Intro Physics: A Problem Class... advice?

[Uwrf]

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Hi there. I'm a pre-pharmacy student completing an undergrad degree in chemistry. I'm doing great in all of my classes so far this semester... accept for calculus based physics I. I had an 87% in the class before our second exam. I studied and worked hard thinking I was going to do well. I, among many of my classmates, bombed the test, however. Most of the class couldn't even finish the darn thing.

I believe this has brought me down to a C+. What's discouraging is that I work hard, and take school very seriously. Nearly all of my time outside of class entails vigorous study... yet it has brought little return in this class so far. I can get an A in General Chemistry and Calculus but can't seem to hold my own in Physics.

Are there any pre-pharmacy/pharmacy students who struggled with physics? If so, what sort of adjustments did you make in order to achieve greater success? A part of the issue that I can point out is that I tend to have test anxiety. I can understand the material but may not always be able to express it under pressure. I am someone who takes longer to understand something than the average student. I also take longer on tests, even if I know exactly how to answer everything.

I know that this is a very open ended question, but you can imagine the frustration I have in this. Also, I feel that it would be to my advantage to discuss the issue with other students hoping to make it to pharmacy school one day... or who have already made it.

So, to simplify things, my questions are:

1.) Are there other pre-pharmacy students who struggled with physics? If so, what adjustments or accommodations were made/met to succeed?

2.) Is physics the type of class you can study for on your own, or is it more efficient to study with a group?

3.) Even though physics is a pharmacy prerequisite for many schools, is the grade taken into account as much as a chemistry or biology grade?

 

[SN1]

One bad grade is NOT going to hinder your chances of gaining admission at all. Don't stress about it too much and do your best.

 

[delano2000]

Quick question, why didn't you do the algebra based physics instead? Calc based physics is notorious for being difficult, unless you have a very strong mathematical background.


Physics was not my strong suit. I was in tutoring almost every day. Turns out the extra help and time studying paid off because I made an A. Not to mention I was also taking Calculus and Stats that same semester. If you haven't tried tutoring then maybe that might be helpful for you. It is one of the "weeding out" classes but honestly, a C won't hurt your chances at all. Many people have gotten accepted with a few Cs here and there.

 

[xtsukiyox]

2.) Is physics the type of class you can study for on your own, or is it more efficient to study with a group?

I found it more helpful to study on my own & go to the instructor (or tutors if she wasn't available) if I had questions. I did EVERY SINGLE QUESTION.

Then I found out about halfway through the second semester that the other "group study" students had been passing around copies of last semesters' tests, and the instructor was just changing the numbers. 🙄

3.) Even though physics is a pharmacy prerequisite for many schools, is the grade taken into account as much as a chemistry or biology grade?

It does factor into your science GPA, but as I've heard it, an impressive score in O Chem & A&P outweigh. The alternative would be - what - dropping & retaking? I wouldn't do that for a C in general physics.

Now, echoing delano, I might seriously consider dropping & taking the algebra-based one instead, unless specifically required by major / a specific school.

If anyone asks, you can always say, "And that's how I knew engineering wasn't for me."

 

[Indypharm]

I would second tutoring. At my school, there is department sponsored tutoring. If your school has anything like that take advantage of it. (Ours is free). I would start by going to the professor and explain your situation. Tell him or her how you are studying and they may be able to give you some hints on what to do to get a better grade. You still have time to get that grade up to a B. Don't worry, but don't wait either. Go ask for help. And like the others have said, one C will not kill you, but I'm sure you'd still rather it wasn't there.

I found it more helpful to study on my own & go to the instructor (or tutors if she wasn't available) if I had questions. I did EVERY SINGLE QUESTION.

Then I found out about halfway through the second semester that the other "group study" students had been passing around copies of last semesters' tests, and the instructor was just changing the numbers. 🙄



It does factor into your science GPA, but as I've heard it, an impressive score in O Chem & A&P outweigh. The alternative would be - what - dropping & retaking? I wouldn't do that for a C in general physics.

Now, echoing delano, I might seriously consider dropping & taking the algebra-based one instead, unless specifically required by major / a specific school.

If anyone asks, you can always say, "And that's how I knew engineering wasn't for me."

 

[Uwrf]

Quick question, why didn't you do the algebra based physics instead? Calc based physics is notorious for being difficult, unless you have a very strong mathematical background.


Physics was not my strong suit. I was in tutoring almost every day. Turns out the extra help and time studying paid off because I made an A. Not to mention I was also taking Calculus and Stats that same semester. If you haven't tried tutoring then maybe that might be helpful for you. It is one of the "weeding out" classes but honestly, a C won't hurt your chances at all. Many people have gotten accepted with a few Cs here and there.

I took Calculus based because some of the pharmacy schools I hope to apply to require it. Some require two semesters.😱 Minnesota requires 1 and Madison 2. This test brought me down to a B-. Better than a C, but we've really just passed the halfway point so far. He's willing to give 20 point extra credit points. The catch? I must build a bridge made of pasta by next month.😕

The thing that worries me about a C is that my cumulative is about a 2.72 right now. This is because my beginning years of higher education entailed carelessness and it was not until I found my passion for pharmacy last year that I had buckled down and had a great year.

I would second tutoring. At my school, there is department sponsored tutoring. If your school has anything like that take advantage of it. (Ours is free). I would start by going to the professor and explain your situation. Tell him or her how you are studying and they may be able to give you some hints on what to do to get a better grade. You still have time to get that grade up to a B. Don't worry, but don't wait either. Go ask for help. And like the others have said, one C will not kill you, but I'm sure you'd still rather it wasn't there.

Yeah, our physics department has a help room, and I'm in there a lot every week. People usually just do the online Mastering Physics homework in there, and tutors are usually pretty busy. People have been pressing me to find a private tutor, because I'm usually isolated from other students... I have no roommates in my apartment. Perhaps I should look into that.

Thanks for your time and input so far everyone. I appreciate it, as hearing from others running on the same track helps me to better keep things into perspective.

 

[xtsukiyox]

I took Calculus based because some of the pharmacy schools I hope to apply to require it. Some require two semesters.😱 Minnesota requires 1 and Madison 2.

Sure as heck, Minnesota requires "Physics: 1 course, calculus based." I don't see where Madison requires calculus based physics (they do require 2 semesters), but I'm sure you've done your homework.

Not to get you down, but I saw Minnesota also requires a 3.00 PharmCAS GPA (or 3.20 over last 60 semester hours). You may want to sit down & do some hard math about your current GPA & how to get it there - can you afford the C?

 

[Uwrf]

Not to get you down, but I saw Minnesota also requires a 3.00 PharmCAS GPA (or 3.20 over last 60 semester hours). You may want to sit down & do some hard math about your current GPA & how to get it there - can you afford the C?

Yeah, a C is out of the question for me (I don't whether or not I could afford it, it would just hurt too much). I have a good portion of the curriculum of my undergrad to go, in addition to 4 pharmacy prerequisites that are not a part of the degree. I'm looking at about 3 years of school left. My last semester was a 3.5 semester (15 credits of pure math and science), and that brought it from a 2.6 to a 2.71, with a summer class bringing it to a 2.72. So if I stay on track and keep at it I believe I could get it up there after 6 good semesters. Although the closer I may get to a 3.0, the better I'll have to do to get it higher. And even a 3.0 is not that competitive of a GPA.

I can be realistic though. I have to consider schools that consider something as low as 2.5... although that's not ideal. Minnesota's program is so attractive and so close to home. I'll have to look at exactly how many credits I have left and do some calculations. Thanks for your reply. I appreciate the time and effort.

 

[Uwrf]

Okay, so to conclude the thread, I ended up getting a B in the lecture, with a B- in the lab (ouch). So, not the most ideal situation, but I can be content with that though. With the course load I was taking, I think it'll do.

Calculus I: A
Calculus Based Physics 1: B
Physics I Lab: B-
General Biology w/Lab: A-
Microeconomics: B+

Thanks again for all of your advice. It is highly valued and appreciated.

 

[pharm B]

Glad to hear it worked out for you. Physics was a beast of a course. When I took it, I actually had to file a grade appeal. 🙁

I had the second highest grade in a class of 24 people. He gave me a D. The highest grade was a mid-C. Everyone else failed. Our professor was notoriously bad, but he was the only prof for that course. I fought him tooth and nail and went through the full academic appeal process and he finally agreed to give me a C.

I was bloodthirsty, too, since I'd already been accepted to my pharmacy school and this was my last regular semester before starting. 🙄

 

[seaswim]

I'm glad this was brought back, as I'm in a similar situation right now. I am not working and am only taking one other course right now, but I physics is definitely the hardest class I've taken in many years. It's like I hear "work," "Joules," "normal force," and it all goes in one ear and out the other. I have tried working with other students, but I don't think physics is the kind of class where studying in groups helps too much. Tutoring is probably the best way to go.

Glad that you made it through the class, and I'd say you did well considering your courseload and expectations. The school I will be attending in the fall only requires one physics course, which is quite a relief since I was preparing to take two. Just thought I'd add my two cents, as you were in my shoes not long ago.

 

[sde780]

Maybe it's just me, but I breezed through Physics 1. You should try to understand the concepts of the formulas used instead of "plug and chug", because it's very easy for the professor to put a spin on the problem you've never seen before.

 

[pharm B]

Maybe it's just me, but I breezed through Physics 1. You should try to understand the concepts of the formulas used instead of "plug and chug", because it's very easy for the professor to put a spin on the problem you've never seen before.

I would definitely recommend studying with others, doing a lot of problems that use the material in different ways. I actually really enjoyed the puzzle-solving aspect of the class. Bad physics professors seem to be just as common as bad professors in any subject (luck of the draw).

Ours gave multiple choice tests, but the final answer wasn't worth that much. The problem we ran into NUMEROUS times (each exam) was that the final answer wasn't always a choice. His exams were almost like a game. You would figure out an answer, not see the answer, and then ask yourself "did I do this right?" Several people made the mistake of erasing their work, starting over and going a different direction, only to find out their first attempt was their best attempt.

 

[kcwang]

Sometimes it's just test taking skill. I knew people that got C on exams even though they understood all the exam questions.

 

[Nelcovp]

phuck physics. This was the hardest class for me..... much harder than ochm.

Hi there. I'm a pre-pharmacy student completing an undergrad degree in chemistry. I'm doing great in all of my classes so far this semester... accept for calculus based physics I. I had an 87% in the class before our second exam. I studied and worked hard thinking I was going to do well. I, among many of my classmates, bombed the test, however. Most of the class couldn't even finish the darn thing.

I believe this has brought me down to a C+. What's discouraging is that I work hard, and take school very seriously. Nearly all of my time outside of class entails vigorous study... yet it has brought little return in this class so far. I can get an A in General Chemistry and Calculus but can't seem to hold my own in Physics.

Are there any pre-pharmacy/pharmacy students who struggled with physics? If so, what sort of adjustments did you make in order to achieve greater success? A part of the issue that I can point out is that I tend to have test anxiety. I can understand the material but may not always be able to express it under pressure. I am someone who takes longer to understand something than the average student. I also take longer on tests, even if I know exactly how to answer everything.

I know that this is a very open ended question, but you can imagine the frustration I have in this. Also, I feel that it would be to my advantage to discuss the issue with other students hoping to make it to pharmacy school one day... or who have already made it.

So, to simplify things, my questions are:

1.) Are there other pre-pharmacy students who struggled with physics? If so, what adjustments or accommodations were made/met to succeed?

2.) Is physics the type of class you can study for on your own, or is it more efficient to study with a group?

3.) Even though physics is a pharmacy prerequisite for many schools, is the grade taken into account as much as a chemistry or biology grade?

 

[Pojman]

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