<p>I'm in 11th grade and I love physics and math. I always loved physics, but math grew on me, especially after I started calculus. I know that my passion is physics and I would never think for one second that I was destined for anything else except physics. The problem is I don't think I'm actually good at physics or math. While I can easily understand abstract concepts and get a visual for what's going on, I get lost in the numbers quickly. On the other hand, I'm a talented writer, and the humanities have always come extremely easy to me. While I appreciate the humanities for light personal enjoyment, I don't feel as deeply about them as I do with the sciences.
I'm in Calculus BC and Physics B and I have a B in both classes. I got a 78 on my physics test today and I feel like I keep sinking deeper into things beyond my control. Sometimes I feel like giving up and following the path of least resistance (pursuing the humanities), even though I know at heart I would be unfulfilled and dejected.
The problem may be that I don't study. I'm not used to studying because for most of my high school career I could just get by by absorbing the information in class. If it's the studying, could someone please point me to some instructional guides on how, or any reference at all? Does anyone have any relevant personal experience or advice they could share?</p>
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<p>If you expect not to study, don’t major in anything math or science related then, because I’m afraid you just might kill yourself. In college physics it’s normal to study 30 hours for a test, and barely pass.
What you said is similar to playing a piano for the first time and expecting to play mozart music and then saying you have no talent because you can’t do it. You’ll only get talent if you practice, especially in a subject like physics.</p>
<p>^ I agree.</p>
<p>I have a talent in Biology. In Honors Biology the subjects came really easy, now in AP Biology, I have still have to study, and read. I still have to work very hard. I really like the piano analogy because it’s so true. You really need to start studying, you can’t just rely on “absorbing the information in class.” I bet if you studied, you probably would’ve got an A on the physics test.</p>
<p>All majors (at a worthwhile college) and careers are challenging and require studying and hard work, including the humanities. Just because you can’t ace a test without studying doesn’t mean you’re untalented in the subject, and you shouldn’t be afraid of hard work if math and physics are truly the subjects you like best. Never having to study is a problem, not a talent, because it indicates that your school isn’t challenging and you’re going to have problems when you get to college.
Studying isn’t difficult, but I guess you sort of have to find a method that works best for you. I like to watch college video lectures on whatever the topic is and then do problems or practice quizzes. Other people can just sit around and read, or do problems from the textbook, or make flash cards and other study aids if applicable.</p>
<p>I’m the same with history. Either decide to just do it anyway, or pursue something else academically and continue with your passion in your own time :)</p>
<p>I appreciate the feedback.</p>
<p>There are some people who are just wired to “get” math without studying much or doing problem sets. Some of them love math, some don’t. Then there are people who love math but aren’t wired that way at all. Those people will have to seek out all the help available to do well in the harder math oriented classes such as calc and physics. You may be the second kind so study, do the problem sets and go for extra help - it will pay off. It is also not unusual for the “natural geniuses” to flounder when they hit the less computational but more theoretical types of math in college whereas you might actually excel.</p>
<p>It’s math for me. The math they teach in school is very easy, but I feel that I am terrible at competitive math exams like the AIME. I really want to make USAMO this year, and I study several hours a day for the AIME, but I just don’t feel like I’m improving. </p>
<p>I’d also like to make top 50 on the HMMT, but the chances of that are close to zero. :(</p>