Frik, I hate physics...

[Juicec]

There is about 15 other threads with this title over the years, but I feel like I hate it the most so I had to make my own thread.

I was originally pursuing BME until I ran into a brick wall with my university changing the curriculum over the summer leaving me with 3 years instead of 2 to complete my undergrad. Being in engineering I took a calc based physics class, through many, many pounds of my blood, sweat and tears I got an A. WTF was pretty much my response but hey, I'm a happy guy. I hated it so much I can't even begin to describe the pain I went through every day. Having said that, I just finished my second week of calc physics II (summer term, WTF?!). Seems as though I'm pretty ******ed with my course selections but as it turns out it was the only class time that fit with my research schedule this summer. Now with that said, I'm pretty sure this prof gives out average test grades of ~30% and a huge curve/extra credit. His defense is that he cannot teach the material in 7 weeks and give "normal" tests.

Despite if I agree or disagree my concern is the fact that my GPA currently is ~3.98 and a C will nuke it. But I'm on the verge of accepting my fate as a C student if it will allow me to never have to take a physics class for the rest of my life. Who knows, maybe a miracle will tuck me into bed tonight and leave me with an A 5 weeks from now when this class completes, but if not is it STUPID to accept the C and take the GPA hit if I could avoid it (possibly?) in a longer term semester or perhaps not calc based? (I don't really know how much difference the calc makes, I got A's in my previous calc courses).

Its important to note I am also a junior so I have a good amount of classes under my belt to support the weight of a C (lowest grade to date is a B+). Its also important to note the only reason I decided to take on the pain of physics over the summer was so I could leave my April (next year) relatively light as to study and take my MCAT.

Please also note, I am aware that I am blowing this out of proportion, "we all have to do it." But I hate it so much that I simply cannot pull up my socks and put on my try hat any more. Looking forward to some fantastic advice or perhaps a copy of the final exam, either or will work for me at this point.

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[DeltaPlaya]

There is about 15 other threads with this title over the years, but I feel like I hate it the most so I had to make my own thread.

I was originally pursuing BME until I ran into a brick wall with my university changing the curriculum over the summer leaving me with 3 years instead of 2 to complete my undergrad. Being in engineering I took a calc based physics class, through many, many pounds of my blood, sweat and tears I got an A. WTF was pretty much my response but hey, I'm a happy guy. I hated it so much I can't even begin to describe the pain I went through every day. Having said that, I just finished my second week of calc physics II (summer term, WTF?!). Seems as though I'm pretty ******ed with my course selections but as it turns out it was the only class time that fit with my research schedule this summer. Now with that said, I'm pretty sure this prof gives out average test grades of ~30% and a huge curve/extra credit. His defense is that he cannot teach the material in 7 weeks and give "normal" tests.

Despite if I agree or disagree my concern is the fact that my GPA currently is ~3.98 and a C will nuke it. But I'm on the verge of accepting my fate as a C student if it will allow me to never have to take a physics class for the rest of my life. Who knows, maybe a miracle will tuck me into bed tonight and leave me with an A 5 weeks from now when this class completes, but if not is it STUPID to accept the C and take the GPA hit if I could avoid it (possibly?) in a longer term semester or perhaps not calc based? (I don't really know how much difference the calc makes, I got A's in my previous calc courses).

Its important to note I am also a junior so I have a good amount of classes under my belt to support the weight of a C (lowest grade to date is a B+). Its also important to note the only reason I decided to take on the pain of physics over the summer was so I could leave my April (next year) relatively light as to study and take my MCAT.

Please also note, I am aware that I am blowing this out of proportion, "we all have to do it." But I hate it so much that I simply cannot pull up my socks and put on my try hat any more. Looking forward to some fantastic advice or perhaps a copy of the final exam, either or will work for me at this point.

why not just take the extra year to pursue BME? an extra year of undegrad isnt gonna kill ya, heck its an extra year to enjoy life.


EDIT: and as for physics, i think if you will be fine when it comes to the MCAT, learn your physics over the summer or which ever way you want to, just prepare well when your studying for the MCAT Physics section and go over weak concepts.

 

[Long Way to Go]

If you have a 3.98 after ~20 classes, a single C will drop your GPA to somewhere like a 3.90. If I were in your place, I think I would just try to finish physics and get it over with. (Try not get a C- though, most schools allow you to have a C- or below in a prerequisite class).

 

[Godric]

Your GPA will still be relatively high...I am not sure why your freaking out. I am taking Physics I right now, its a pain in the ass but the thought of getting it over with is deff better than dragging it out over a whole year. Also if you really dont want your precious GPA to take a hit, then drop the class, and loose your money but avoid a C. I am assuming you have never dropped a class before so up to 3 Ws cant hurt. Good luck.

 

[Ride Big Sky]

Assuming you get actually get a C in this class there is a slight possibility that one of your many interviewers could possibly bring it up in passing. Yes, getting a C can suck, but in the greater scheme of things it's nothing and should have such a minimal impact on your application that it's not worth stressing about. Have a beer and relax (if you're of age of course)😛

 

[Juicec]

Its not even that the material is "hard" but rather its just so discouraging. The only advantage I see in the way physics is currently thought is it greatly increases your problem solving skills. As for actually learning physics, I believe the basic concepts, similar to ones seen on the MCAT can be learned with a very simple paragraph or two.

On any note, I dislike it enough to eat the C and call it a day. I've worked hard enough for 2 years to call it a day when it comes to this.

In response to the BME, well, yeah I wouldn't mind finishing it up with an additional year but those extra 3 physics classes are now a no go. Appreciate the words of wisdom though.

 

[pfaction]

I hate Physics with all my being, and I'm with you all the way. I have a C+ and I'm not giving two f's about it. Keep the GPA high, and you'll make it.

 

[Juicec]

I hate Physics with all my being, and I'm with you all the way. I have a C+ and I'm not giving two f's about it. Keep the GPA high, and you'll make it.

We should have a physics get together in 5 weeks from now. We can swap horror stories and think of reasons to tell med school why our physics grades are so low other then it being the worst subject known to modern man.

 

[NightGod]

A single C is going to make about >< much difference in the long run and having it finished will increase your general enjoyment of life far more. Take the C and enjoy your last couple years.

 

[Snuke]

This could have been me last summer. Walked into summer class of calc-level Physics IIat an engineering school with nothing lower than a B+. Plus I was studying for an August MCAT. Much blood, sweat, and tears, to go around.

You probably won't get a C, if that helps. I don't think anyone in my class got lower than a B or B-, and we had the same situation. Low, low tests around 30. I eventually gave up, took the class on a P/F, and retook it during the semester.

Even if you do get a C, it's not the end of it, and it certainly won't sink your chances.

Just breathe!

 

[Juicec]

In physics "><" could be integrated across some charged disk, infinitesimal wire or some other ******ed shape to equal infinity C's for a billion million light years.

AHHH 😱

 

[PressPforPi]

Not to hijack your thread or anything, but I'd like some info regarding Physics. I like reading about Physics related concepts - like Stephen Hawking's book, "The Grand Design." I was really interested in the ideas behind the Bucky ball experiments, M Theory, and even ideas behind Quantum Suicide. My question is, are any of these things even touched in Physics 1 and 2? Or will I be facing something different or "less interesting," if you will. Again, sorry to hijack, but I'd like to get someone's opinion who has already taken Physics.

 

[Juicec]

Not to hijack your thread or anything, but I'd like some info regarding Physics. I like reading about Physics related concepts - like Stephen Hawking's book, "The Grand Design." I was really interested in the ideas behind the Bucky ball experiments, M Theory, and even ideas behind Quantum Suicide. My question is, are any of these things even touched in Physics 1 and 2? Or will I be facing something different or "less interesting," if you will. Again, sorry to hijack, but I'd like to get someone's opinion who has already taken Physics.

Nothing good regarding physics will be discussed in this thread, that said I feel comfortable answering your question.

No. Nothing. Absolutely nothing interesting will be discussed. You will figure out how much "pushing" you have to do to get a rolling ball from A or B. You will turn that ball into a cylinder, then a hollow cylinder then put it on a ramp then put it going backwards on a ramp then put it swinging in the air vertically then swing it in the air horizontally. Thats physics I.

Physics II, you can take those same objects and put them close to magnets and charges and figure out how many electrons will jump from one to another, or figure out random fields in the middle of no where.

That should be the syllabus rewritten. Good luck!

Edit: As a follow up, those questions are actually discussed in depth in ethics of physics courses or something of the like. Occasionally a prof will touch on it if they are interested in it, but 9.99 times out of 10 you will never hear about it.

 

[PressPforPi]

Nothing good regarding physics will be discussed in this thread, that said I feel comfortable answering your question.

No. Nothing. Absolutely nothing interesting will be discussed. You will figure out how much "pushing" you have to do to get a rolling ball from A or B. You will turn that ball into a cylinder, then a hollow cylinder then put it on a ramp then put it going backwards on a ramp then put it swinging in the air vertically then swing it in the air horizontally. Thats physics I.

Physics II, you can take those same objects and put them close to magnets and charges and figure out how many electrons will jump from one to another, or figure out random fields in the middle of no where.

That should be the syllabus rewritten. Good luck!

LOL very informative. And thank you!

 

[pfaction]

We barely covered fluids and density in Physics I.

Sweeeeeeet A bro!

 

[Snuke]

What about kinematics? You know, the important things? 😱

 

[Juicec]

We barely covered fluids and density in Physics I.

Sweeeeeeet A bro!

Damnit, I forgot to mention that you can also put those random shapes in water in Physics I. Good call, thanks for the save.

I also know how fast a rocket needs to go to be able to never come back to earth, pretty sweet eh. I'm going to tell all my patients the time I spent on learning how much the rocket fuel weighed in that scenario and not on human anatomy because it wasn't a prereq.

 

[JESSFALLING]

Nothing good regarding physics will be discussed in this thread, that said I feel comfortable answering your question.

No. Nothing. Absolutely nothing interesting will be discussed. You will figure out how much "pushing" you have to do to get a rolling ball from A or B. You will turn that ball into a cylinder, then a hollow cylinder then put it on a ramp then put it going backwards on a ramp then put it swinging in the air vertically then swing it in the air horizontally. Thats physics I.

Physics II, you can take those same objects and put them close to magnets and charges and figure out how many electrons will jump from one to another, or figure out random fields in the middle of no where.

That should be the syllabus rewritten. Good luck!

Edit: As a follow up, those questions are actually discussed in depth in ethics of physics courses or something of the like. Occasionally a prof will touch on it if they are interested in it, but 9.99 times out of 10 you will never hear about it.

Makes me glad I get my physics from the Feynman lectures 🙂

 

[Juicec]

What about kinematics? You know, the important things? 😱

OK OK, so you can also put those same shapes and throw them off a cliff.

One really good one was we had a bear on a tight rope going to get a basket of cookies and we had to figure out the tension on the rope towards the wall from the end of the tight rope. The whole time I was just thinking, man, this bear loves his cookies. Then I calculated that the rope would break and I was just like, man, the bear died for his cookies.

Physics I is a depressing time for us all.

 

[pfaction]

I think Physics is used in blood, lungs, brain. Not sure about the other parts, from my friend's PA physiology it looks like that's it.

And I don't even think it's used often. Physics is a worthless subject for pre-meds. I hate it so much. And this is just Physics I, where we were taught half the material.

 

[Snuke]

You know, I disliked Physics I with a passion until I got to Physics II. Then I missed it with an even deeper passion. At least Physics I is understandable, sorta. All the fields and everything in Physics II is... not.

 

[Juicec]

You know, I disliked Physics I with a passion until I got to Physics II. Then I missed it with an even deeper passion. At least Physics I is understandable, sorta. All the fields and everything in Physics II is... not.

haha yeah exactly, THE ONLY TIME PHYSICS I IS GOOD, is when you're in physics II. I just made a fact.

 

[235788]

boo hoo. If you deserve to get into med school you will. I didn't mind physics, but then again I didn't take it during the summer. Summer = 7th circle of hell.

 

[sonia1177]

There is about 15 other threads with this title over the years, but I feel like I hate it the most so I had to make my own thread.

I was originally pursuing BME until I ran into a brick wall with my university changing the curriculum over the summer leaving me with 3 years instead of 2 to complete my undergrad. Being in engineering I took a calc based physics class, through many, many pounds of my blood, sweat and tears I got an A. WTF was pretty much my response but hey, I'm a happy guy. I hated it so much I can't even begin to describe the pain I went through every day. Having said that, I just finished my second week of calc physics II (summer term, WTF?!). Seems as though I'm pretty ******ed with my course selections but as it turns out it was the only class time that fit with my research schedule this summer. Now with that said, I'm pretty sure this prof gives out average test grades of ~30% and a huge curve/extra credit. His defense is that he cannot teach the material in 7 weeks and give "normal" tests.

Despite if I agree or disagree my concern is the fact that my GPA currently is ~3.98 and a C will nuke it. But I'm on the verge of accepting my fate as a C student if it will allow me to never have to take a physics class for the rest of my life. Who knows, maybe a miracle will tuck me into bed tonight and leave me with an A 5 weeks from now when this class completes, but if not is it STUPID to accept the C and take the GPA hit if I could avoid it (possibly?) in a longer term semester or perhaps not calc based? (I don't really know how much difference the calc makes, I got A's in my previous calc courses).

Its important to note I am also a junior so I have a good amount of classes under my belt to support the weight of a C (lowest grade to date is a B+). Its also important to note the only reason I decided to take on the pain of physics over the summer was so I could leave my April (next year) relatively light as to study and take my MCAT.

Please also note, I am aware that I am blowing this out of proportion, "we all have to do it." But I hate it so much that I simply cannot pull up my socks and put on my try hat any more. Looking forward to some fantastic advice or perhaps a copy of the final exam, either or will work for me at this point.

Don't take risks you don't have to take. If you can take the class over the year and not run the risk of harming your GPA in any way, then do that. Your GPA is good and I know others are saying that "nothing" will happen if you get a C (your GPA drops to close to a 3.90, still excellent). But it still may be a cause of concern because it is not consistent with your other grades (I assume pretty much all A's). You are a straight A student, you have obviously proven yourself as capable. The other thing is, I also found Physics II (Electromagnetism + Optics) relatively difficult in the beginning. Gauss's law, Faraday's Law, Lenz's Law, etc. come very naturally to some people and to others, it just doesn't. to me, it didn't. All I can suggest is, if you have to stick with the course, then solve as many practice problems as you possibly can. You will then get to a point where you see the pattern and will be able to solve any problem thrown at you. Also consider getting a tutor.

 

[Juicec]

I appreciate the somewhat? comforting responses lol. I really do. I just have to buckle down and get it done, but man do I hate it.

I am looking forward to the end of July when I will return to SDN and grace all of you wonderful folks with a much happier and pleasant Juicec.

Speak soon!

 

[TheMightySmiter]

FWIW, I thought Physics II was way easier and more interesting than Physics I. 🙂 They are different enough that many people who struggle with Physics I excel at II, and vice versa.

If I were you, I'd just suck it up and take a C if you have to. It'll be a minor blip on your record, but I think Physics II is the prerequisite least applicable to med school so it won't matter all that much.

 

[kpcrew]

I feel your pain, I got a B- in physics and it really killed my grade. But your gpa will still be very high and way above the average for all schools, so you shouldn't worry too much about it. One grade will not make or break you at all, especially if you are equally impressive on the MCAT and have good LORs, ECs., etc.

 

[Dzerzhinsky]

One really good one was we had a bear on a tight rope going to get a basket of cookies and we had to figure out the tension on the rope towards the wall from the end of the tight rope. The whole time I was just thinking, man, this bear loves his cookies. Then I calculated that the rope would break and I was just like, man, the bear died for his cookies.

I am in summer Physics I right now. Uncurved Physics I. We have our second test on Wednesday. I need to do more problems, but I can't stop laughing at this.

 

[NightGod]

In physics "><" could be integrated across some charged disk, infinitesimal wire or some other ******ed shape to equal infinity C's for a billion million light years.

AHHH 😱

ROFLMAO! Thanks for the laugh~

 

[eugenierose]

ok ok, so you can also put those same shapes and throw them off a cliff.

One really good one was we had a bear on a tight rope going to get a basket of cookies and we had to figure out the tension on the rope towards the wall from the end of the tight rope. The whole time i was just thinking, man, this bear loves his cookies. Then i calculated that the rope would break and i was just like, man, the bear died for his cookies.

Physics i is a depressing time for us all.

greatest post evar.

 

[jam3rz]

Not to hijack your thread or anything, but I'd like some info regarding Physics. I like reading about Physics related concepts - like Stephen Hawking's book, "The Grand Design." I was really interested in the ideas behind the Bucky ball experiments, M Theory, and even ideas behind Quantum Suicide. My question is, are any of these things even touched in Physics 1 and 2? Or will I be facing something different or "less interesting," if you will. Again, sorry to hijack, but I'd like to get someone's opinion who has already taken Physics.

lol. i was a physics major during undergrad, and even in all the upper division physics classes i took, none of these things were even mentioned in passing.

 

[Juicec]

I am in summer Physics I right now. Uncurved Physics I. We have our second test on Wednesday. I need to do more problems, but I can't stop laughing at this.

Physics and the pain it brings is no laughing matter my friend. I am however glad I was able to bring a smile to your otherwise dark and bleak looking life (yes your life is bleak right now, do not argue me).

On the plus side, if your prof decides to have mercy on you, you might escape with a random grade they choose to give you (because yeah, its random, just randomly memorized the exact same questions that were on a test, and hopefully it wont be one of those stupid curvy letters either). AND ONLY one more ring of hell (phys II) to get through before the world is your oyster!

 

[zeppelinpage4]

From your post, it sounds like everyone is struggling in the class. It's possible the professor may curve a little. I took the calc-based physics and thought I bombed the first two tests but what I thought would be a C ended up becoming a B with some generous partial credits and curves from the professor. He even gave a somewhat easier third exam to make up for the first two, so it's hard to gauge how you might do right at the start. Stick to it and don't give, you'll feel great when it's finished. Best of luck.

 

[element50]

Nothing good regarding physics will be discussed in this thread, that said I feel comfortable answering your question.

No. Nothing. Absolutely nothing interesting will be discussed. You will figure out how much "pushing" you have to do to get a rolling ball from A or B. You will turn that ball into a cylinder, then a hollow cylinder then put it on a ramp then put it going backwards on a ramp then put it swinging in the air vertically then swing it in the air horizontally. Thats physics I.

Physics II, you can take those same objects and put them close to magnets and charges and figure out how many electrons will jump from one to another, or figure out random fields in the middle of no where.

That should be the syllabus rewritten. Good luck!

Edit: As a follow up, those questions are actually discussed in depth in ethics of physics courses or something of the like. Occasionally a prof will touch on it if they are interested in it, but 9.99 times out of 10 you will never hear about it.

This is Awesome.

Holy moly I just finished my second test in Physics 2 and I bet its somewhere around a 50 or less. I am pretty sure that this is going to be my worst grade yet somewhere around a C too. I feel for you for sure.

 

[element50]

Correction, THIS is Awesome.

OK OK, so you can also put those same shapes and throw them off a cliff.

One really good one was we had a bear on a tight rope going to get a basket of cookies and we had to figure out the tension on the rope towards the wall from the end of the tight rope. The whole time I was just thinking, man, this bear loves his cookies. Then I calculated that the rope would break and I was just like, man, the bear died for his cookies.

Physics I is a depressing time for us all.

 

[element50]

I needed this thread for sure.

 

[Endolas]

I'm a physics major taking physics II this Summer, so I'm getting a kick out of this thread.

First test = 105% Laawwwl.

 

[alucidinterval]

I'm a physics major taking physics II this Summer, so I'm getting a kick out of this thread.

First test = 105% Laawwwl.

Haha this. I'm taking physics I during summer semester (covers both sessions) and the professor asked if I had ever considered being a physics major after I got an 109% on the first test and 113% on the second due to the curve. Pretty cool, but makes me feel a bit like this...

 

[Blarry]

I'm a physics major taking physics II this Summer, so I'm getting a kick out of this thread.

First test = 105% Laawwwl.

LOL physics 1 is pretty easy compared to physics 2. physics 1 is just logic + equations. o ya and here is the response you wanted " omg you so smart you got a 105 on physics". Now you can sleep well tonight.

 

[pfaction]

Wow. I'd be estatic with a C right now. If I was asked to get a C and not take the rest of the course, I'd sign right here and now. And I'm only on day 3 of Physics.

 

[Juicec]

Really wish you 100%+ average douche's would get out of this thread. Obviously this is for people who hate physics. I'm not sure if you read the thread or not but I also got an A in physics I (A few 100+ exams without any trouble) and I am here venting about physics II. Physics is hard or easy based largely on the professor. With that said, your future as a physics prof is moot compared to my current physics II dealings and I am not interested in any positive physics outlooks at the moment.

I have 3 weeks left, 50+ hours a week of studying and I am O SO CLOSE to a decent grade. I know all of you are on the edge of your seat, I will let you know as soon as possible!

Long live the death of physics!

 

[vanillabear55]

got a C in physics 1 lecture- currently commuting and taking physics II lecture

I find it more interesting than anything we covered in physics I...plus my professor is about 10000000x better..making the class much more enjoyable!

but I absolutely loathed physics I, its the only class (thus far) that'd made me feel like a total ***** and caused me so mannnyy problems for 4 months. which is odd when I was sitting in physics II the other day and enjoying it haha

 

[alucidinterval]

Really wish you 100%+ average douche's would get out of this thread. Obviously this is for people who hate physics. I'm not sure if you read the thread or not but I also got an A in physics I (A few 100+ exams without any trouble) and I am here venting about physics II. Physics is hard or easy based largely on the professor. With that said, your future as a physics prof is moot compared to my current physics II dealings and I am not interested in any positive physics outlooks at the moment.

I have 3 weeks left, 50+ hours a week of studying and I am O SO CLOSE to a decent grade. I know all of you are on the edge of your seat, I will let you know as soon as possible!

Long live the death of physics!

 

[Dzerzhinsky]

Physics and the pain it brings is no laughing matter my friend. I am however glad I was able to bring a smile to your otherwise dark and bleak looking life (yes your life is bleak right now, do not argue me).

Yes, indeed it was. But lo, verily, now my life is as awesome, because Physics I was over last night, and I am done with Physics forever*!

But whenever it got truly impossible, I gritted my teeth and thought about the bear eating cookies. Thank you for that. Even though I think I will end up with a stupid curvy letter.

*: Forever until Monday. I'll take it.

 

[TribalSeeds]

Get a tutor, learn the material, and get an A or B

 

[enTropeeeeeeeee]

Contrary to popular opinion...I really enjoyed my Physics/O Chem experience.

 

[Doctor246853]

Haha this. I'm taking physics I during summer semester (covers both sessions) and the professor asked if I had ever considered being a physics major after I got an 109% on the first test and 113% on the second due to the curve. Pretty cool, but makes me feel a bit like this...

thats the funniest thing Ive ever seen on sdn!!!!!!!!

 

[TOcho118]

Wow. I'd be estatic with a C right now. If I was asked to get a C and not take the rest of the course, I'd sign right here and now. And I'm only on day 3 of Physics.

This is really a sh*tty attitude. Buckle down, do practice probs, pay attention in lecture, get a tutor, whatever. How badly do you want to go to med school? You might not realize it yet but the vast majority of what you learn in physics 1/2 WILL be tested on the mcat. I sincerely doubt your attitude will be "if I could sign up right now to get a 28 on the mcat and never have to study for it then I would."

You say you're only 3 days in. So at least you have plenty of time to do very well! I'm assuming you have pretty decent grades in your other prereq classes seeing as you made it this far. That must mean you are capable of doing well.

 

[Juicec]

I appreciate the somewhat? comforting responses lol. I really do. I just have to buckle down and get it done, but man do I hate it.

I am looking forward to the end of July when I will return to SDN and grace all of you wonderful folks with a much happier and pleasant Juicec.

Speak soon!

BAAM! Lab: A -- CHA-CHING! Lecture: A -- MONEY IN THE BANK!

Doesn't change the fact it was a bastard child of a course. I have pity on all you folks still in its grasps! 😱

 

[Eric01]

BAAM! Lab: A -- CHA-CHING! Lecture: A -- MONEY IN THE BANK!

Doesn't change the fact it was a bastard child of a course. I have pity on all you folks still in its grasps! 😱

Beneath all the logic and formalism is philosophy.

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