Hello all, I’m currently a first year Engineering student. While I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to be, I knew that I can be pretty good at math and such if I have a firm foundation, and love seeing how things work. So, I chose Civil Engineering as my major.
However, I haven’t had good luck with Physics at all. I’d love to blame it on my instructors, but I always seem to be the dumbest kid (I’m actually serious) in my classes. I passed AP Physics 1 with a D, and in the general physics course I’m currently taking, I’ve been scoring no higher than high F’s on my tests, and am in jeopardy of getting a D for the semester overall (need C to pass). I’m just not understanding the concepts, and no matter how many Khan Academy videos I watch, I just don’t get it.
Also, while I did fine in Calculus 1, I totally bombed my previous test in Calc 2, am in jeopardy of also getting a D in the class. I’m really losing my motivation, and am seriously doubting if I’m cut out for this. I’m planning on getting a tutor asap, but if I can’t grasp the concepts then, I’m not really sure what to do. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
I’ve been that guy. Deep in my chemistry sequence (Organic II), I was so lost, I just had to ride the curve and hope for the best. It was a terrifying feeling. My only saving grace is that I never needed it again. I’m an optometrist. I can relate to hoping you aren’t the low score.
Fortunately, I became a better student and got to the point, both in undergrad and in professional school, of being confident that I set the curve or was close.
You are in a different boat than I was. Calculus and Physics are fundamental to your further learning.
Do you go to every class, discussion and lab? Do you do the assigned reading? Do you work on problems daily, pr at least multiple time per week, so you aren’t trying to figure it out right before a test? Do you text while you study? Browse the internet? Facebook? Do you study between classes or put it off until later?
Some people simply aren’t cut out for it. I’m a believer that most could be though with the proper foundation, work ethic, and study skills. There’s a trick to being a good student, no matter what you choose, and that’s incremental, progressive, effective learning. Not simply memorizing how to do a problem or pounding in a factoid, but learning and internalizing.
When you can’t do that, it can be because you are inefficient and/or poorly organized or/and you may not have the proper foundation.
You might have to step backwards, possibly a bit further than you’d like, to make sure your background is solid. If you’re not “getting it” you might simply not have the base to build on. @boneh3ad and @HPuck35 could both help you assess how far back on Kahn you might have to back fill, if that is indeed part of the problem.
I’ve been going to every class, but I have ditched physics before to get help for another class. I try to be as on task as I can, but as mentioned, I’ve been really losing motivation and have not been as focused as before. I’ve tried reading the material, but it gets me nowhere.
I’ll also be honest, I’m probably not studying and practicing as much as I should be, so I’ve only got myself to blame in that regard. I’m currently in the process of trying to find a tutor so I can have a chance to sit down one-on-one, as it seems to be the only way I can *actually understand the material.
I know it’s pretty late to be doing this, but I’m afraid that if I don’t do anything now, I’m gonna be behind an entire semester if I get anything lower than a C in calc and physics, due to University policy.
College is very short relative to the length of a career. If you end up taking 5, even 6 years, for whatever reason, that’s not the end of the world, IF you can afford it and IF you are motivated.
It’s going to be hard to recover this semester, but certainly possible. As stated above, as long as you can stay in the program, it isn’t a deal breaker if you struggle.
Get the book “How to Become a Straight-A Student” by Cal Newport and read it over the Summer. Do it at the beginning. It’ll only take a few days at most. Put heavy emphasis on his calendar method and the section on “pseudo studying.” It will pay BIG dividends no matter whether you stay in engineering or not.
Dedicate a couple of hours or so per day over the Summer to Kahn. I’d start in math. How far back you go is the real question, but I sense you’re flailing due to an inadequate understanding of previous material. Only you know if you have to go back just to pre-calc, Algebra II, or even trig.
Follow with Physics up to the next class you’ll be going into.
Take it seriously. Watch the videos on 1.5x, even 2x speed of you can keep up while comprehending 100% of the material.
It’ll suck, and take a lot of time, but it’ll be a one shot deal that will get you back on track if that’s what you want. You’d have to REALLY want it to dedicate to that effort, but it will work if you do.
Alternatively, you could switch majors. There is a path though if you are passionate about engineering.
You shouldn’t measure studying in terms of time, but in terms of effectiveness. There is no set number of recommended study hours, only a recommended set of results. If what you are doing isn’t working, then change it, either with more time or with more efficient use of existing time.
Update: I unfortunately didn’t pass physics, but I did Calculus. In fact I was one of the 2 people of the 4 who actually did in my group. Yes, it probably was my fault for not studying as effectively as I should. and I was up very late studying for other things, but it was really, really close. Like literally 2%. Thankfully, I can retake the class as many times as needed, and am registered for summer school.
Thanks again for all the advice. I will try to do what I can to follow everything you said.