Tuesday, August 31, 2010

How to be successful in Physics

In order to be successful in physics, there are five things you have to focus on. First of all, Class Time Success. You need to come prepared to class every day with your assignments, notes, calculator, ruler and pencil. You can't forget this stuff because if you have to go to your locker to get it, you are wasting class time. Every minute of class time is valuable and you have to cherish the time you have. Don't just listen because you have to, focus on everything Mrs. Gende says and make sure you are enjoying it. The more you are engaged in class, the better.


The second thing that will make your time in physics class more successful is to be successful in reading. You need to read the information as if it is the most important thing ever. All notes and learning resources will help you greatly. Read everything and highlight and underline and annotate, it will help you greatly. After reading, study what you read and be POSITIVE that you know it.

Another thing that will help you be successful in physics is keeping up with your assignments. Make sure you check the website so that you don’t miss out on any FUN assignments that Mrs. Gende assigns us. Use a planner of some sort to write it down and use the web as a backup. If you keep up with all of your assignments.... you will be ENTERTAINED while at home since they are sooooooo FUN and you will never be behind. Refer to the wiki as much as possible because it is AWESOME and is a great resource. Make sure you understand everything because if you don't, you won't get it in class.... which will then make you only have fun instead of A TON OF FUN!!!

Also make sure you can solve problems successfully. Learn all the symbols and vocab so that you can understand all of the variables and units. Read over the problem so that you know what you are getting into, then slowly break down the problem and solve it. Follow these four rules:

1. Data and unknown: write down what is given and what you need to solve for.
Check for the units. Do you need to make any unit conversion?
This is the place to do it.
If the problem is unclear, try drawing a simple sketch of the situation.
2. Equation: Write down the equation and solve it for the unknown if needed.
Do not just plug in numbers and solve, this method will not earn complete credit
for your solution.
3. Substitute the values into the equations.
4. Check if your answer is reasonable and then write it down with the units.
Also always use your calculator it will help you greatly. If you use your calculator and make a great graph with great labels, you will be successful.

The final thing that will make you successful is being organized everyday, studying hard for every test, being as self-sufficient as possible, and ask questions, don’t be afraid. Always communicate with Mrs. Gende because she is THE BEST TEACHER IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD WHEN IT COMES TO PHYSICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!