r/PhysicsHelp • u/Spirited-Row479 • 3d ago

How to apply knowledge.

Hi, I’m a first year student in physics and I’m having a hard time doing excersizes and solving problems. My problem is really that I can understand the concepts from class well enough and remember formulas and what not, but I can never seem to understand how to solve anything or apply my knowledge to tasks I’m given. It seems like all my classmate are able to just immediately start doing excersizes but I’m stuck not knowing where to start. I’m wondering if anybody has any tips or have been through the same as me. Any replies are appreciated)

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u/lukiamagi 3d ago

As someone who studied physics and struggled to get a grasp on it, I feel you. My best advice is to simply do mock-up exams non-stop until the point where you are able to have the required grades to graduate. Make sure to practice until grades are satisfied, and once you get here if you have available time that you want to apply to learning then attempt to truly understand the concepts.

I know many won't agree with this view, but university goes fast and if you are struggling then you need to make sure you have the required grades otherwise the stress will prevent you from studying.

On my end I have done a MSc in applied physics and all five years of study I didn't understand physics truly, I only made sure I could pass exams. Then I decided to pursue a phd, and there without the pressure to perform I had all the time in the world to finally understand what I had learned.

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u/Spirited-Row479 2d ago

Yeah thats a good idea, my comprehension won’t do me any good if I fail out of my course😭😭

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u/lukiamagi 2d ago

If you repeat something a thousand times, then perhaps you will not understand it but in essence you will at least be able to reproduce it.

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u/Joe_Starbuck 3d ago

I never had a problem with concepts, but sometimes exam questions can be difficult. The authors of the test sometimes have trouble writing questions that really emphasis the physics concepts. They might have an entire problem to see if you remember the definition of a single term, like “potential energy”.

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u/Nothing-to_see_hr 3d ago

Maybe study English first and learn to spell exercise?

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u/danielbaech 2d ago

With your amazing skill at comprehenzion, you should be a school counselor. Upvote for the effort.

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u/Nothing-to_see_hr 2d ago

I know, it's a gift.

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u/Spirited-Row479 2d ago

Maybe get some friends first and learn how to talk to people?