Phys2210 LA thoughts


We asked our undergrad Learning Assistants about their thoughts, as physics seniors, on how to study / prepare for exams in a class like this one. Below are their responses -


(Danny Rehn) -

If I were going to study for this exam, I would first write a list of all of the topics that we had covered, and then get a sense of which topics I felt I knew fairly well, and which ones I felt I needed to spend more time on (though I would go over everything, regardless of how well I thought I knew it). Next, I would make sure that I had done the reading and try to go over my notes to refresh my memory about the different topics covered. Then I would try to start solving problems. I would pick out problems from the ends of the chapters and try to solve them, or at the very least set them up. Once I start to feel comfortable with solving problems on one topic, I would move on and try problems of another topic that I had written on my list. After doing all of that, I would try to go back and work through some of the homework problems for a second time.

Just reading over your solutions (or the solutions posted online) is a good way of tricking yourself into thinking that you know how to solve these problems. There is a difference between reading over a solution and thinking it makes sense and sitting down and forcing yourself to figure out how to solve the problem. That is why I prefer to solve new problems, since it forces me to come up with the method of solution, which is exactly what the test will ask you to do.

__________________

 

(Nic Kuon: How I Would Study For Your Exam )

• Derive the Chapters:
- Most chapters go in order from some simple principles to more complex ones. I usually go through and derive all equations and principles from the chapter and put them in the form of a study guide. After all, any application that could be placed in front of you during the exam come from these principles.

• Pick Some Good Problems:
- Go to the back of the book and pick some problems that you think are good. These problems should NOT be very complicated, but should instead focus more on the conceptual things that you should know. Pick some odd AND even numbered problems so that you can check some answers but also have some that force you to figure out whether the answer is correct. If the problem you have picked turns out to be an algebraic mess, skip it. You need to get your physical principles in line and if the problem is too messy a derivation, it probably is not helping you.

• Design Your Crib Sheet:
-While you are deriving your chapters, you can use this time to write up your crib
sheet. Try to know the gist of your derivations and only put what is absolutely necessary on your crib. A crib sheet with size -5 font will be difficult to read and irritating on the exam. After all, a lot of students (including myself) say that they never really use their crib sheets during the exam

• RELAX!
- Do not stay up all night cram-jamming! After you reach a certain point you will only be hurting yourself. Go home (or stay home, wherever you like to study) and get a GOOD night sleep. Don't stay up until 3 when you have to be up by 8. You need your sleep to do well. Try (though this sometimes is difficult to do) to not psych yourself up too much for the exam. Having a relaxed attitude will help you, not hinder you. It allows you to think clearer.

Either way, this is how I usually approach the exam process. I hope you all do well, as I am sure you will. GOOD LUCK!