What should I expect when taking physics for the first time?

[Lolz666]

Hello everyone,
I'm currently going to a community college after being out of school for 5 years. Next semester I'm taking Calculus 2 and Physics 5 (the first part of a 3 part calculus based physics sequence) along with 2 philosophy courses.

I was wondering what to expect, I never took physics in my life and my high school never offered it. What should I expect in the first semester and especially a lab, I don't think I've ever taken a science lab in my life. Am I doomed to struggle in physics? Should I prepare during winter break?

Any advice will be much appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[member 392791]

Not going to eat around the bush, without some exposure you will probably struggle. There is definitely a learning curve involved with physics

 

[davidw00t]

I took physics in high school and hated it so much that I stopped going after the first week. During college I read a few of Carl Sagan's books (and fell in love with science) and took calculus so I decided to give it another shot. The first month of Physics 1 w/calculus was the hardest in my college career, but after that I breezed through Physics 1, 2, and 3. Since it is your first exposure to physics you will have to literally create new pathways in your brain, which, unless you are naturally gifted at physics, will be a slow and painful process. However, after that it may be the most enjoyable class you've ever taken.

My advice is to make sure you understand the first few or five chapters of the book very well. A lot of the people in my physics 1 class seemed cocky at first because they had seen the material before in high school, but by the midterm half of the class was gone, while I was still there despite never having taken a physics class before. I ended up making an A while everyone else I was friends with in the class made excuses (the instructor grades too hard, etc.) and didn't fare as well.

Just make sure to struggle in the beginning and you'll be all right. Most of the ones who don't struggle in the beginning are inevitably the ones who don't fare well. There are exceptions, obviously.

 

[Lolz666]

Thanks yall! I think Ill stick with just calculus and physics, my counselor wanted to put me in chem also but I think that's a little bit too much for me for one semester. Ill definitely look over some key concepts over the winter break, I guess I should start the struggle early.

 

[Matrix0]

Hello and welcome to the world of physics! It's great that you are taking on this challenge and pursuing your education after being out of school for a few years. Physics can be a challenging subject, but with dedication and hard work, you can definitely succeed.

In your first semester, you can expect to learn the basic principles and concepts of physics, such as mechanics, motion, forces, and energy. You will also likely have some hands-on experience in the lab, where you will apply these concepts and principles to real-world experiments.

As for preparing during winter break, it's always a good idea to review any material that you may have covered in your calculus course that will be relevant to your physics class. This will help you have a stronger foundation and make connections between the two subjects.

Don't worry if you have never taken a science lab before. Your instructor will guide you through the process and provide you with the necessary skills and tools to succeed. Just be sure to pay attention, ask questions, and take good notes during lab sessions.

Finally, don't be discouraged if you struggle at first. Physics can be challenging, but with persistence and hard work, you can overcome any difficulties and excel in the subject. Make use of any resources available to you, such as tutoring, study groups, and office hours with your instructor.

Good luck with your studies and enjoy your journey into the world of physics!