dropping physics after the 5th week of class...will leave me part-time...will it ruin my chances?

[tms01234]

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hi everyone...I don't really know where to start...sorry if this post is hard to follow 🙁

I decided to take 15 credits this semester (all major-related psych courses and physics I with lab) I realize now that I will probably fail physics because of how poor my math skills are and how accelerated the course is compared to what I thought it was going to be.

I met with my advisor earlier this semester and she even told me that pre-calc was not required but was strongly suggested for these types of courses. We discussed that even though I got a C+ in college algebra and trig, I did well in my inorganic chemistry courses and that ‘I should be okay in physics’. college algebra (which I took over the summer two years ago) was a pain in the ass but not impossible… I failed the first exam miserably because I didn't know how to study for college math properly and did okay on everything else even though my instructor was terrible…but no grade replacement with my final exam, giving me a C+. I agreed with the advisor and thought that I would be okay with physics; I already knew that I would have to study hard and that if I needed help that I would get it...

btw this is algebra based physics that I’m taking! :/

I was wrong. Having never taken physics or even accelerated math courses in high school, I discovered by the third week of class (basically last week) that I was completely lost. I have spent hours and hours studying the stupid textbook. Going to lecture and quiz class is pointless, but I go anyways and take as many notes as possible in hope that *somehow* it'll help me. The professor that I currently have is an emergency replacement for the professor that I had originally registered for; he has a really thick accent and poor English (I have no idea what he is saying 98% of the time) and is always unorganized, barely does practice problems with us and when he does, only does half of the problem, skips steps because he assumes that we already know the stuff...etc. I could go on. Quiz class is the same. We go over the concepts (more like rush through them) and then are given the most difficult story problems from the chapter; I cannot do the story problems by myself. I feel like my problem solving skills are very poor as well as my math and I get extremely confused at every single story problem that I encounter…and even when I see the worked out solution, nothing seems to make sense… I am 100% lost and confused in this class as of right now, it has been stressing me out so much ): I have been to office hours for my TA and have even gone to a tutor ( family friend who has a PhD in mechanical engineering)…they told me to drop the class and improve on my math skills, take pre-calculus and review basic high school level physics before coming back.

I probably should have added that tutoring and using other resources have not been helping me at all either. I am still confused, and most of my problems are attributed to my poor math background ):

I just feel so dumb because this is ALGEBRA BASED PHYSICS but I am also completely sure that I probably won’t pass this time around. If I drop the class right now it will not show up on my transcript, but unfortunately will leave me part time for this semester (with 11 credits…minimum for full time is 12). It is too late to register for another science class like orgo II or something, otherwise I would ): I still plan on graduating on time (Dec 2015) and will probably have to take summer classes too…
I want to know how much this will affect my chances if I actually go through with this and drop the class. the class won’t show up on my transcript…but only having 11 credits will show. I’ve had light course loads in the past and so this is my main concern as well…even though I plan on taking heavier course loads in the future anyways. This is such a crap situation. Advice would be greatly appreciated ):

 

[SN12357]

Well, dropping the class and having a light course load is definitely preferable to keeping the class and ending up with an F, so your choice looks pretty clear to me. Drop it and improve your math skills before attempting it again.

I doubt that the light course load will be a problem as long as you do have other full-time semesters.

 

[Oso]

I agree with the above. Dropping your status to part time for one semester will not ruin your chances, but an F may seriously damage your GPA and hurt your chances.

So drop the class, take pre-calc and really practice practice practice to improve your math skills. When you're ready, take the class again (ideally with a good prof this time). Studying the text book over and over again is only helpful to a certain extent, so make sure you're also trying lots of practice problems and continue to utilize office hours and tutoring. Good luck.

 

[The Kraken]

Khan academy on YouTube has a great lecture on every single undergrad physics topic you will cover. If you don't understand something, seek tutoring and especially change study habits if they aren't working. You have tons of resources available to you, use them.

 

[tms01234]

Khan academy on YouTube has a great lecture on every single undergrad physics topic you will cover. If you don't understand something, seek tutoring and especially change study habits if they aren't working. You have tons of resources available to you, use them.

It's not just about study skills or habits that I need to improve on, I study for this class for around 4-5 hours every single day and read the text, go over my notes and try to do problems. I literally do not understand the material or how to set up and solve any of the problems on my own and have extremely poor math skills from my poor math background... and have utilized every bit of help available to me (including office hours and tutoring... and yes, even Khan Academy for this class). Even with all of the tutoring and help that I have received, my math skills are still not strong enough for this class and I still do not have the math capabilities that are required. I still don't even know if it's a good idea to risk maybe a chance at getting a C in this class or preparing myself better for next time...

 

[13132]

Don't know about how it will affect you med school chances, but definitely make sure you don't lose any scholarships. My scholarships were contingent on being a full time students, and dropping below the amount of credits required for full time would have caused me to lose them.

 

[NuttyEngDude]

Don't know about how it will affect you med school chances, but definitely make sure you don't lose any scholarships. My scholarships were contingent on being a full time students, and dropping below the amount of credits required for full time would have caused me to lose them.

This was the main concern at my school when kids dropped classes. The worry of a light load one semester could be offset by evidence of a heavy load another semester.

 

[tms01234]

This was the main concern at my school when kids dropped classes. The worry of a light load one semester could be offset by evidence of a heavy load another semester.

exactly what I plan on doing in the future anyways 🙂

 

[amazing tekkers]

I'd recommend that you drop it. Take a math class in the summer to improve math skills. Then try physics again.

 

[Jewels86]

"I decided to take 15 credits this semester":
You're a glutton for punishment!!

"met with my advisor...she even told me that pre-calc was not required but was strongly suggested..."
I'm taking precalc right now and yes, I see my cruddy algebra-based physics in it. Yes, it will help.

"...We discussed that even though I got a C+ in college algebra and trig, I did well in my inorganic chemistry courses and that ‘I should be okay in physics’. college algebra (which I took over the summer two years ago) was a pain in the tush 🙂 but not impossible… I failed the first exam miserably... my instructor was terrible…but no grade replacement with my final exam, giving me a C+....I already knew that I would have to study hard and that if I needed help that I would get it..."

You need a fluffy teddy bear hug 🙂

"I was wrong. Having never taken physics or even accelerated math courses in high school, I discovered by the third week of class (basically last week) that I was completely lost....they told me to drop the class and improve on my math skills, take pre-calculus and review basic high school level physics before coming back."

Your teacher sucks. Plain and simple. Mr. Miyagi said, "No such thing as bad student. Only bad teacher." Your teacher sucks.

"I just feel so dumb because this is ALGEBRA BASED PHYSICS but I am also completely sure that I probably won’t pass this time around."

Algebra-based physics is for people whom are conceptual thinkers. I am not. That is why I stopped the madness and took pre-calc and then will take calc just to take cruddy physics 2. Not thrilled about this detour but if this is what I want to do, this is what needs to be done for me.

"This is such a crap situation"

Major fluffy teddy bear hug needed!!

You are overwhelming yourself. Trippin' over this is only going to make you spin out on your other courses. I suck at conceptual anything. It's not my gift. I'm coming to the conclusion it's not your gift either. You may need at least one term of calc then tackle algebra-based physics. Why...because I'm seeing physics in precalc (and chemistry as well).

Keep your eye on the ball; you will make it. When you get as old as me, it won't matter anymore because you would have already hit your target. Slow down, if you have to graduate in May 2016, so be it. It's all relative. Take pre-calc, calc 1 and then try physics again. You are not dumb; you need to approach this from a different perspective.

Think about this...you want to become a physician. Physician's deal with patients. Patients are not sweet obedient people who will do what you say. They will tell you to take a leap and will offer you the directions to the ledge. You will need to break through that since, you want to become a physician and physicians deal with patients. You'll have to approach your patient from a different angle. Telling that patient, "You have a infarct" to someone who doesn't give a rip requires a different approach. So is this...you have to approach your journey from a different angle. Take precalc, calc 1 and then do algebra-based physics. It will make more sense to you and only you.

Blessings!

 

[911 Turbo]

You may need at least one term of calc then tackle algebra-based physics. Why...because I'm seeing physics in precalc (and chemistry as well).

wut