ADVICE FROM THE CLASS OF 2017-18

At the end of the 2017-18 year, I asked my AP Physics students to list two or three bits of advice that would have made their lives easier if they'd known them at the beginning of their time with me in AP Physics. It wasn't supposed to be a love-fest, and though it may read like propaganda, what you are seeing really is an unedited, verbatim transcription of what they wrote. Hopefully, you will find their points useful.

--Be aware of how the grading works in the class and use that to appropriately manage your anxiety.  Coming from an anxious and perfectionistic student, I can say that I had to adjust to getting (bad) scores I’ve never before received.  How it works is that your grade will be buoyed by labs, homework and extra credit (which you definitely should do even if you don’t feel you need it at the time of assignment), and then gradually drags down by each successive test.  Don’t let that get you down.  AP Physics will force you to think long term, keep things in perspective and maintain realistic expectations and healthy standards.  Don’t let up on the tests; the trick is doing well enough on them that they don’t bring your grade down too much.

--Use your resources.  AP Physics will make you feel stupid, but Mr. Fletcher will not.  He’s always willing to help and will likely judge you less than you judge yourself.  Remember that there are two sets of class slides at your disposal (Fletch’s and Mr. White’s), as well as a host of AP links to practice problems, videos and a textbook written by Fletcher himself.

--Try not to waste homework.  Despite being free points and excellent practice, undone work piles up fairly quickly.  Just don’t do that.

--Try to enjoy the challenge.  You’re learning how to read a problem, feel absolutely dumb for a few minutes, then figure it out anyway.  When there’s time to review for cumulative exams, you’ll have a chance to put everything in context and find the beauty in underlying connections and patterns.  Have fun with the struggle and learning new facts, math and intuitions in a rapid but supportive environment.

--There’s not as much extra credit as you think, so take every opportunity provided.

--Test are out of your control, so take time to do homework and get all the point on the labs.

--You’re going to try your best and still do poorly; accept it, it’s just the new norm.

--If you’re struggling, then read the textbook and take notes on it.  It actually helps you understand what’s happening in class.

--Take comfort in the fact that everyone is suffering with you.

--Some people do effortlessly well.  Those people are not your friends.

--Just accept that stories are part of Fletch’s teaching style.

--You’re going to walk out of at least one class crying.

--Don’t fall behind on homework.

--Use the online resources.

--Take time to derive the topics yourself.  Don’t just memorize the equations.

--Don’t get behind on your labs.

--Look at your old tests before the AP.  They’re full of the type of questions you’ll see on the AP test.

--Know the theory behind every equation.

--Turn in your labs on time.

--Do the practice tests.

--DO THE EXTRA CREDIT.  There still isn’t enough, but do it anyway.  It’s better than nothing.

--Chipotle nights are only as helpful as you make them.  Either come prepared with questions, or don’t come at all.

--Read Fletch’s book-summary pages and watch Crash Course Physics!  Also, get used to bad test scores even when you thought you studied so well.  You didn’t.

--The bathroom near Poly 109 is really good for crying in.

--Use both teacher’s PowerPoint slides.  They offer two different ways of explaining information.

--There are some times you will have to prioritize another class over doing well on a physics test.  That’s okay.  You just need to make sure you turn in the labs, homework and extra credit on time.

--Use the time you have on the weekends to review what you’ve learned in class that week.  It will lead to less cramming the night before.  That said, try to do all your other homework before the night-before-an-AP-test so you can devote all your time to studying just physics that night.