and you’re covered.
I self-studied 5 exams on my junior year and got four 5’s and one 4, so you can do it if you plan well.
Best wishes