Feeling Confused in My E&M Class: Is This Normal for a 2nd Year Physics Major?

[Lawrencel2]

let me start by saying that i love physics and i am very passionate about becoming an astrophysicist, but this semester i am taking my first e&m class and for the first time it my life i actually feel like i am confused (i might add that i am understanding it more than a majority my other peers).
should i feel tested from the subject material? Is this a sign that maybe I'm not as good at physics as i should be? Those questions are circling around my head... My prof. told me that the unit that we are in is very hard to comprehend (gauss's law).

 

[lisab]

Yes, it's quite normal to be confused by E&M. Your prof is right.

I have no idea what you mean by "maybe I'm not as good at physics as i should be". You're a bit confused, and all that means is, now you have to work harder than you're used to. Perhaps it's been easy up until now, but you're getting into the good stuff and you'll have to find some low gears. Hang in there.

Remember: for the vast majority of successful physicists, it didn't come easy.