Can Hard Work Alone Guarantee a B+ in a Challenging Physics Course?

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the experience of achieving a B+ in a challenging Physics 1 course despite significant effort. Participants emphasize that hard work alone does not guarantee high grades, as understanding concepts and effective study strategies are crucial. Reflecting on graded assignments and identifying specific areas of difficulty can provide valuable insights for future improvement. The conversation highlights the importance of not defining oneself by a single grade and encourages a focus on learning and growth.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts and terminology
  • Familiarity with effective study techniques and time management
  • Experience with self-reflection and learning from past academic performance
  • Knowledge of the grading systems in high school versus college/university
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  • Explore advanced study techniques for mastering complex physics concepts
  • Learn about effective time management strategies for balancing multiple courses
  • Research methods for self-assessment and reflection on academic performance
  • Investigate the differences in grading significance between high school and college/university
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Students in high school or college facing challenges in physics courses, educators seeking to understand student experiences, and anyone interested in improving their academic performance through effective study habits and self-reflection.

isukatphysics69
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Worked really hard this semester in physics 1 and got a B+. So i worked as hard as i could and my mental capacity has proven to only be capable of a B+ at full throttle in a challenging course. i put my other classes on the back burner for physics and i end up with a B+. Not sure how i feel about this
 
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You might want to take some time and reflect on this experience. Were there any big lessons that you learned looking back over the year? Did you have any breakthrough moments?

You can't define yourself by a single grade. The B+ is how it all shook out this time around. Is it likely that's going to repeat itself, or do you feel as though you've learned some things that will help you in your next set of courses?
 
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Was it the math? the concepts?
Sometimes letting it stew for a few months and it all comes together better.
( As long as one doesn't forget everything after the exam :H , which though is easy to pick up again with a simple refresher of leafing through the books, so all is not lost )
 
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I would look at what caused you to get the B+. Look back at your graded papers and find what got marked down. Did you have trouble with the overall concept or just a particular part. I was certainly no straight A student. I understood the concepts fine, but I had difficulty with terminology. I'm still not sure I could describe some of the more advanced programming techniques even though I use them every day.
 
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isukatphysics69 said:
Worked really hard this semester in physics 1 and got a B+. So i worked as hard as i could and my mental capacity has proven to only be capable of a B+ at full throttle in a challenging course. i put my other classes on the back burner for physics and i end up with a B+. Not sure how i feel about this
Why worry about this B+ grade? This was not like struggling between D and C grade for a course. Are you just worried that the next Physics courses might be tougher to get B grade too or that the grades will be lower? You really do not know until you do one or two more of them.

Review can be a good thing.
 
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A B+? The horror!

If you look at all the threads in this section, you will find someone who got a B once! O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee!
 
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OP, don't fret it. I worked hard for my high-school physics exam and prepared for the exam 2 months prior to it's commencement. I got a D.
 
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InfiniteEntity said:
OP, don't fret it. I worked hard for my high-school physics exam and prepared for the exam 2 months prior to it's commencement. I got a D.
Depending on if O.P. is at high school or at college/university, the importance of letter grade would be very different.
 
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symbolipoint said:
Depending on if O.P. is at high school or at college/university, the importance of letter grade would be very different.
Can you explain the difference please? I fail to recognize any since they both use the same grading system for the most part.
 
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The problem can be in the test taking.
isukatphysics69 said:
Worked really hard this semester in physics 1 and got a B+. So i worked as hard as i could and my mental capacity has proven to only be capable of a B+ at full throttle in a challenging course.
had the same experience, even a worse one. Hard work for an 86 then I dropped a course and worked double and ended up with a 40. I just forget half the material in the exam

Another problem might be because you thought you worked hard but actually didn't. Happened to me too. Spent a week on material that required a day. Turned out I wasted half the time without knowing! Since then I set time for extreme focus work and then fool around for the rest of the day. Thus freeing more time and having better grades.
 
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