I'm about to die.

[UCLAstudent]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Really. Really, really, really. I have a physics midterm tomorrow (so, of course, I'm posting on SDN instead of studying). But this is going to be baaad. It is my first physics class, Physics 6A.

First of all, the prof can't teach. And the TA is even worse. But that is okay. I can deal with that. I am even being tutored at Covel (on campus). So, in theory, I am doing all that I can to be prepared for the test. But guess what? It won't help.

The professor doesn't grade on a curve, which means that the exams have to be relatively doable. And this midterm was going to be doable, until the TA told the professor that students were complaining that the homework problems and practice midterm were too easy (which, by the way, is NOT true! Everyone was shocked to hear that the TA would say something like that!).

Now the professor is ticked because he thinks that the class thinks he is a joke, so he is going to make this midterm REALLY hard. That is bad enough, but it would be okay if the class were curved!

Any suggestions? I guess I just have to persevere. Sorry for the long rant.

 

[indianboy]

It'll be fine. Don't get your panties in a tangle. I mean, the worst that could happen is that you do terribly and don't get into med school, right? Chin Up.

Hope that Helps.

P 'Pod School isn't so bad' ShankOut

 

[LetMeInPlease]

I suggest not dying because it is hard to do a test while dead.

 

[tBw]

if you do die, make sure and get a doctors note, and you can then be excused from the test

 

[UCLAMAN]

just to do as many problems as possible.

 

[shamthis]

My uncle can offer some empathy. Call him at 1-800-FOOT-DOC

unoriginal...i know

dude- seriously, cheer up. Do the best you can. At the very least, you'll have done the best you could. And that's satisfying.

 

[LetMeInPlease]

I do have one actual physics tip. If you really have no idea how to find the answer, just multiply/divide numbers so that their units are correct. If they ask you how many feet you can go in 2 seconds at 3 m/s, you know that you are looking for an answer in meters. So even if you didn't know the formula, you could just 2 s by 3 m/s, so the s cancels out leaving m. This is a stupidly easy example, but it also works for hard problems. It's especially good if there are multiple choice answers. I know most people know this trick, but just in case you didn't, I wanted to help you out so that you don't die. I love saving lives.

 

[shamthis]

one other tip

v = x/t

 

[bruinkid]

chill man!

 

[shamthis]

v is in units of m/s

 

[tBw]

Originally posted by LetMeInPlease
If they ask you how many feet....you know that you are looking for an answer in meters.

do I even have to comment?

 

[LetMeInPlease]

HA! Ooops....Still...I am saving a life. I am.

 

[tBw]

it's all good LetMeInPlease - you were trying to help the guy - and you totally cracked me up! And making people laugh is a good thing 😉

 

[LetMeInPlease]

Yeah, I mean...that wasn't a mistake...yeah, that's it...I MEANT to say that. YES!

 

[Irene Adler]

I sympathize. When I was in undergrad, I got a D on my first physics midterm and promptly had a nervous breakdown--cried like a baby.
Eventually, I withdrew from the course and got a degree in theatre instead.

Now, here I am--older, premed AGAIN, and I'm taking Physics AGAIN.

Do not do what I did.

 

[denali]

A saying (that inspired an a capella song) when I was an ugrad went something along the lines of

"Pray to the god of partial credit..."

Do your best now and plan to kick ass on the final. Good luck!

 

[Street Philosopher]

6a is cake. get a grip.

 

[UCLAstudent]

Thanks to those who tried to help. The only thing I can really do at this point is have a positive attitude (which was NOT the mindset of my original post) and try my best! By the way, I'm a girl, not a guy. I think someone called me a guy in a response to this thread.

 

[sdnsdn]

I know you are in a though spot, but remember, you are only basing your fear on speculation. For all you know the TA and Prof (they sometimes work together in lab too) are having a good laugh about how they made all the silly pre-med undergraduates study like crazy for a test that was not that hard. I went to UCLA, and I NEVER felt ready for a test. They are designed to be really challenging. Please do not give up, trust me, it will pay off for the MCAT. In order to do well on the exam you have to know your stuff standing on your head. It is painful now, but you will be better off in the long run. Just try to make up challenging problems for your self, and then make answer keys for your own tough problems. That way you learn the reasoning behind the problem solving and can decode anything that physics prof can throw your way. If all else fails remember, one class does not a G.P.A. make!
Good luck and I am sure you will be fine.
P.S. If you have time, go talk to the prof. , if you are mature about it AND know your stuff, they can really calm you down. (just do not say that you are pre-med and have to get an A, that really rubs some of them the wrong way!)

 

[Deuce 007 MD]

Originally posted by Street Philosopher
6a is cake. get a grip.

Word, 6A is the easiest in the series, 6B & 6C are harder. So get a grip cuz it's gonna get harder.

 

[UCLAstudent]

The test was hard, but I did okay. The average was low, though.

 

[JRSCGSR]

Glad to hear you did decent on your test. As a word of caution though, 6A is the easiest of the 3 physics courses, just remember to do lots of problems and look for units when you're stuck or pray for partial credit. As a tip for 6b/6C, look for Buchanan to teach, I had him for 6A/B/C and rocked all his classes. Just be glad you're not taking the 1 series...😱

 

[Zub]

i feel your pain...i'm taking 6A and UCLA next quarter....dun worry tho...it'll be ok..just study and whatever happens, happens
=)