Preparing for AP Physics: Tips for High School Students

[bbcream]

i'm not really sure what academic topic to put this in, sorry.

i'm a sophomore in high school right now, and my school only offers physics in junior year. where should i start? I'm taking pre-calc and trig for math right now, and taking chemistry as a science. i took biology last year, and am planning to take AP physics next year. I'm also taking calculus next year.
i've seen other posts on this forum and it seems like there've been a lot like mine, but they're usually high school freshman who've already taken subjects like calculus and java. i... know none of that. I'm getting worried. i feel like I'm behind.
what should i do? where should i start? how should i start? what classes should i take?
thank you in advance if you offer advice!

 

[jtbell]

high school freshman who've already taken subjects like calculus and java. i...

Those people are not, repeat not typical. (At least not in the US.) Don't worry about being "behind" them. If your AP physics course is Physics 1 & 2, which is algebra/trig based, you should do just fine with the math that you're taking this year. AP Physics B & C are calculus based.

I strongly suggest that you talk to the physics teacher at your school if you have any concerns. He/she knows best what the students in his/her courses should know in order to do well in them.

 

[DS2C]

In any situation, I don't think its wise to compare yourself to other students. A personal example for me is when I took my last chemistry course. I was banging my head against the wall trying to understand organic chemistry and seeing this one guy do it with ease made me feel even worse. I found out after talking with him that he failed once and was retaking the course.

Everyone is different for different reasons and making comparisons is unnecessary and counterproductive. This applies to what classes someone else is in as well, not just their performance in a particular class.

One of my professors dropped out of high school and screwed around for awhile before going to college and having to start off on academic probation. On the flip side there's some 15 year old kid at my university. Focus on yourself and youll be in a better state of mind.

 

[Dishsoap]

they're usually high school freshman who've already taken subjects like calculus and java.

It's very easy to get discouraged on Physics Forums because the students here are at all different levels. It's not uncommon for me to see posts from high school students that are studying a more advanced topic than what I've encountered (as a grad student). You do what you can, with what you have.

 

[bbcream]

thank you to everyone who replied! I'm just... really anxious right now.

 

[Dr. Courtney]

It's better to really know and retain mastery in algebra, trig, and precalc than to complete calculus in high school.

I've known too many students with calculus on their high school transcripts who failed out of college completely (or could not succeed in STEM majors) because they never sufficiently mastered Algebra 1. I don't know of any who struggled in college because they did not complete calculus in high school.

After you complete your precalc course, (if you can) sign up for ALEKS precalculus and work until you've completed 95% of the precalc "pie." This will review weak areas, cover any areas your high school course missed, and ensure excellent understanding. It will also really help on the math portion of the ACT if you take it.

Since you're only in 10th now if you knock out precalc and review in ALEKS over the summer, you have two more years of high school to take calc and physics.

Stop stressing.

 

[wukunlin]

I didn't understand why my high school discouraged taking courses more advanced than my year level. Students need time to digest the material, both for advancement and for choosing their pathways. Wish I learned that before I got my degrees.