Considering whether or not to quit Physics

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I'm doing three subjects, Computing, Biology, and Physics, at AS Level.

I'm fine with the other two, just about, but Physics has so many maths equations that I can't do.

I'm better at remembering facts, and how things work, than a ton of equations.

Physics is too hard, and I'm really lagging behind with it. I've tried to apply myself, but I don't know where to start. There should have been a whole term devoted to understanding it all and remembering facts, rather than trying to jam equations in at the same time. I was reasonable at GCSE level, and I got a C, but now I'm doing poorly at it. I'm not a mathematician.

Perhaps I should withdraw and take another subject next term instead. I can't see myself going on any further with this. I have loads of coursework as well. There's an exam coming up in 3 weeks, and if I find it too hard, I'm going to ditch Physics. My dad isn't too pleased, but I told him that it's very mind numbing.

I should have gone for Chemistry instead. I'll still remember Physics facts in my own spare time, but the dissasociated equations prevent me from wanting to proceed further. Half way through the course, it's not too late to stop doing it now. Already done minimal coursework, with 3 pieces incomplete. Chemistry has loads of equations too, but over a much smaller range, I'm sure.

I'm overloaded, and I've got to stop this somehow. Physics is the problem.

Go for it, I see no drawbacks. Students switch all the time!

And yes, I know that means Achievement Standard, not Asperger's Syndrome. (I get that a lot!)

I will only study what I like doing. If you don't like it, do something else.

I was/am the same way. That philosophy ended up kicking my butt in college though. I personally found physics to be the easiest class I ever took in high school, but know that if I didn't like it or understand it, I would be saying the same thing.

How much longer do you have the class? Do you need it to meet other requirements?

I repeatedly failed the statistical side of my BSc (psychology) for pretty much the same reason. even though most of the exams were open-book.

I would love to study quantum physics and the cutting edge stuff, and learn more about the fabric of reality, but from what you say i might have a hard time getting through the mainstream stuff.

Absolutely. It sounds great in theory, but you start to realize in college that even though you are a ______ major, you still have to take classes in several other areas. You can't simply say "I don't want to do that, I only want to do stuff in my major," because you won't meet graduation requirements. No graduation, no diploma. No diploma, your options for jobs just got severely reduced.

There will even be classes within your major that are horrible. I made the mistake of taking an I/O Psychology class last semester. Dropped it after the first test. Not because I couldn't make it through, but because I absolutely hated it. Thankfully that was just an elective to fulfill a requirement, and I'm taking two classes this semester that also meet that requirement.

As for dropping the class, you could always retake it later. Nothing wrong with that. I've got a couple friends that have retaken a physical chemistry class at least once, one is taking it for the third time I think. If you're overloaded, might as well cut the class causing the most difficulty. That way you can do better in the other classes.



As great as my weekly research meeting-induced headache is.....
This stuff is really dense. I think I've been taught some of the really early stuff three times, and I'm slowly getting a handle on it. Linear algebra is surprisingly important.

Well, I still have 2 other subjects. It's not to meet some requirements.

I was looking forward to Physics at the start of the course, until I realised just how much maths and equations there is. I'm not a maths genius, nor can I concentrate on it for long. I'm ok with standard maths, but the advanced stuff isn't my thing. I came to do Physics, not calculations. I'd love to learn about how things work, but there is so much maths tied with it, without a proper explanation as to why. The way it's taught doesn't stimulate me. I like explanations, not a load of algebra. I like to understand things first, then do the advanced material.

I wanted to learn Physics and become a Physicist, but other people can do that much better than me, I suck at it. I can understand it, but I can't do the complicated equations and explanations.

My strong points are Ideas, Strategy, and Understanding. I have a good imagination and perception of things in areas that interest me. I'm clever, but not in the maths sense.

Everyone has their weak points. I'm still going to do three subjects for A level. I don't need Physics, especially as a horrifically bad grade. I'm still doing it at the moment, but I'm going to quit soon. It's a shame I didn't stop sooner, but heh. It'll be a big relief ditching it. As for University, it depends. After I draw out of Physics, I'll have twice the free time, and less hassle. I could probably concentrate more on the other subjects. I want at least two Cs in the end, hopefully three.

Whew, I went on a bit there.

I'm definitely quitting it, as soon as the opportunity arises.

I hate physics too. There are just too many damn formulas. For some reason I don't know I am very bad at plugging in formulas. The notations are confusing too. My family keeps wanting me to make a push at it though. My grandfather was a top government physicist during WWII, and my father is also a physicist. They can't understand that I am not good at it too. It's complicated by the fact that when I was very young it was discovered that I was even faster than they were at head math. They thought that meant that I would be very good at physics, but there's something about it that just didn't click. If it will help your GPA significantly to drop it I recommend that you drop it.

Good luck on this. However, given your statement,

I must ask what is it with hoping for Cs? You should be hoping for A's! With all Cs on your grade reports, you're just seting yourself up for disaster if you flunk some classes and your GPA drops below what is acceptable for graduation.



Anubis doesn't hate physics, he just is having difficulty doing the math it involves.



Just curious, how many?

Dozens, maybe hundreds.

I don't need Physics.

I've told the teacher, and said why. Both the people I've been to at College say it's a wise decision. I had to go in the lesson today though, even after I said.

I would go more with the dozens unless we count the rewritten forms. I suppose what sort of matters is what level of physics is being discussed. Mechanics is not that bad as it relates to things we can see and conceptualize, E&M is horrid though as one cannot conceptualize it and the math required is quite advanced.

I love reading about quantum theory. There is a book called The Elegant Universe that gives conceptual look at the "cutting edge" stuff. And I enjoy Heisenberg, too. And Bohr. Check out your local library. Or Google, even.

As far as maths go, I prefer conceptual physics to actually working out the maths. There are a great many formulas to remember, which is why I say God invented the encyclopedia.

yes physics is simply just the scientific application of maths and there is very little maths in chemistry but if you want to go to uni you will need 3 A-levels though you can always take a foundation year