Other How Can I Balance Returning to College After a Long Break?

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Returning to college while working can be challenging, especially after a break from studies. To manage both effectively, it's crucial to refresh foundational knowledge in mathematics and physics. Recommended resources include Boas's "Mathematical Methods" for a comprehensive review of essential math topics, and Kreyznig's "Advanced Engineering Mathematics" as a solid reference. It's beneficial to revisit lower division coursework to strengthen understanding of the material. Utilizing old textbooks or accessing library resources can aid in this review. Balancing a demanding work schedule, such as 12-hour night shifts, adds complexity to studying, making effective time management and prioritization essential for success in both work and academic pursuits.
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I recently got decent job and that allowed me to go back to college and finish my physics studies. I stopped half way into a bachelor degree. I admit I forgot half of what I knew 3 years ago when I took a break. So, do you have any advice on how to do parallel work/college thing? If you have some good books mostly on mathematics - integrals, Fourier transform, differential equations. And some books in classical mechanics.
 
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If you can get a hold of Boas's Mathematical Methods, that would probably be sufficient to refresh your memory on the mathematics you haven't used in a while.
 
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I went back after 10 years. I just took the lower division physics over pretty much. I'm sure you don't want to do that. I'd say whatever classes you're taking read up on the lower division stuff that you're supposed to know already. Use your old books if you still have, if not just go to the school's library, they should have some old editions.

I work on the weekends and go to school during the week. Although I work 12 hour night shifts so the pay is good, flipping my sleep schedule every week is a nightmare though.

For math stuff I like Kreyznig's Advanced Engineering Mathematics, it's a very good reference I've found. Boas is also good as the person before me said.
 
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Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...

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