herbie, if you want to understand the concepts of physics, take calc based rather than algebra based. Frankly I never memorized a single formula because I could work them out from scratch if necessary, but mostly they just made sense.
However, if you take algebra based, think of physics like this: this like an idiot. Seriously. They'll give you this problem... well, draw it out with what you already know happens. Really. Did you know that one study gave a simple physics problem to college graduates of all kinds; the problem had a pitcher on a baseball mound throwing a ball to the catcher. They gave gravity, all the equations, etc. and then asked them to draw a picture of the physics problem. Over 70% of them drew a pitcher on the mound throwing the ball in a straight line down to the ground making a triangle. Less than 30% of college grads drew a picture of a pitcher throwing a ball in an arc like we all know happens. when they were asked about it later, the triangle drawing crowd said they had no idea why they wouldn't draw what they KNOW happens other than it said "physics" on the top.
So if you want to make it easier, think like a *****. Draw a picture of what you already know happens in real life. THEN start working on the numbers and stuff. Physics isn't there to trick you - it's merely there to explain WHY stuff happens that you ALREADY KNOW HAPPENS. Don't let the simple word "physics' confuddle you into not getting an A.
And thanks for the well wishes. Two days into orientation and I am more sure than ever I made the right decision about where I should be.
