Making the dreadful decision of dropping physics?

[vic90]

I got a 55 on my 1st physics exam (average was 80). It's 15% of my grade, 40% is from homeworks and labs, which I get high A's in, 15% for another exam, and 30% for the final. I still have a chance to drop the course WITHOUT a W, but I don't know if I should drop or not. I really have no clue if I'll do much better on the next exams since physics is my weakest science. Another thing is I'm a Junior and running out of time to take my pre-reqs.. if I don't finish physics now, I'll have to take it after graduating since I still have orgo to take. my grades in bio and chem were not too good either. I'm not in a huge rush to go to med school ASAP but I don't know if I'll run into any problems if I put this off.. any advice?

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[flodhi1]

I got a 55 on my 1st physics exam. It's 15% of my grade, 40% is from homeworks and labs, which I get high A's in, 15% for another exam, and 30% for the final. I still have a chance to drop the course without a W, but I don't know if I should drop or not. I really have no clue if I'll do much better on the next exams since physics is my weakest science. Another thing is I'm a Junior and running out of time to take my pre-reqs.. if I don't finish physics now, I'll have to take it after graduating since I still have orgo to take. my grades in bio and chem were not too good either. I'm not in a huge rush to go to med school ASAP but I don't know if I'll run into any problems if I put this off.. any advice?

So in an essence now you're going to continue the course with a maximum grade of 93.25 % If you're fine with a B and according to my school a B grade was a score > 84 % you will have to score 90 % in everything from this point forward. If you think you can realistically do this then stay put if not then drop. The decision should be up to you NOT studentdoc because we are unaware of your abilities as a student and most importantly your work ethic.

 

[gmcguitar4]

It should motivate you to work harder. Your going to need to know that material for the MCAT and the work ethic for medical school. I think it is a great opportunity for you to further your abilities.

 

[MD Odyssey]

I got a 55 on my 1st physics exam. It's 15% of my grade, 40% is from homeworks and labs, which I get high A's in, 15% for another exam, and 30% for the final. I still have a chance to drop the course without a W, but I don't know if I should drop or not. I really have no clue if I'll do much better on the next exams since physics is my weakest science. Another thing is I'm a Junior and running out of time to take my pre-reqs.. if I don't finish physics now, I'll have to take it after graduating since I still have orgo to take. my grades in bio and chem were not too good either. I'm not in a huge rush to go to med school ASAP but I don't know if I'll run into any problems if I put this off.. any advice?

Physics is a very cyclical subject. So, if you bombed the first exam, which is the easiest of the entire course, the chances of things improving magically on the next two exams is small.

Drop it. Figure out what is hurting you and take it later. You're a junior in college - you have plenty of time.

 

[NKChemEng]

Physics is a very cyclical subject. So, if you bombed the first exam, which is the easiest of the entire course, the chances of things improving magically on the next two exams is small.

Drop it. Figure out what is hurting you and take it later. You're a junior in college - you have plenty of time.

Exactly. Focus your attention elsewhere, and really work hard in your other classes. Get those As, take physics next year.

I agree that it is a very cyclical course. That being, now that you're familiar with the first exam, you can absolutely dominate it next year (right? right?) and have a safety net for all of your other assignments.

 

[13132]

Drop...I actually did progressively worse in physics. If the first exams was mechanics I would say that it is likely to just get harder.

I am assuming it is a studying problem and not an intelligence problem. Therefore, a studying problem won't just disappear for the harder material. I agree with the above posts.

 

[vic90]

I've studied the hardest I possibly could for the first test, I did all the practice problems/got a tutor/watched the MIT videos. I don't have a large courseload this semester solely for the purpose of dedicating time for this class. Though I'm starting to think it's not the problem of having enough time to study, but the fact that I have weak math skills. Another problem is the prof's exams don't have enough questions and a single question I messed up cost me 25 points. i'm getting continually discouraged and might have to accept the fact that this is not the right field for me :[

 

[kpcrew]

you should drop if you honestly think that you can do better next time. if you can't, then you might want to just bite the bullet. physics was my worst grade by far but my other grades helped me keep my gpa from being terrible

 

[WorldChanger36]

Withdraw. If you really think the professor is the issue try it with a different teacher or take it at a community college. There is always a way, just some hurt more than others.

 

[vic90]

Withdraw. If you really think the professor is the issue try it with a different teacher or take it at a community college. There is always a way, just some hurt more than others.

luckily it's not past the drop without W deadline yet..and it would suck to keep going only to decide later if i need to withdraw with a W.

hmm ok thanks for the replies

 

[kuckimonster]

I've studied the hardest I possibly could for the first test, I did all the practice problems/got a tutor/watched the MIT videos. I don't have a large courseload this semester solely for the purpose of dedicating time for this class. Though I'm starting to think it's not the problem of having enough time to study, but the fact that I have weak math skills. Another problem is the prof's exams don't have enough questions and a single question I messed up cost me 25 points. i'm getting continually discouraged and might have to accept the fact that this is not the right field for me :[

depending on the withdrawal deadline, i say try and see what happens with the 2nd examn, if you bomb, drop.

i also suggest you try the khanacademy videos, they're extremely helpful (for physics and everything else). physics is very useful and actually very rewarding (at least for me), and it's way more easy if you understand at a conceptual level what your dealing with, understand the big picture, how everything fits in together. the khanacademy videos really capture that perspective. then proceed to make as much practice problems as possible. you will later see that there are analogies throughout physics 1 and 2, like for example gravity with electrostatic force, or pressure with voltage, etc.

 

[MD Odyssey]

I've studied the hardest I possibly could for the first test, I did all the practice problems/got a tutor/watched the MIT videos. I don't have a large courseload this semester solely for the purpose of dedicating time for this class. Though I'm starting to think it's not the problem of having enough time to study, but the fact that I have weak math skills. Another problem is the prof's exams don't have enough questions and a single question I messed up cost me 25 points. i'm getting continually discouraged and might have to accept the fact that this is not the right field for me :[

Without question, this is the largest reason that students struggle with introductory physics. The second is that they don't draw nearly enough pictures when they work problems.

Regardless of whether you are taking a calculus or algebra-based course, your algebra and trigonometry skills need to be top shelf. To practice that, I would suggest these two books:

http://www.amazon.com/Schaums-Outli...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319504396&sr=1-1

and

http://www.amazon.com/Schaums-Outline-Trigonometry-4th-Ed/dp/0071543503/ref=pd_sim_b_3

Prior to going to college, I taught myself algebra and trig all the problems in both and cannot say enough good things about them. There are tons of worked problems and then supplementary problems with solutions to work through on your own. I guarantee you that if you spend the time, perhaps the summer, and work through these books diligently, the difference in your performance in physics will seem like night and day.

 

[Juicec]

You should look up my threads from the summer. All I did was bitch and moan about calc-physics II and at the end of the day I landed an A and at the moment tutor the subject.

Physics is a beast, one that if finally wrangled actually becomes quite intuitive and enjoyable.

I would advise you to stick it out as the lab/home work portion of your course makes it worth while to at least chance it. Additionally you having set aside additional time makes me think that this is your best shot at the class.

Stick it out, you might surprise yourself.

 

[fromnova]

If you can drop without W and still take it later..

DROP IT... DUH

You want to have an A in Physics, OCHem, Chem, Bio,etc... I would withdraw but continue going to the class, to get a head start or w/e.

Having an A in physics really stands out b/c many kids have B's and such.

 

[Juicec]

If you can drop without W and still take it later..

DROP IT... DUH

You want to have an A in Physics, OCHem, Chem, Bio,etc... I would withdraw but continue going to the class, to get a head start or w/e.

Having an A in physics really stands out b/c many kids have B's and such.

There is no "DUH" to this question. You also do not need an A in the course. If you have good grades in other subjects you're fine. If you have good grades in upper level sciences you're fine. There are tons of things that can be done to off set a grade. Furthermore, a B does not need off setting.

Don't listen to people who don't know what they are talking about.

 

[kexy]

Withdraw. If you really think the professor is the issue try it with a different teacher or take it at a community college. There is always a way, just some hurt more than others.

Seconded. I thought I was AWFUL at physics. Turns out I just had awful physics teachers. Wait and take it with a different prof, especially since you can get out now without the W. I think you'll regret it big time if you end up with a B- or lower and could have dropped with no W.

 

[235788]

Drop it unless your GPA can take a hit. Don't forget, B's are GPA torpedoes also.

 

[13132]

Drop it unless your GPA can take a hit. Don't forget, B's are GPA torpedoes also.

I haz 2.0. I luv B's

 

[MD Odyssey]

I haz 2.0. I luv B's

Apparently, you love C's quite a bit more.

 

[orthomyxo]

Physics is a very cyclical subject. So, if you bombed the first exam, which is the easiest of the entire course, the chances of things improving magically on the next two exams is small.

This.

99% of the time, people are consistent in the grades they get throughout the course, i.e. if you got a 55 now, you probably won't improve that much later.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

^^ It depends. Did you study for the exam a lot OP?
I remember back in the day, taking my first Chem 1 test, I barely studied, just looked at my notes, and got a 44% on the first exam. None of the tests were dropped. I studied as freaking ass off the next tests' (mind you this teacher was considered one of hardest in my college) and got high A's in my 4 of my other exams, 2 of which were over 100% due to E.C. and ended up with an A in the course.
Probably the most I've ever studied for one course until now, im my maniacal Orgo class.