r/apphysics • u/Ok_Hedgehog7895 • 11d ago

Need tips for physics/math

/r/highschool/comments/1vuo0ne/need_tips_for_physicsmath/
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u/UnderstandingPursuit 11d ago

A suggestion: write everything down rather than trying to do anything in your head. Even when you can do something in your head, pretend that a friend in class has trouble understanding that thing, so you need to write/say what you are doing to help them.

In both physics and math, there are no "unwritten rules". The core of both, the assumptions, theorems, laws, and properties, are all written down. It goes back to the "explaining to others" part. There are some conventions, like using the variable t for time, and too often, those are not written down. When you find any of these, have a piece of paper with "Math Conventions" and "Physics Conventions", and write them yourself. Occasionally, you can confirm these with someone more experienced in both subjects, such as your teacher from last year or asking here.

Another suggestion: use textbooks for both classes. If your class doesn't use one, post the level/specific subject for each, like Geometry or Algebra 2, and I or others can suggest textbooks.

When using a textbook, "write everything down" returns. I can get into more detail about what is worth writing if you want, and when I know the specifics about your math and physics classes.

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u/Quiet_Basis_6404 4d ago

The unwritten rules thing is a real observation and worth naming, because in physics they're mostly the setup steps nobody writes down. Draw the situation, label what you know, decide which principle applies, and only then reach for an equation. Teachers skip that out loud because it's automatic for them, so it looks like everyone else just knows.

For slow processing, the fix isn't going faster, it's cutting how much you're processing. Fewer problems done properly beats many done rushed.

The teacher change is worth taking seriously though. If she was part of why maths clicked, ask if she does help sessions or office hours anyway.

I use studybuddy.vc for practice, mostly because it starts easier and only ramps up once you're solid, which suited me better than being dropped into hard problems. Equations show up properly too. Free.