<p>Well there is no easy fix solution for physics; you gotta practice physics problems if you want to master the problem solving aspect of it. </p>
<p>You could read your high school physics textbook and try to understand the concepts in there, or you could look online for some algebra based physics lecture notes or conceptual physics notes. </p>
<p>Here is a website with some notes on physics concepts</p>
<p>I’ve never really done study groups. I’ve done group projects and such, those are fine but I don’t understand what’s done in an actual study group. To tell you the truth I never studied in high school, math was something I got by just doing the practice sheets the teacher graded, physics was the same, english is just reading the book and taking the test/pumping out the analyzes paper, history was possibly the only class I should have studied for but I didn’t because I was stubborn and I managed okay so never bothered further (and I know for a fact there will be no history requirement for my major, I asked a lot). I think I have a knack for memorizing (at least, I can memorize pages of lines or dialogue if I just reread it before I fall asleep and the next day I remember it). I have some issues with procrastination but I found the cure was a sort of reversal, time management (like, spacing out writing a 4000 word essay) didn’t work well so instead I just sit down the day it’s assigned and beat out a 4000 word essay as if it were due tomorrow (even if it’s due next month). What comes out is basically what would come out if I procrastinated to the last day, then I walk away and give it some time, then look back at it, give it to someone to proofread, bang it out some more and then yah and just print out a copy and save it and I’m done till it’s due.</p>
<p>So I can handle memorizing and procrastination but study groups, I hear there are a lot of these in engineering and I don’t mind working with others but I’ve never really studied traditionally or with others. So if someone could just describe what’s done at these?</p>
<p>I think if you study in groups and you don’t understand a certain topic, there maybe another person who understands that certain topic and will help clear up that confusion. I think what is done is you get to hear other peoples understanding of whatever you happen to work on and it could help you understand the subject in more detail if you understood it before.</p>
<p>How is the level of work in college compared to high school? I know I had seven classes everyday from 7-2 but I know in college that is entirely different. How different is it?</p>
<p>There is a book I highly recommend for entering college students. It’s called “What Smart Students Know”. Written by the co-founder of the Princeton Review prep service, it explains what study skills you need and how to study different material. There is also a web site with a collection of a lot of info at [University</a> of St. Thomas : Academic Support Center](<a href=“http://www.stthomas.edu/academicsupport/studyLinks/default.html]University”>http://www.stthomas.edu/academicsupport/studyLinks/default.html) A rule of thumb is that you should plan for 3 hours outside of class for every hour in class. This tends to be true for math and science subjects, less so for liberal arts. </p>
<p>For many classes you can find Problem-Solver guides; for only about $20 you get a thick book like a SAT study guide with thousands of worked problems. Turn to the chapter that matches what your class is studying and start working them. Practice is what gets you to a better level. A lot of people believe in “talent”, that you either have it or you don’t. But the top students don’t get that way by not studying (even though they go to a lot of trouble to give off that impression!), nor do the top tennis players, chess players, etc. You don’t need to be the sharpest pencil in the box to do well in physics, math, econ, etc; you do have to be willing to put in some significant hours of work, though.</p>
<p>I have a few things that I would recommend. First, I would use the Cornell not-taking system (I cannot describe it too well, but if I were you I would look it up as it has been very helpful for me). Second, make sure to review your notes each day after class. It is also important to take lots of notes, even if some of the things seems slightly unnecessary (I know some will disagree, but this has worked for me). Finally, the best way to study is just to sit somewhere, with little to no distractions, and just study. You may want to look into active studying habits as those are said to be more helpful than just rereading notes (not for me personally though).</p>
<p>Even if it is by trial and error, I am sure you will find the kind of studying that works best for you and do fine.</p>
<p>Thank you that link says a lot. I already bought a book that is almost similar and it tells you more about doing well on papers and final exams and other stuff.</p>
<p>Oh I never liked to do those cornell note taking systems. It sometimes gets confusing and I usually prefer the note taking I think its best and how I want to organize by how the professor is doing his/her thing. Hopefully thats ok if you don’t use any specific note taking method.</p>