- #1
jca0713
- 1
- 0
I'm a second year university student, however I switched to a physics major this year. Currently I'm in calculus 3 and the intro mechanics course. I'm doing really well in calc 3 and I'm finding I'd rather do that homework most days because it makes more sense to me.
I'm struggling with mechanics because I have no idea how to go about solving problems. I understand the equations and I am very good at math in general, but for some reason I look at a problem in physics and just feel panicked because I have no idea what I need to use or even what the problem is asking me.
I've been interested in physics for a very long time and I'm excited to learn it but I feel like an idiot when I try to do my homework and have to get help for nearly every problem. I'm worried that maybe I chose the wrong major if I can't even understand what's going on in classical mechanics. Our first exam is next week and I just had a horrible anxiety attack because I feel that I have not learned a single thing yet.
For mechanics, I read the chapters ahead of time, take notes during the lectures, work the problem sets, and then copy the notes again but I still have no idea what I'm doing. I just bought a copy of Schaum's Outlines and tried emailing a tutor. I'm going to go to my professors office hours on Monday but honestly I'm not even sure where to start with what I should ask him about.
Does it get any easier to understand what problems are asking or did I just pick the wrong major? I'm stressed out because I'm already going to graduate a semester late, and I don't know what I'd do if I needed to switch majors but I really want to stick to physics. Is it okay if I struggle with mechanics as a physics major or does that mean I'm screwed for the rest of my career? I'm honestly just looking for advice and maybe some encouragement that I didn't mess up my life by becoming a physics major.
I'm struggling with mechanics because I have no idea how to go about solving problems. I understand the equations and I am very good at math in general, but for some reason I look at a problem in physics and just feel panicked because I have no idea what I need to use or even what the problem is asking me.
I've been interested in physics for a very long time and I'm excited to learn it but I feel like an idiot when I try to do my homework and have to get help for nearly every problem. I'm worried that maybe I chose the wrong major if I can't even understand what's going on in classical mechanics. Our first exam is next week and I just had a horrible anxiety attack because I feel that I have not learned a single thing yet.
For mechanics, I read the chapters ahead of time, take notes during the lectures, work the problem sets, and then copy the notes again but I still have no idea what I'm doing. I just bought a copy of Schaum's Outlines and tried emailing a tutor. I'm going to go to my professors office hours on Monday but honestly I'm not even sure where to start with what I should ask him about.
Does it get any easier to understand what problems are asking or did I just pick the wrong major? I'm stressed out because I'm already going to graduate a semester late, and I don't know what I'd do if I needed to switch majors but I really want to stick to physics. Is it okay if I struggle with mechanics as a physics major or does that mean I'm screwed for the rest of my career? I'm honestly just looking for advice and maybe some encouragement that I didn't mess up my life by becoming a physics major.