Physics Study Tips

Students and parents often want to know how to do better in physics.  In brief there is no simple answer.  Unlike many other courses, you can not master physics by memorizing.  You can not find an example of every type of problem and simply repeat the process for all additional problems.  Physics problems are each unique.  Solving them requires application of basic principles discovered in laboratory experiments and discussed in class.  In short, students must develop problem-solving skills in order to master physics.  Since these problem-solving skills transfer readily to other fields, honing these skills will not only improve physics performance, but also performance in other courses.

The link below is how the University of Texas (Web HW sponsor) addresses the same issue. https://hw.utexas.edu/bur/solvingSkills.html

In addition, students should have a good working understanding of Algebra 1 before attempting to study advanced physics.  If you do not have the mathematical thinking skills required for this class- take General Physics instead of Advanced Physics.  All HC students are not required to take physics; therefore the general level physics is a more academic class than many general classes.  

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Learning problem-solving skills is an important component to doing well in physics but not the only important piece.  What follows are some specific suggestions for doing well in my physics courses.

Best Suggestion

Use your class time wisely—be an ACTIVE Learner (listen, ask questions, THINK)

Getting Help

I am usually in my room in the mornings – knock on the door.  Students can come by for help with worksheets, problem sets and Web HW.  My only requirement is that students come with specific questions and their attempt at a solution.  I can not render effective assistance otherwise.

Additional Suggestions

· Come to class

· Form a study group.  The most effective way to learn physics is to set aside time once or twice a week to get together with a small (3-5) group of students with the purpose of working on physics.  The discourse that takes place during these sessions is invaluable.

· Work through the "High School Physics Tutorial" available online at http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/class/BBoard.html#1dkin

· Participate in white board discussions

· Take notes

· Review notes

· Read the book (printed or online)

· Ask questions

· Do not get behind

· Do the worksheets

· Do the Web HW – print it early in the unit, work on it a little at a time – DO NOT save it all for the last night!

· Download the solutions to the Web HW

· Make an honest attempt on all problems

· Get help as needed

· Study for tests by making up and solving problems

· look over the Unit Web Page ( staff.fcps.net/kgill, click on the appropriate unit and you will see "Unit Objectives" and additional study tips for that unit)

· Read test questions carefully

Things that improve problem-solving skills:

• Practice: Like anything, improvement requires practice.  People get to be good problem-solvers by solving problems.  Practicing problem-solving does not mean working many problems that are very similar.  In order to practice problem-solving, one needs to work many different types of problems while paying attention to what is similar to previous problems and what is different.  The process of struggling with a problem and eventually finding a solution is far more beneficial than any lecture. 
• Attempt: Students will often read a problem, state they do not know where to begin and give-up.  Good problem-solvers often do not know where to begin either.  The difference is that they begin somewhere anyway.  Sometimes drawing a picture and making a list of knowns is enough to get started on a solution.  Sometimes a solution attempt will fail and a different approach must be tried.  This, however, is a learning experience.  When a solution fails, ask why it failed so similar mistakes are not made in the future.  Gradually this experience will lead to fewer mistakes and better problem-solving skills. 
• Explain: The act of explaining what was done in a particular problem and why it was done is invaluable.  Explaining a problem requires one to think about each step.  This dialogue helps remove the mystery surrounding the solution to a challenging problem.
• Think: While this may sound obvious, it is often overlooked.  Students need to think carefully about what information is given, what are they asked to find and what tools they have available.  Listing these explicitly will often provide enough help to begin a solution.
• Question: Good problem solvers question solutions by asking what was done and why it was done.  A solution to a problem is only the beginning.  The rest of the learning comes from analyzing the solution and questioning the steps involved.

Things that do little to improve problem-solving skills:

• Tutors: Save your money- learn to work and study. Watching a tutor work through a problem does little to help the student think about the problem and come up with an approach for solving it.  The tutor usually pushes the student past any rough spots while letting the student work through the easy parts.  This gives the student a false sense of accomplishment and does nothing to help the student get past a rough spot encountered during an exam or other situation when the tutor is not around.  Paying attention in class, asking questions and joining a study group is far more effective. You are welcome to get a tutor, but please do not ask me to recommend one.
• Copying: When getting help with a challenging problem, copying another's work provides no benefit.  Simply duplicating the steps made by another may be easy to follow but does nothing to help the student make similar steps on their own.  Working through problems, even after receiving a hint, proves far more beneficial.
• Multiple Examples: Students often want many examples of how to solve problems.  While examples are beneficial as a topic is being explored the first time, they become less and less useful.  Students tend to try to duplicate examples exactly without thinking about what is being done and why.  While students can usually follow examples step-by-step, this does not translate into coming up with the steps themselves.  Only working a variety of sample problems provides the required practice necessary to improve skills.  One can not become a great basketball player simply by watching the pros...the same is true with problem-solving!

FYI.... you can get Live Homework Help from the Lexington Public Library: