Yes – twice. I am by no means the Physics whiz.

Physics is actually one of the easier subjects. There are no “fuzzy” rules or assumptions. There are equations.

The hardest part is really understanding each problem – that is – what are you trying to solve.

The only way to master it and do great is by working LOTS of problems. This process applies to college math courses, as well.

1. Work each of the example problems in the text. If you don’t get it, work along with the example. Working a problem is not the same as reading a problem. It requires pencil & paper.

2. Work the problems at the end of the section/chapter. If there are not answers to the even problems, ask your professor if you can copy them from his text. That way you can correct your work. If he requires you to submit homework, do this after the submit and REWORK all those problems.

3. ALWAYS draw a picture or diagram for EACH problem. Practice labelling everything you can.

4. Memorize equations and work through the derivations.

5. If you are not getting suffucent # of problems (some texts are skimpier than others) ask prof for suggested sources in your school library. Or perhaps he has supplemental problem worksheets.

I”ve gotten an A in a class with only 10% A’s for physics 1st semester, and I made the 2nd highest in physics 2nd semester. I am not a “brainiac”, but I ALWAYS do ALL the assigned problems, and ALWAYS do them ON MY OWN as much as possible. No copying friends’ homework. My friends “work together” and finish in 1-2 hours, and I always take 5-6 hours on the homework. But guess who makes the A. And for studying for the test, I rework all assigned problems and the examples presented in class, then I do a practice test that my prof provides. Most professors will not ask you a question that you have not covered in the course. The test questions will use the same steps as what was shown in homework, lectures, and especially practice tests. They won’t expect you to be able to solve a totally new question in the limited time you are given to take a test.

Also, don’t skip the review session for the first test. Go to it and see how it is structured. Sometimes the prof will tell you what to expect and sometimes it is just a question-answer session. You don’t want to find out after your test that the review session was helpful. And if it wasn’t helpful, go to future review sessions for only the first 5-10 mins, because your prof may have changed the structure to be more helpful. Otherwise, leave and don’t waste time. Physics takes a lot of work, especially calc-based physics in science/tech universities. Don’t take it lightly.

But also, you have to understand how physics is taught at your particular college. my classes were problem-based so this technique worked.

Yes. I got perfect scores in physics. I studied day and night. I also formed study groups and got some tutoring and the best resource is to ask the T.A.s questions.

well my friend just reads the physics textbook and gets a 4.0