Oh Physics. I don't miss you.
However, I am going to share all about the class with you Juniors! First, I will make a list about what you should expect from the class. Second, I will give some advice (that I should have followed)...
What to Expect:
1) The grading system is intensely curved. This is good news and bad news. If you aren't a big science person, or quickly discover that you aren't good at physics, you can work the best you can and get a B. If you are a genius at Physics, then you can get an A. However, it is kind of hard to get an A in his class. It is also kind of hard to get a C.
2) There are quizzes ALL the time. Like, at the very least one every two weeks. Usually, it's once a week.
3) You get worksheets. Around 40 a semester (maybe even a quarter, memory is kind of fading). After he explains the material in class, you have the worksheets to practice. He does not grade or view your worksheets however.
4) Getting a 12 and above consistently on a quiz guarantees you at least a B. So, you get a 17 on one quiz, but you don't study so hard for the next one and get a 13? No problem at all :]
5) Ray is an interesting character. I find him humorous. So, at least the class can be semi interesting.
Advice:
Worksheets--Now me, I almost never did them because I had more pressing matters (Stats with Mr. Russell). Sometimes, I would lose them before the end of the school day. That meant I often was unprepared for the quizzes. I suggest you file all your physics worksheets in a folder, paper clipping worksheets that are part of the same unit. When the unit is over, file them somewhere safe. There are midterms and finals (aka, four cumulative tests), and you will want the worksheets to help you study. Also, try to do at least a few of the problems every time you get a new worksheet. You go over it a lot in class, but even doing a little can help you understand the material better.
Quizzes--Memorize formulas*. A bulk of being able to do a quiz is knowing the formulas. You all probably have had Mr. Butler, so you understand rote memorization. After you have the formulas down, go over as many problems on the worksheets as you can. Know how to do the easy ones, even review them before the test, because sometimes, you forget one easy step and BAM, three easy points gone.
Group studying--For some classes, studying together doesn't help at all. What I found out though, is studying in pairs or in a group can really help with physics because it on a formula by formula, problem by problem basis. This might not work for all of you, but it helped me, so it's an idea.
*Some people I know didn't memorize the formula, but actually derived it. Which is insanely terrifying. But you might find this route easier...
Anyway, if you have any more questions about physics, go ahead and comment! Or email me (which I actually haven't given you!) at ckdavis2@uni.illinois.edu :]
More to come soon!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Getting Ready For Junior Year: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
So two nights ago, I couldn't sleep at all. It was one of those weird nights where you're really tired, but there is a bunch going through your head, so you get kind of deeeeeeep. Good news though, I wrote the first draft of a college essay! Fortunately, you guys don't need to worry about that for a year.
For now, let's explore Junior year! I think I'm going to break this up a bit, so first let's look at PE. In a few days, we'll look at Physics, Calc vs. Advanced Topics vs. Stats, the phenomenon that is Mr. Sutton, and anything else I can think of.
Junior/Senior PE
-For the last three years, PE has stayed pretty much the same. The first thing is that you're with your class (unless you have scheduling conflicts), so you know what your speed is compared to others, as well as knowing how different people would work in a team. The second this is that you know how the days work: switching from running to sports, and back again. However, that's going to change.
First off, now you're going to be in PE with us Seniors (hold the applause)! The new challenge is refiguring your place in PE. Let that sink in because...
Now there is more than one period for PE?? Yeah, there is like three or four now. So, some will run mornings, others in the afternoon. But that's nothing compared to...
No more sports (kinda)??? Yes, instead of sports, now you can go to weights. Now me, I enjoy weights more than sports, because I hate competing. There are also more than one weight workout. If you are not really an athlete, I recommend the general workout. However, knowing you Juniors, that's kind of like telling the Saints that if they are not superbowl champions, they should play peewee football... :]. Anyways, no worries: we still play sports from time to time :D. There is one more change...
Junior/Senior health class? Yep, we're bringing back health class straight from Freshman year. There are some differences though. For one, it's only once a month. Another, it's way more discussion based. Thirdly, it's targeted for our age group 16-18, instead of 13-15.
Anyways, I'll post soon! :]
For now, let's explore Junior year! I think I'm going to break this up a bit, so first let's look at PE. In a few days, we'll look at Physics, Calc vs. Advanced Topics vs. Stats, the phenomenon that is Mr. Sutton, and anything else I can think of.
Junior/Senior PE
-For the last three years, PE has stayed pretty much the same. The first thing is that you're with your class (unless you have scheduling conflicts), so you know what your speed is compared to others, as well as knowing how different people would work in a team. The second this is that you know how the days work: switching from running to sports, and back again. However, that's going to change.
First off, now you're going to be in PE with us Seniors (hold the applause)! The new challenge is refiguring your place in PE. Let that sink in because...
Now there is more than one period for PE?? Yeah, there is like three or four now. So, some will run mornings, others in the afternoon. But that's nothing compared to...
No more sports (kinda)??? Yes, instead of sports, now you can go to weights. Now me, I enjoy weights more than sports, because I hate competing. There are also more than one weight workout. If you are not really an athlete, I recommend the general workout. However, knowing you Juniors, that's kind of like telling the Saints that if they are not superbowl champions, they should play peewee football... :]. Anyways, no worries: we still play sports from time to time :D. There is one more change...
Junior/Senior health class? Yep, we're bringing back health class straight from Freshman year. There are some differences though. For one, it's only once a month. Another, it's way more discussion based. Thirdly, it's targeted for our age group 16-18, instead of 13-15.
Anyways, I'll post soon! :]
Monday, July 5, 2010
"Dear Celinda, your academic achievements..."
Hey!
I'm posting, I'm posting! It wasn't an empty promise. I've only done that like TWICE.
Just yesterday, I went through a large portion of the college letters I have been receiving for the past year and a half. 92% went into the disappear-out-of-my-life pile. The other 8% are from colleges that I have on my college list. While I am really glad to clear all that mess out of my room, the big issue was that stacks and stacks of college letters went ignored for so long, because, let's face it, it's annoying as heck after the first 20. To save yourself from the mass cleaning later on, as well as not missing out on useful information, I urge you to build a system now.
There should be three categories for the summer/fall:
-Colleges that you really, really like, and can see yourself going to
-Colleges that are new to you, and you need more information
-Colleges that you don't want to go to
The third category might surprise you, but it exists because the colleges in all three categories are subject to move about. For example, I had University of Chicago in category three. I hated the idea of that college. But then, I did research, I learned more about it, and I even went on a college visit. Now, it's in category one. Until your spring of Junior year, DON'T throw a letter away. Just get three big boxes, mark the category, and put your letters there. Trust me, it makes life much easier. Another word of advice? Make category two's box the biggest, since there are over 3000 colleges in America!!
If you aren't sure about my system, that's fine. This is just an idea. However, you do need a system, so talk to your peers and the other PCCs to see how they are doing it. Think of this as a starting off point on getting a handle on college letters, so you are college smart come spring/your senior year.
*Next Week's Blog Post: Getting Ready For Junior Year: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
-Celinda Davis :]
I'm posting, I'm posting! It wasn't an empty promise. I've only done that like TWICE.
Just yesterday, I went through a large portion of the college letters I have been receiving for the past year and a half. 92% went into the disappear-out-of-my-life pile. The other 8% are from colleges that I have on my college list. While I am really glad to clear all that mess out of my room, the big issue was that stacks and stacks of college letters went ignored for so long, because, let's face it, it's annoying as heck after the first 20. To save yourself from the mass cleaning later on, as well as not missing out on useful information, I urge you to build a system now.
There should be three categories for the summer/fall:
-Colleges that you really, really like, and can see yourself going to
-Colleges that are new to you, and you need more information
-Colleges that you don't want to go to
The third category might surprise you, but it exists because the colleges in all three categories are subject to move about. For example, I had University of Chicago in category three. I hated the idea of that college. But then, I did research, I learned more about it, and I even went on a college visit. Now, it's in category one. Until your spring of Junior year, DON'T throw a letter away. Just get three big boxes, mark the category, and put your letters there. Trust me, it makes life much easier. Another word of advice? Make category two's box the biggest, since there are over 3000 colleges in America!!
If you aren't sure about my system, that's fine. This is just an idea. However, you do need a system, so talk to your peers and the other PCCs to see how they are doing it. Think of this as a starting off point on getting a handle on college letters, so you are college smart come spring/your senior year.
*Next Week's Blog Post: Getting Ready For Junior Year: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
-Celinda Davis :]
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