Physics is hard

Introverted1293

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I am taking physics and I am barely understanding it. I hate that I am not smart. In the chapter that I am reading, it talks about Eratosthenes, and how he figured out the circumference of the earth just by using a stick. Then it talks about how he did it, and that is what I am not understanding. This is only the beginning. Wish me luck in trying to understand this. LOL
 

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I am taking physics and I am barely understanding it. I hate that I am not smart. In the chapter that I am reading, it talks about Eratosthenes, and how he figured out the circumference of the earth just by using a stick. Then it talks about how he did it, and that is what I am not understanding. This is only the beginning. Wish me luck in trying to understand this. LOL
I suggest finding other students that can work with you. Creating study groups always helped me.
 
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bekkilyn

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How are your skills in mathematics? If they are weak, then it is only natural you would also have trouble in Physics. I don't know if your particular physics class is algebra-based or calculus-based, but you may need to go back and really work on basic algebra skills at the very least just to make sure you have those down and you would then only need to focus on how they are used more specifically in the physics you are learning.

I also agree with finding other students to work with your in a group BUT with one warning. Do not under any condition allow them to do the work for you. Make sure that by the end of those study sessions that you are capable of doing the work entirely on your own (and *practice* on your own outside of the group just to make sure) since you will not have that group available during exams.

Physics can be extremely fun once you are better at the foundational skills, but it does take work to get there. It doesn't mean you aren't smart. It just means that you aren't there YET.
 
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Introverted1293

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How are your skills in mathematics? If they are weak, then it is only natural you would also have trouble in Physics. I don't know if your particular physics class is algebra-based or calculus-based, but you may need to go back and really work on basic algebra skills at the very least just to make sure you have those down and you would then only need to focus on how they are used more specifically in the physics you are learning.

I also agree with finding other students to work with your in a group BUT with one warning. Do not under any condition allow them to do the work for you. Make sure that by the end of those study sessions that you are capable of doing the work entirely on your own (and *practice* on your own outside of the group just to make sure) since you will not have that group available during exams.

Physics can be extremely fun once you are better at the foundational skills, but it does take work to get there. It doesn't mean you aren't smart. It just means that you aren't there YET.

Thank you very much. :)
 
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JackRT

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I am taking physics and I am barely understanding it. I hate that I am not smart. In the chapter that I am reading, it talks about Eratosthenes, and how he figured out the circumference of the earth just by using a stick. Then it talks about how he did it, and that is what I am not understanding. This is only the beginning. Wish me luck in trying to understand this. LOL

It was Eratosthenes' understanding of Geometry that enabled his experiment. Keep in mind that Mathematics is the language of Physics.
 
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God saves

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“Introverted1293”, are you majoring in or do you plan to major in science or mathematics, or are you taking physics as an elective or General Education requirement? Just curious.

I think that asking classmates or friends who understand what is taught in class to explain it to you sounds like great advice! However, if that didn’t work, I were in your situation, if I wanted to improve my understanding of physics and the class content I would perhaps try to visit the physics professor during his or her office hours (or request) an appointment and ask him or her to go over the material.

If your college has tutoring services, if I were you I would make use of them.

Congratulations on persevering in your studies and making an effort to understand the class content!
 
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Introverted1293

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Are you majoring in or do you plan to major in science or mathematics, or are you taking physics as an elective or General Education requirement? Just curious.

I think that asking classmates or friends who understand what is taught in class to explain it to you sounds like great advice! However, if that didn’t work, I were in your situation, if I wanted to improve my understanding of physics and the class content I would perhaps try to visit the physics professor during his or her office hours (or request) an appointment and ask him or her some questions about the class material.

If your college has tutoring services, if I were you I would make use of them.

It was just an elective. I didn't realize how hard it was going to be and it ended up being too late to change my classes. But I think that if I stick to it that I will do fine. I will ask my professor and we do have tutors available. I will also watch YouTube videos and find any information that I can at the library or whatever to help me with my class.
 
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JackRT

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It was just an elective. I didn't realize how hard it was going to be end up too kind of too late to change my classes. But I think that if I stick to it that I will do fine. I will ask my professor and we do have tutors available. I will also watch YouTube videos and find any information that I can at the library or whatever to help me with my class.

Be very careful about who you listen to on YouTube, there is a whole whack of misinformation out there.
 
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It was just an elective. I didn't realize how hard it was going to be end up too kind of too late to change my classes. But I think that if I stick to it that I will do fine. I will ask my professor and we do have tutors available. I will also watch YouTube videos and find any information that I can at the library or whatever to help me with my class.

I think it’s very encouraging that you have such a positive attitude! It’s also very good to hear that your college has good support/tutoring resources available for students!

For me, science and math were far from my best subjects in high school, so I can somewhat relate when you say physics is hard. I think, though, that just because one has not learnt or mastered something yet does not mean one will not learn or master something in the future, however challenging or easy it may be.

I hope you keep up your effort and good work!
 
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Introverted1293

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From another thread it sounds as if you are in your first year of college (I am too).

It’s very encouraging that you have such a positive attitude! It’s also very good to hear that your college has good support/tutoring resources available for students!

For me, science and math were far from my best subjects, so I can somewhat relate when you say physics is hard. I think, though, that just because one has not learnt or mastered something yet does not mean one will not learn or master something in the future, however challenging or easy it may be.

I hope you keep up your effort and good work!

Sorry. I had a typo, so some of my sentences did not make sense. LOL

What I was trying to say was that it ended up being to late to change my classes.

Thank you very much for your encouragement.

That is cool that science and math are your best subjects.
 
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God saves

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Sorry. I had a typo, so some of my sentences did not make sense. LOL

What I was trying to say was that it ended up being to late to change my classes.

Thank you very much for your encouragement.

That is cool that science and math are your best subjects.

You’re welcome - I really hope that whatever it is, you’ll find something that works for you and leads you on the right path!

I understood that you meant that it was too late to change the classes.

I just read your other thread again and realized that you are actually probably in your second or third year of college - sorry for the mistake.

I meant that science and math are not my strongest areas so I can relate a bit when you say you feel physics is challenging.
 
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