PH201

Tips for Success

It is difficult for me to give advice on how to succeed, given the different experiences, preferences, and aptitudes of students. But here are some ideas that work for many:

Do

1. See above for expectations on use of resources on Canvas.

2. Substantively participate in group work. If you find the work easy and your teammate doesn't, then take the time to explain what you are doing or saying (this helps both of you). If you find the work difficult and your teammate doesn't, then ask questions until you understand. Always share the workload and work on one problem at a time.

3. Start your work in advance of the due dates so you have time to seek out help if needed.

4. Reference the tip sheets.

5. Recognize that there is never a single way to determine anything in physics. It always depends on the information that you have. For example, acceleration can be determined from a kinematics equation, inferred from free-fall, or calculated using known forces and Newton's second law.

6. Attend office hours or communicate on Canvas when you encounter problems. Ask specific questions as often as necessary.

7. Use office hours wisely. Here are a few things I can  do:

   • Provide guidance on how to manage your work for the class

   • Explain general principles regarding the topic for the week

   • Help you with specific parts of class assignments when you are stuck

   • Refer you to help with personal problems such as finances or mental health

   • Give advice (and/or make referrals) regarding your academic or professional plans (if it is at least remotely related to physics)

8. Prepare for tests with the following:

   • Do the required work for the class honestly and to the best of your ability.

   • If you find a particular topic or chapter difficult, then spend some time reviewing your work, including the solutions available on Canvas.

   • Organize your paper notes, solutions, lab reports, and anything else you might want during the test.

9. Reach out and find study partners in the class.

10. Consider joining a student club or attending an athletic event, musical performance, or play. Persistence in college is correlated with participation in campus activities. 

11. If all of the above doesn’t seem to be enough, then consult with me. I want every student to succeed!

Don't

1. Ask me what to focus on for quizzes exams. The chapter(s) covered by the quiz or exam are what you should focus on. I find it an unethical question to ask; it is essentially asking for me to give you an unfair advantage over other students.

2. Ask me to "look over your homework" or "look over your lab" before turning it in. You should ask specific questions instead.

3. Use ChatGPT or similar AI websites. It sometimes provides wrong answers and it is a violation of academic honesty if you use it without citation. And it is unlikely to help you learn.