Schools Physics Study in Gap Time after High School Suggestion

AI Thread Summary
Suggestions for effectively utilizing the six-month gap between high school graduation and university include studying introductory college textbooks in physics and mathematics. Recommended resources include Serway & Jewitt for physics and exploring MIT's open courseware for structured syllabi in classical physics and calculus. Engaging with these materials can help reinforce high school concepts and prepare for undergraduate studies. Additionally, taking language or music courses is seen as a beneficial way to diversify skills during this period. Many participants in the discussion emphasize the value of familiarizing oneself with first-year university content to ease the transition into higher education.
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Hi all,

I would like to know if you guys could suggest me what's the best way to fill my free time (six months) between graduating high school and entering university. I will be taking Bachelor of Science with major in Physics. I also have plan to continue my study further if possible. However I don't know exactly what's the best way to spend my free time in the mean time. I really wish I don't forget most of the materials taught in high school. (UK A Level standard)

Should I start to read college introductory text-books such as University Physics and perhaps also mathematical text-books to advance my knowledge? If yes, what are your suggested syllabus? Is it necessary to read through the basic again or should I just follow the syllabus of basic physics undergraduate? (such as those listed in IOP website)

Thank you for your time

P.S: I also want to know what do you think if one takes language or music course in addition to that?
 
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Hi!

I would suggest any introductory college textbook, Serway & Jewitt are great. As for course syllabus, you could look on MIT open course where and search for introductory courses to physics (classical) and Calculus 1 classes and work your way from there. They have a great syllabus to follow for each class. Some even have video taped lecture videos. Also, there is nothing wrong with taking a couple electives to switch things up! Goodluck!
 
Thank you very much guys, I'll surely look at all of the given links. :)

Do any of you has experience in facing the same situation as mine? If yes I'd like to know what did you do also.
 
I'm actually in the exact same position as you, given I start university this upcoming fall. In preparation for first year (and just simply for excitement), I am studying directly from first-year calculus, linear algebra and physics textbooks. I hope to at least obtain an overview of the main notions/theorems outlined in these books.
 
NATURE.M said:
I'm actually in the exact same position as you, given I start university this upcoming fall. In preparation for first year (and just simply for excitement), I am studying directly from first-year calculus, linear algebra and physics textbooks. I hope to at least obtain an overview of the main notions/theorems outlined in these books.

Alright I'll try to read some of the preliminary materials. Thank you!
 
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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