General Physics (PH201) Summer Term 2008
Tips
for Success
* While group work is strongly encouraged, each person should
attempt to solve each problem before meeting as a group or working with another
person. This way, as you go through the logical process of solving a problem,
you gain information as to which concepts you understand, and which you need
specific help for. Even after working with others, you should still work
through the problems yourself. Remember that the ultimate goal is not the completion
of the homework set but the understanding of the information that gets you
there and that you can use again later. Use your resources wisely.
* Look for similarities, not differences. Students often focus on
what is different from one problem to the next. However, it is frequently the
similarities that provide the key. Try starting a new problem with “How is this
the same as what we’ve done before?” The differences are important, but it’s
the similarities that will likely lead you to the applicable physical
principles.
* Physics builds upon itself as the
term goes by. If you get behind, it can be disastrous. It is imperative that
you understand the underlying principles before
moving on to the next concept.
* Take advantage of different resources. There are many available
to you - your fellow classmates, other examples of clear problem solutions, the
textbook, online tutorials, the TA’s in the Physics Department. TA’s are
available for help; see your TA about when they are available to help. Feel free
to seek out the instructor’s help during posted office hours. If that doesn’t
work, make an appointment with the instructor. Also, email to the instructor
can often work, especially for quick or simple or short questions.
* Some students have had great luck with private tutors. The
physics office (WNGR 301) keeps a list of willing, available tutors among the
physics students. (These tutors charge a fee.) (Some of these physics students
may not be available during summer term.)
* Be aware that there will be things
presented in class that are not in the textbook as well as much that is in the
textbook that will not be presented in class.
Thus:
* Read the textbook! It’s not a John Grisham novel, but does have
a lot of information. More importantly, it may provide a different point of
view than you received from the lecture or a classmate.
* Do not wait for, nor wish for, someone to simply tell you which
equation(s) to use. Being handed an equation to solve would make this a math
class. Understanding the concepts well enough to decide which equation(s) you
need is at the heart of this physics course.
* Understand fully that there are an infinite number of possible
problems and/or variations on a problem and you will NOT wait for every one of
them to be demonstrated in class.
* Realizing the previous to be so,
don’t be even a little surprised if you see a problem on a test that is not
like anything that you’ve done up to that point. It
will certainly be a problem that can be done with the knowledge
you’ve gained, even if you’ve never done it before! That’s much of the power,
and fun,
of physics!
* Do not be embarrassed to be wrong, confused, uncertain, to make
mistakes. Learning is rarely a smooth road without potholes. Sometimes, our
greatest revelations and thus progress comes when we’ve been doing something
wrong for a while. Frustrating, but true.
* Eat well and get enough sleep. Both of these can be difficult
for students that are on the go, that have other classes, that have jobs. As
exciting as physics is, it can sometimes still be hard to stay awake in class
if you’ve been staying up too late.
* Believe in yourself. Many more people can do this physics stuff
than think they can. It can be a struggle, but I’ve had many more students that
have said “I get this! I can do this!” than never figure it out. You, most
likely, are more than capable of succeeding in this class.
* Relax. Don’t panic. (Okay, if you get too far behind, you may
need to panic. But only for a minute. Then find a solution.) If you get stuck
on a problem, go to a previous example and see if that might give you some
clue. If still stuck, go on to the next problem. It’s possible the key will
come to you when you’re not so focused on the problem, maybe even when you’re
scarcely thinking about physics at all. (Though, when is a person NOT thinking
about physics…)