HOW TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE PHYSICS BY REALLY TRYING
HOW TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE PHYSICS BY REALLY TRYING
Physics encompasses the large and the small, the old and the new. From the atom to galaxies, from electrical circuitry to aerodynamics, physics is very much a part of the world around us. You probably are taking this introductory course in physics because it is required for subsequent courses you plan to take in preparation for your career. Your professor wants you to learn physics and to enjoy the experience. He or she is very interested in helping you learn this fascinating subject.
Preparation for This Course
If you had high school physics, you will probably learn concepts faster than
those students who have not because you will be familiar with the language
of physics. Keep a glossary of new terms that you encounter and make sure
you understand how they are used in physics. Likewise, if you are farther
along in your mathematics courses, you will pick up the mathematical aspects
of physics faster. Even if your mathematics preparation is adequate,
you may find a book such as Arnold D. Pickar’s Preparing for General
Physics: Math Skill Drills and Other Useful Help to be useful.
(This paperbound workbook is usually available in the Normandale Bookstore.)
Your professor may actually assign sections of this math review to assist
your learning. Typically underprepared students need to work on basic
algebra (solving for an unknown) and basic trigonometry.
Learning to Learn
Each of us has a different learning style and each of us has preferred means
of learning. It is important for you to understand your own learning
style. This will help you to focus on aspects of physics that may give
you difficulty and to use those components of your course that will help
you overcome the difficulty. Obviously you will want to spend more
time on those aspects that give you the most trouble. For example,
if you learn by hearing, lectures will be very important. If you learn
well by explaining, then working with other students will be useful to you.
If solving problems is difficult for you, spend more time learning how
to solve problems. Also, it is important to understand and develop good
study habits. Perhaps the most important thing you can do for
yourself is to set aside adequate, regularly scheduled, study time in a distraction-free
environment.
Answer the following questions for yourself:
Lectures and Taking Notes
An important component of any college course is the lecture. In physics
this is especially important because your professor will frequently do demonstrations
of physical principles, run computer simulations, or show video clips.
All of these are learning activities that will help you to understand the
basic principles of physics. Don’t miss lectures, and if for some reason
you do, ask a friend or member of your study group to provide you with notes
and let you know what happened.
Take your class notes in outline form, and fill in the details later. It can be very difficult to take word for word notes, so just write down key ideas. Your professor may use a diagram from the textbook. Leave a space in your notes and just add the diagram later. After class, edit your notes, filling in any gaps or omissions and noting things you need to study further. Make references to the textbook by page, equation number, or section number.
Make sure you ask questions in class, or see your professor during office hours. Remember, the only “dumb” question is the one that is not asked.
Examinations
Taking an examination is stressful. But, if you feel adequately prepared,
and are well-rested, your stress will be lessened. Preparing for an
exam is a continual process. It begins the moment the last exam is
over. You should immediately go over the previous exam and understand
any mistakes you made. If you worked a problem and made substantial
errors, try this: Take a piece of paper and divide it down the middle
with a line from top to bottom. In the right column, write the proper
solution to the problem. In the left column, write what you did and
why, if you know, and why your solution was incorrect. If you are uncertain
why you made your mistake, and how to avoid it again, talk with your professor.
Physics continually builds on fundamental ideas and it is important to correct
any misunderstandings immediately. Warning: While cramming at
the last minute may get you through the present exam, you will not adequately
retain the concepts for use on the next exam. Physics is cumulative:
Everything you learn relates to everything else!
Using Your Textbook
At its heart, physics is not equations and numbers. Physics is a way
of looking at the universe and understanding how the universe works and how
its various parts relate to each other. And although solving quantitative
problems is an important part of physics, it is equally important for you
to understand concepts qualitatively. Your textbook will help you in
both areas.
First of all, don’t be hesitant to write in your book. It is more important
for you to learn the concepts of physics than to keep your book in pristine
condition. Write in the margins, make cross references. Take
notes in your notebook as you read. Your textbook is your primary “reference
book” for this course. Refer to it often to help you understand the
concepts you hear in lecture. Become familiar with the contents of
the appendices and end papers.
Useful Concepts and Chapter Summaries
Before you begin a detailed reading of a chapter, carefully read the chapter
summary to gain insight to what you will be learning. Don’t worry
if you don’t understand everything at first. The chapter summary will
give you a quick review of the chapter’s main ideas and the key equations
that represent those ideas mathematically. Everything else can be derived
from these general equations.
Worked Examples
Your professor will work example problems in class to illustrate the application
of the concepts of physics to real-world problems. You should work
through all the examples in the textbook, filling in any missing steps, and
making note of things you don’t understand. Get help with the concepts
that confuse you!
Review Questions and Problems
Keep a glossary of important concepts and key terms in your notebook.
Your professor may indicate through the use of course objectives which terms
are important for you to know. If your professor assigns or suggests Problems
from the end of the chapter, make sure you work them carefully with other
students. There is nothing mysterious about solving physics problems,
particularly if you have a strategy to follow
. If solutions are available, do not look at the answer until you have
struggled with the problem and compared your answer with someone else’s.
If the two of you agree on the answer, then look at the solution.
If you have made a mistake, go back and rework the problem. Do not
simply read the problem.
Every professor has expectations of his or her students. Dr. Joyce Bremer has written a concise summary of her expectations.
Strive for understanding, excellence and be persistent in your learning!