This summer, following a 6 week research internship, my dad thought it would be nice to put me in Stanford’s High School Summer College where I am currently taking the course Physics 23S, which is close to AP Physics C E&M. I initially objected and said I really didn’t want to go and that it was a money trap, but my dad was so engrossed in the idea of going to Stanford that he convinced me. Because of the internship, I am taking the later session of the program running from now until a week into my school year. However, as a consequence of missing the earlier session that has the prereq for this course, I am taking a more advanced course rather than Physics 21S (Stanford doesn’t check for prereq), the introductory Physics course. He thought I would be prepared for the class because I took a freshman Honors Physics course (currently moving into Junior year), but today was the first day of the course and I had literally no idea what was going on and I can’t follow the material. The book, also, does not help and I feel so lost at the moment. I can drop by Friday for a full refund, but my dad drove me all the way up here (900 miles) and is now working from here to accommodate this program and refused the idea that I don’t get the concepts because I usually am a straight A student, 2200 SAT, 5 on AP tests kid. Obviously, I am not near the level for this course, but I have no idea what to do… PLEASE help.
Is there a way for you to drop the physics class and take another class instead, whether it’s physics or not? That seems like the best thing to do, and, if it counts for college credit (which I hope it does otherwise you’re probably paying a lot for little real benefit), and maybe if it isn’t, your academic information is protected by FERPA and while I suggest that you get your dad to understand, if that’s really not possible, you can potentially switch the class without him knowing.
Show your dad this post.
Tell him, “Dad, I really have no idea what is going on in this course. I’m not trying to get out of it. I have no idea what they are talking about.”
Given your circumstance, I would see if you can transfer into another class. It’s understandable, as unless you taken every course offered at your school in a subject like math or science, it would prove to be extremely difficult. As you have take one physics course as a freshman, the difficulty is understandable, as you may not have the necessary math or science background to comfortably move up into that level of course yet. I would recommend transferring into a English, history, etc. course. That way, the background knowledge issue won’t be as big of an issue. As you wild most likely have to take a history or english credit your freshman year or college, it won’t set you back any to take English/history credit now, than a intro physics credit. Plus, it won’t dual enroll if you don’t pass the class, so it would be more beneficial for you to take another class you can excel in.
From your many threads and posts it is obvious that: 1) you are very bright; 2) you have issues with your dad; 3) you frequently feel that the sky is falling; and 4) things don’t always turn out the way you predict they will.
FWIW my advice is to stay with the course and give it a chance. You may surprise yourself and do well. And if it turns out that you don’t do well, you can always say to your father, “See dad, I told you it was over my head. Will you please start to listen to me?”
@MidwestDad3 hah. listen to me and take me seriously? nah, he won’t, probably not until I’m his age. he’s one of those people that no matter what you achieve, it isn’t enough because there’s more to it.
yes, my dad expects alot and that tends to inflect pressure and stress on me, CC is a vent that I love to share this on because you all provide world-class advice.
I’m not sure how you feel about it, sir, but, to me, even physics is something that should be at least understood after thorough study. i’ve been ravenously hitting chapter 17 for 3 hours but nothing is getting through.
In your previous physics class, did you learn about electricity/magnetism? Do you have a calc background?
@RandomMuse no and no. the course has very little calc though.
I haven’t taken physics c e and m, but it just be doable to learn stuff on your own if you have a basics physics background. You probably should look over stuff on circuits and currents and stuff, but I know most people at my school self-studied physics c and they ended up fine (like 4 or 5) on the ap tests. Obviously, a class at Stanford is different (I don’t know anything about how it is). You should probably ask the professor about some review material. Say that you need to study some stuff to catch up to where the class is, and you want their advice about what books to read/etc. Otherwise, doing what @knitterkitty says is probably your best bet.
High school freshman physics, even honors, has NOTHING to do with COLLEGE freshman general physics. No wonder you’re lost.
OP has no time to “catch up on physics c e and m”. It’s an intensive program at Stanford; to follow, you need to have, not just knowledge, but mastery of the pre-reqs. You can’t “learn as you go”.
@joeweller:
Ask to switch classes. Say you don’t have the pre-req for this class, only now realized it because your dad signed you up for it, want to stick it out at Stanford, but need to take a class that’s appropriate for your learning. Take any class where you have the pre-reqs and where they still have space.
@MYOS1634 thanks for the advice. I started out behind because there were assignments that included reading two chapters for the first lecture. I didn’t have my account by that point so I pretty much sat through a pointless lecture, writing down everything on screen so that I could at least refer to it later. From then on its been a mess, two chapters a day that takes 6 hours of reading and the expectation that I understand the book as nothing is taught. Is that how college is? Midterm is on Friday and I’m sure I’ll not do too well. I think I should have gone at a slower pace because this is 4 weeks and there is NO other course available. Explained to my dad and he very disappointingly said that I could still do it, but he would let me drop it. He said a C or D would be fine when I know it definitely isn’t because no one would take a kid who almost failed one of their courses. I’m just going to make it clear that there is no way I can get through this.
Isn’t there another class even if it’s not 4weeks ?
you’re supposed to read the chapters before the class ande there should be a tutoring center where you should spend 2hours every day. it sounds like the pa ce is 1week of work in a day in which case 6hours of hw is likely the minimum - expect 2-3hours of work for each gets of class in a regular college class , which translates to 6-9 hours a week. considering you can’t do 9hours a day the professor probably limits things to what is manageable … provided you have the necessary pre requisites.
Have you or haven’t you taken physics C?
And while a summer class gives you am idea of what college is like it bears no positive impact on admissions - your professor is probably a TA code has zero impact on undergrad admissions. whereas aD will send the wrong signal. in addition if you plan to apply to medical school the D will count in their gpa calculation and will severely impact your odds - even a C will.