It is only a month into the this semester and I just want to run away from it all. I have a general physics test on Monday on Newtons laws and Energy & Power. I think I have a good grasp on Newtons laws and those equations but the chapter on Energy & Power is gonna kick my butt. How do people pass this class? I have yet to figure it out, I mean I got the lowest D possible on the first test with out failing. The odd thing is I always get 100% on the homeworks, but that is cause our prof’s way of teaching is doing our homework problems for us. So I get to spend my entire fri, sat and sunday studying for hours a day to hopefully get a C on monday. To top this off I work all weekend too at a job which I only have so I can afford to live somewhere at school. I want to go home now, I miss my family and best budd back home like none other. Do college prof know students cry at night cause they feel like a failure? And im not alone in this, my friends sympathise. Everyone here tryes to help with advice and hugs, but it isn’t good enough. I’m a junior here and I know how stupid it would be to drop out now, but If i can’t even make it through my junior hear how will I ever graduate? Anyone out there have some helpful hints or advice? It will be greatly appreciated…night slinks off to cry before eating a can of fruit then rushing off to work…
If this is true then why do you find it so odd that you get hundreds on your “homework?” Seems to me that would be natural.
I’ll tell ya how people pass this class. They spend more than 10 or 12 hours of a single weekend studying course material they find difficult. You simply need better study habits. Or a tutor. One that doesn’t do your homework for you. All things may be learned through repetition. You’re not getting enough reps.
And I’m sorry my advice isn’t more “helpful,” but there’s no easy solution except to work at it. What’s more, you may find that if your schoolwork is going better, you may be able to out some distance between you and your homesickness.
Judging from “Energy & Power” I’m assuming you either mean Kinetic and Potenial Energy, and Work, respectively, or electro-magnetic systems. I’m going to assume the former, because the stage in physics dealing with Newton’s Laws are relatively remedial. If not, you shouldn’t need to hear what I’m about to say.
There is not much I can tell you except what my first physics proffesor told our class about physics (paraphrasing):
“Noone comes into physics understanding this science. In fact, most enter this class with preconceived notions which will hinder your progression in this class. The only things you must remember in this class are the laws of Trigonometry, Algebra, and Calculus (for those starting in university physics). Forget everything else you think that you know about physics, because at some point down the line, you’re wrong.”
He then proceeded to give us a pretest in the class, which we all failed… miserably. At the end of the semester, he gave us the same test, and I was amazed at what I had learned.
Following three main steps in physics problems will help you immensely:
- Draw a pictoral diagram, labeling all pertinent information
- Identify any unknown variables which may help you in discovering what you need to know about this system.
- Derive your formula(s), being very careful not to skip steps
Without a doubt, many concepts in this course are very difficult to wrap your head around, and there will definately be instructors who do not teach in a manner that is complementary to your learning style. If there’s something you don’t understand, tutors are a great option to help you learn in this class.
Your instructor’s method of “Homework” seems very unproductive, and, it certainly doesn’t help in physics to watch a specific problem, without the insight into why the professor is doing what they are doing. For analysis into what you actually understand, bring problems to a tutor which you don’t understand, such as advanced problems in your book. In Newton’s Laws, “Atwood’s Machine” is a very good example of how to follow these three steps to reach a certain end.
Good Luck!!
Is it just this class that you’re having such a hard time with? It could be that the instructor is teaching in a manner that doesn’t fit with your learning capabilities.
I took a calculus class that always seemed two steps ahead of what I was understanding. That was the only class that I ever dropped. I took calculus again with a different instructor and got an “A” if I recall correctly.
Consider dropping the class and trying again with another instructor.