Physics training tips for competitions?

[IIAlexII]

So in a couple of months from now I will start to intensively learn physics because I want to hopefully join larger competitions such as IPHO. I'm legitimately interested in physics and have won some competitions before but I'm just looking for some tips for studying physics. It would also be greatly appreciated if you guys can tell me a good source for studying physics. Thanks!

Ps. this is my first post :)

 

[Dr. Courtney]

High school? College? Courses already completed? The path to improvement depends on where you are starting from.

 

[IIAlexII]

High school? College? Courses already completed? The path to improvement depends on where you are starting from.

Oh yeah, sorry for the missing details. I'm currently in high school.:)

 

[Dr. Courtney]

I'd be more optimistic if you didn't show the typical immature high school approach of expecting good feedback, but only answered half the questions. Which math and science courses have you already completed? Grades?

 

[IIAlexII]

I'd be more optimistic if you didn't show the typical immature high school approach of expecting good feedback, but only answered half the questions. Which math and science courses have you already completed? Grades?

I'm sorry about the misunderstanding because I have English as a second language so sometimes I misinterpret what people say.

So I'm currently 15 years old and I am in junior high school (grade 9) in Indonesia. So I have learned the basics of mechanics, electricity, and waves. I have also learned some materials a couple of years ahead but mostly in mechanics. For the math I have completed algebra basics and I learned the basics of trigonometry. For math and physics, I always get grades of around 95%. I have also joined some national science competitions and math competitions and got first place. So in term of physics, I have studied the basics of Newtonian physics.

I am really sorry again if I still am missing some information but as I have said this is the first time I touched any kinds of forum so please excuse me for that.

 

[Dr. Courtney]

From that perspective, it seems that following the advice of the teacher or mentor for your International Physics Olympiad is probably better than the advice of strangers on the internet. I'd only reach out for advice from strangers if there is no one at your home school who can help you.

IPhO requires some specialized problem solving skills executed in a specific test format. Most Physics Forums contributors can help you learn and train in Physics more generally, but that more general improvement may not be your best use of time training from where you are for a specific event.

 

[IIAlexII]

From that perspective, it seems that following the advice of the teacher or mentor for your International Physics Olympiad is probably better than the advice of strangers on the internet. I'd only reach out for advice from strangers if there is no one at your home school who can help you.

IPhO requires some specialized problem solving skills executed in a specific test format. Most Physics Forums contributors can help you learn and train in Physics more generally, but that more general improvement may not be your best use of time training from where you are for a specific event.

Thank you!

So do you think my best bet is to find a mentor? I currently do not have anyone that is specialized enough in physics.

 

[Dr. Courtney]

Thank you!

So do you think my best bet is to find a mentor? I currently do not have anyone that is specialized enough in physics.

Yes. No one at your school is specialized in physics? Without a local mentor specialized in Physics, real progress toward IPhO is a bigger challenge that it might otherwise be. I have known students to succeed with remote mentors in ISEF-affiliated science fairs, but not IPhO. The big difference is that you pick your own project in ISEF-affiliated events. But for IPhO, the topics for the event you enter are picked by others, and you need to have very strong and very broad preparation. In ISEF-affiliated events, you just need to be very good and do an excellent job in the one specific area of the project YOU picked under the guidance of your mentor.

 

[IIAlexII]

Yes. No one at your school is specialized in physics? Without a local mentor specialized in Physics, real progress toward IPhO is a bigger challenge that it might otherwise be. I have known students to succeed with remote mentors in ISEF-affiliated science fairs, but not IPhO. The big difference is that you pick your own project in ISEF-affiliated events. But for IPhO, the topics for the event you enter are picked by others, and you need to have very strong and very broad preparation. In ISEF-affiliated events, you just need to be very good and do an excellent job in the one specific area of the project YOU picked under the guidance of your mentor.

There should be some local mentors that are specialized enough in physics in my area. I also am really considering ISEF-affiliated events too. However there are also my country's national Olympiad which is obviously much easier than IPHO. For that olympiad, the first round (city level) will be mostly mechanics while the second (province level) and final (national level) round will be covering a broader range (most of Newtonian physics). My school will also be hiring mentors but we only have 3 hours a week. So aside from studying at home, do you recommend a mentor? And do you have any specific strategy or tip?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dr. Courtney]

There should be some local mentors that are specialized enough in physics in my area. I also am really considering ISEF-affiliated events too. However there are also my country's national Olympiad which is obviously much easier than IPHO. For that olympiad, the first round (city level) will be mostly mechanics while the second (province level) and final (national level) round will be covering a broader range (most of Newtonian physics). My school will also be hiring mentors but we only have 3 hours a week. So aside from studying at home, do you recommend a mentor? And do you have any specific strategy or tip?

Thanks in advance!

An experienced local mentor who gets to know you personally with your strengths, weaknesses, and background can offer better tips than I can. Find one. Follow their advice.

 

[IIAlexII]

An experienced local mentor who gets to know you personally with your strengths, weaknesses, and background can offer better tips than I can. Find one. Follow their advice.

How about someone that have won before? I found someone that have won before and is now taking a math degree in an elite university here. People say he teaches well so would you recommend someone like that?

 

[Dr. Courtney]

How about someone that have won before? I found someone that have won before and is now taking a math degree in an elite university here. People say he teaches well so would you recommend someone like that?

Either having won or having mentored past winners would make someone high on my list. Go for it!

 

[IIAlexII]

Either having won or having mentored past winners would make someone high on my list. Go for it!

Thank you so much for your advice!