Studying Struggling with Physics: Helping a Second Year Major Succeed

[cosmicjelly]

I am currently a second year majoring in physics. I am currently taking classical mechanics. I took introductory physics in my first year. In my first year, I did decently well, but I felt like I wasn't understanding the material.
My study method for my second year is to go to lecture, pay attention to the professor, go back home re-read the lecture notes, understand the derivations and read the book, and practice problems. After I have done all of that, I would try to explain it to my roommate as if I am teaching the material. Usually, this process takes about 6 hours on weekends, weekdays about 1 to 2 hours. However, this process can only take me so far. It works sometimes, but other times it doesn't. I am a bit frustrated at myself because, I can't understand the material as fast as others, it takes me a few days to understand it. I can do the math, which is kinda the easy part for me, but applying it to physics problems is the challenge. Previous math courses I have taken are: Calculus, differential equations, multivariable calc, linear algebra(currently taking).
I am currently standing on a 2.65 gpa, with this I will be going nowhere, heck not even graduate school. I have tried doing Feynman note-taking technique, it kinda works but it takes way too much time. What I want to do with my physics degree is help with research in astrophysics. I know its vague, but at this point, I don't even know if I will qualify for any job.

At this point I don't know what to do. I want to stay in physics because I love how difficult it is and how it can be applied to real life situations.

 

[ZapperZ]

I am currently a second year majoring in physics. I am currently taking classical mechanics. I took introductory physics in my first year. In my first year, I did decently well, but I felt like I wasn't understanding the material.
My study method for my second year is to go to lecture, pay attention to the professor, go back home re-read the lecture notes, understand the derivations and read the book, and practice problems. After I have done all of that, I would try to explain it to my roommate as if I am teaching the material. Usually, this process takes about 6 hours on weekends, weekdays about 1 to 2 hours. However, this process can only take me so far. It works sometimes, but other times it doesn't. I am a bit frustrated at myself because, I can't understand the material as fast as others, it takes me a few days to understand it. I can do the math, which is kinda the easy part for me, but applying it to physics problems is the challenge. Previous math courses I have taken are: Calculus, differential equations, multivariable calc, linear algebra(currently taking).
I am currently standing on a 2.65 gpa, with this I will be going nowhere, heck not even graduate school. I have tried doing Feynman note-taking technique, it kinda works but it takes way too much time. What I want to do with my physics degree is help with research in astrophysics. I know its vague, but at this point, I don't even know if I will qualify for any job.

At this point I don't know what to do. I want to stay in physics because I love how difficult it is and how it can be applied to real life situations.

There are a few things that I don't quite understand here.

First of all, you stated that you are in your 2nd year and have GPA of 2.65. Unless you have a different set of curriculum than most students, you have taken mostly math classes, and intro general physics courses, along with electives. Is this correct?

If it is, then IF you state that you have taken all those math courses and presumably, you "can do the math" (meaning you got good grades in your math courses), how did you end up with such a poor GPA? Were you getting F's in your general physics classes that somehow pulled down your average THAT much?

Besides, if you are in your 2nd year, would have only done your general physics courses and have not delve too deeply into the more advanced topics too much. So did you crash that badly in all of your general physics classes?

In other words, I'm trying to understand how you can end up with such a GPA this early in your undergraduate program IF your ONLY problem is with your physics classes.

Zz.

 

[cosmicjelly]

There are a few things that I don't quite understand here.

First of all, you stated that you are in your 2nd year and have GPA of 2.65. Unless you have a different set of curriculum than most students, you have taken mostly math classes, and intro general physics courses, along with electives. Is this correct?

If it is, then IF you state that you have taken all those math courses and presumably, you "can do the math" (meaning you got good grades in your math courses), how did you end up with such a poor GPA? Were you getting F's in your general physics classes that somehow pulled down your average THAT much?

Besides, if you are in your 2nd year, would have only done your general physics courses and have not delve too deeply into the more advanced topics too much. So did you crash that badly in all of your general physics classes?

In other words, I'm trying to understand how you can end up with such a GPA this early in your undergraduate program IF your ONLY problem is with your physics classes.

Zz.

For my first year up to second year,
pre-calc(B) and history(B+) (Took during summer)
English(C) First-year calc(B-) Intro-PHYS(B+)
English(B+) Calc(B-) Intro-PHYS(B-)
Calc(D) Diff-EQ(C) Intro-PHYS(C) (This is when things go downhill, I will be retaking the calc class later)
Art(B+) Comp-SCI(B) Multi-Calc(B) (Took during summer)

Second year
Chem/LAB(B-, C+) Multi-Calc(B-) Classical(C+)

 

[ZapperZ]

For my first year up to second year,
pre-calc(B) and history(B+) (Took during summer)
English(C) First-year calc(B-) Intro-PHYS(B+)
English(B+) Calc(B-) Intro-PHYS(B-)
Calc(D) Diff-EQ(C) Intro-PHYS(C) (This is when things go downhill, I will be retaking the calc class later)
Art(B+) Comp-SCI(B) Multi-Calc(B) (Took during summer)

Second year
Chem/LAB(B-, C+) Multi-Calc(B-) Classical(C+)

Based on what you have given me here, I will say that it isn't just physics that you have a problem with.

Zz.

 

[cosmicjelly]

Based on what you have given me here, I will say that it isn't just physics that you have a problem with.

Zz.

Math, Chem and English, as well?