Allergic to the Physical Sciences

[tikanisynaru]

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I fair well in my biology classes (A's), but admittedly, I seem to be allergic to chemistry and physics. I know the formulas, and I know the algebra, but I just can't figure out how to solve the problems (as these classes very problem solving heavy at my university).

It's like I stare at the problem and I can pick out a few units of importance, but I don't know where to start. And if I do know where to start, I generally have trouble seeing the steps or process to do next in order to come out to the right answer.

So does anyone else seem to freeze up like this? What can I do? I know the best way to study these classes is to do the problems, but easier said than done when I don't know where or how to start!

What exercises can I do to ease me into this type of problem solving thinking? Is there any online sources that can help? Thank you

How can I train myself to be a more effective problem solver?

 

[WeasleMD]

My first guess would be to seek some private tutoring though I may be biased as I've tutored extensively for the last three years. Some one-on-one time with an experienced tutor should be able to locate exactly why you're having trouble with these problems even though it seems like you have the basic knowledge to solve them.

 

[DinoSaysRawr]

http://www.freelance-teacher.com/videos.htm I think this guy is fantastic. I use him for Physics, but he does all types of science related subjects.

In my opinion, it sounds like you're a sequential learner. 🙂

 

[tiedyeddog]

OP, the key here is thinking like an athelete. How do they prepare for that game winning shot with time running out? They practice, practice, practice. You need to do as many problems as possible and figure out your mindset while you so it. You want to develop a mindset and use it on test day.

For example, for a given type of physics question, say a problem involving gravity, you make a chart or something like that and then go from there. Figure out what works best.

It would probably be a good idea to go see a professor or ta and flat out ask them to work you through some problems. You don't want the answers. You want to see how they get from point a to z.

After all, like in the real world, knowing facts just to know them is dumb. You learn stuff so you can piece a picture together, to make a diagnosis. A patient doesn't care what causes tay-sachs or tetraology of fallout. They want you to take all of the known facts and synthesize. Hope this helps.

 

[temporality]

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[WeasleMD]

It's practice, practice, practice.

I wouldn't wholly agree with this. I have found that physics, and physical chemistry are best learned by truly understanding rather than practicing questions. There's no doubt that practicing will improve your ability to handle problems, but I think it would ultimately be less work and more rewarding to get a better understanding of the material. This would start with asking why exactly you are unable to answer a problem when you seem to have all the tools you need to crack it.

 

[temporality]

.

 

[Stumpyman]

Haven't taken physics yet, but chemistry is mainly just reading/taking notes on the chapter well enough so you understand it, then implementing that knowledge to problems. Gen Chem is fairly easy though.

 

[temporality]

.

 

[Sesom]

I fair well in my biology classes (A's), but admittedly, I seem to be allergic to chemistry and physics. I know the formulas, and I know the algebra, but I just can't figure out how to solve the problems (as these classes very problem solving heavy at my university).

It's like I stare at the problem and I can pick out a few units of importance, but I don't know where to start. And if I do know where to start, I generally have trouble seeing the steps or process to do next in order to come out to the right answer.

So does anyone else seem to freeze up like this? What can I do? I know the best way to study these classes is to do the problems, but easier said than done when I don't know where or how to start!

What exercises can I do to ease me into this type of problem solving thinking? Is there any online sources that can help? Thank you

How can I train myself to be a more effective problem solver?

I know what you mean, this happens to me. I can fix it by being more prepared and confident for the tests. Also you should exercise if you don't, it's great for the brain.

and never take them in the summer...

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

I used to be like you in Gen chem I and II. For Gen Chem one, my first test was 44%. No curve. I reevaluated my study habits and did the homework extensively and I passed the class with a B+. Due to the craziness of my Chem I professor who was the hardest in my college, I got Chem II down with no problem and got an A+ in the class. It's all about how much you put in work. Some people can get it in one try and some people don't. I was the latter until I started drilling the HW efficiently.

 

[tikanisynaru]

A patient doesn't care what causes tay-sachs or tetraology of fallout. They want you to take all of the known facts and synthesize. Hope this helps.

You're right, this is very true and I have to keep telling myself that.

Read this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=859726

Haha yes, read it 🙂

I know what you mean, this happens to me. I can fix it by being more prepared and confident for the tests. Also you should exercise if you don't, it's great for the brain.

and never take them in the summer...

Yes I do exercise, obviously not as much as I'd like. I only seem to find time on weekends, where I can squeeze in about 12 miles of running. 8 if I'm particularly busy. I agree and what I love about it is how it completely frees my mind, and let's me focus 100% better when I return to studying.

As for summer classes, that's exactly what I did with Gen Chem, which bite me in the butt unforgivably. I had such a rough time with it. And because of it's rapid pace, I didn't have the time to develop those problem solving skills as well as I would've liked (because it just comes so slow to me! But once it clicks, it clicks). I am most likely never going to take a class over the summer again (that is calculation/math based)

In any event, I know it's practice practice practice, but seeing these problems I don't know where to start! Do you think it's because I do not know the concepts well enough to apply them to the problem? Even when I do know the first step or so, I usually end up "taking a wrong turn somewhere," costing me dearly.

But this advice has been very helpful and those video lesson links look promising. Thank you! Maybe starting with the easier "plug n' chugs" and then easing my way slowly into more challenging problems? I am frustrated, however, I am so very eager and determined to get the hang of it and bite these problems back!

 

[avaAdore]

i'm in a similar situation, although chemistry was pretty easy and enjoyable for me whereas physics was terribly difficult.

i'm going to retake physics during my post bac and i'm afraid i STILL won't get it! 🙁

 

[MartletMD]

I wouldn't wholly agree with this. I have found that physics, and physical chemistry are best learned by truly understanding rather than practicing questions. There's no doubt that practicing will improve your ability to handle problems, but I think it would ultimately be less work and more rewarding to get a better understanding of the material. This would start with asking why exactly you are unable to answer a problem when you seem to have all the tools you need to crack it.

It's practice, practice, practice. Out of all the work I did for my college courses, the most time-consuming were physics and organic chemistry problems. It's not something you can just memorize overnight. Essentially, you have to start with the fundamentals and work your way up. If you're missing any vital info, then yeah, you're going to have problems. You have to keep on top of it and study it every day. One thing you can say though, physics and organic chemistry classes make a great opportunity to form the study habits you're going to need in medical school. So,

1) Practice
2) Review and master the fundamentals
3) Review and study every day

Also, there are some great books called "As a Second Language" that span many different difficult topics. The chapters are pretty short, packed with information, and cover all the fundamental topics you could ask for. They also help you develop the train of thought to solve problems.

Heh, and sometimes, you just have to stare at a problem.. rework it, rework it again.. until you make a quantum leap. Gotta love those eureka moments. 🙂

If I can add to the practice bit:

Go over your mistakes carefully. See EXACTLY where you went wrong in your work. Then write this mistake down using a general statement on a list. Collect every mistake you made on your practice problems and keep it next to you as you do some more.

I noticed a HUGE difference in my midterm marks for the ones I did this for in Chemistry last year - the mistakes I made in practice I didn't make on the actual test, and I knew exactly what to look for when I was checking my work. Difference between an A- and a C for me.

 

[Lil Mick]

Do a lot of problems until it becomes natural. That's what most professors did during grad school and what they're doing in their area of research to know the material and process so well.

Also, if you know calculus, consider looking at an advanced book in chem/physics in that area. Seeing the "why" behind it (explained in the process of solving it with calculus) might give you more guidance on where to start 🙂

 

[Morsetlis]

In medical school, I find myself happy whenever I find a cache of well-written practice questions.

 

[Neurosis]

I used to be like you in Gen chem I and II. For Gen Chem one, my first test was 44%. No curve. I reevaluated my study habits and did the homework extensively and I passed the class with a B+. Due to the craziness of my Chem I professor who was the hardest in my college, I got Chem II down with no problem and got an A+ in the class. It's all about how much you put in work. Some people can get it in one try and some people don't. I was the latter until I started drilling the HW efficiently.

i feel like i'm about to repeat this. i personally can't stand chemistry, I enjoy biology though.