2 answers
Lekzy
Student
Arizona City, Arizona
1
Question
Asked
698 views
How do I graduate with a first class result in physics?
I'm a student and I've always had the dream to graduate with an excellent result. however, it's quite challenging to study physics because most of it deal with uncertainty.
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2 answers
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
480
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi Lekzy, this is a great question. I am not an expert on physics, but here are a few ideas:
- Ask your Physics teacher for advice. He/she likely has time-tested advice. If you are in the class now, he/she can personalize the advice to your performance.
- Physics involves a lot of math so perhaps your Math teacher could help, too.
- Think about how you learn best. Do you do better with others? If so, maybe get a study partner or form a study group. Are you a visual learner? If so, draw illustrations of principles. Do you learn by listening? If so, obviously stay focused in class but also there are loads of videos on the internet.
- Get alternate explanations, if necessary - if the explanation of a concept in class isn't making sense, see if you could find another explanation, such as on Khan Academy (see link below)
I have included several links below with tips on studying physics, which I hope you find helpful. Good luck!
Read Five Tips -https://www.edrawmind.com/article/how-to-study-physics.html#:~:text=Visual%20learning%20is%20always%20effective,help%20you%20to%20memorize%20more.
Read Carnegie Mellon Tips - https://www.cmu.edu/student-success/other-resources/fast-facts/succeed-in-physics.pdf
Read Khan Academy - https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics
Read Wikihow tips - https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Well-in-Physics
- Ask your Physics teacher for advice. He/she likely has time-tested advice. If you are in the class now, he/she can personalize the advice to your performance.
- Physics involves a lot of math so perhaps your Math teacher could help, too.
- Think about how you learn best. Do you do better with others? If so, maybe get a study partner or form a study group. Are you a visual learner? If so, draw illustrations of principles. Do you learn by listening? If so, obviously stay focused in class but also there are loads of videos on the internet.
- Get alternate explanations, if necessary - if the explanation of a concept in class isn't making sense, see if you could find another explanation, such as on Khan Academy (see link below)
I have included several links below with tips on studying physics, which I hope you find helpful. Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps:
Wala'a B
Healthcare and Student Succeses Advocate
10
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Wala'a’s Answer
Peace, Lekzy,
I hope you’re doing well and staying encouraged on your journey.
Physics was one of my most difficult — yet strangely beautiful — subjects. I struggled hard to earn an A in it, but I learned a lot through the process. I totally understand how challenging it can feel, especially with all the abstract concepts, formulas, and yes, the uncertainty it often brings.
That said, your dream of graduating with a first class is absolutely possible. Here’s the advice I wish someone had given me earlier, and it applies not just to physics, but to all your courses:
1. Connect With Your Professors Early and Personally
As soon as the semester begins (or even before, if possible), reach out to your professors. Especially in large classes, it makes a huge difference to introduce yourself, express your goals, and share where you feel you struggle. Professors often have insight into what most students miss — and some will even share how to avoid those pitfalls. Ask about:
Their top advice for excelling in the course
Recommended resources or textbooks
If they know any former top-performing students who might be open to tutoring
This doesn’t just help you academically — it shows your initiative, and professors remember that when opportunities arise. Never hesitate to ask them for help, right as you need it.
2. Active Learning Beats Passive Studying Every Time
In physics, reading the textbook is not enough. The key is doing.
Solve problems daily, even small ones — repetition builds mastery.
Teach what you learn to someone else — or pretend you're teaching it. It helps solidify your understanding.
Don’t just memorize equations. Understand why they work, and where they come from. The “why” behind physics helps make the “how” stick.
If something doesn’t click, don’t be afraid to find new sources: YouTube channels, online forums, visual simulations — sometimes a different explanation makes all the difference.
3. Learn According to How You Learn Best
Are you a visual learner? Try color-coded notes, diagrams, and video explainers.
Do you learn best by hearing? Record lectures or yourself explaining concepts out loud.
Kinesthetic learner? Build models, act out processes, or write equations over and over until they feel like second nature.
Whatever your learning style, own it unapologetically — and don’t be afraid to customize your approach. What works for someone else may not work for you — and that’s okay.
Something I personally did, as a physiology lover, was tie in physics concepts to how the body works. Circuits? Homeostasis. Forces? Bone and muscle sciences. Resistivity? Aortic walls and aneurysms. I was lucky that my professor himself helped tie these things into our learning in our class as well, as a lot of us were biology majors. Discuss these things with your professor; maybe there is a way something could fit, for both physics and other classes.
Lastly, (and I mean this from the heart) don’t let fear of uncertainty stop you. Physics literally thrives in uncertainty. Even some of the greatest physicists didn’t always have all the answers. Success is impossible without failure; it's what makes the journey so much more fun than the outcome. What mattered is that they kept going, questioning, experimenting, and showing up with curiosity.
You’ve got this. One formula, one failure, one “aha!” moment at a time.
I hope you’re doing well and staying encouraged on your journey.
Physics was one of my most difficult — yet strangely beautiful — subjects. I struggled hard to earn an A in it, but I learned a lot through the process. I totally understand how challenging it can feel, especially with all the abstract concepts, formulas, and yes, the uncertainty it often brings.
That said, your dream of graduating with a first class is absolutely possible. Here’s the advice I wish someone had given me earlier, and it applies not just to physics, but to all your courses:
1. Connect With Your Professors Early and Personally
As soon as the semester begins (or even before, if possible), reach out to your professors. Especially in large classes, it makes a huge difference to introduce yourself, express your goals, and share where you feel you struggle. Professors often have insight into what most students miss — and some will even share how to avoid those pitfalls. Ask about:
Their top advice for excelling in the course
Recommended resources or textbooks
If they know any former top-performing students who might be open to tutoring
This doesn’t just help you academically — it shows your initiative, and professors remember that when opportunities arise. Never hesitate to ask them for help, right as you need it.
2. Active Learning Beats Passive Studying Every Time
In physics, reading the textbook is not enough. The key is doing.
Solve problems daily, even small ones — repetition builds mastery.
Teach what you learn to someone else — or pretend you're teaching it. It helps solidify your understanding.
Don’t just memorize equations. Understand why they work, and where they come from. The “why” behind physics helps make the “how” stick.
If something doesn’t click, don’t be afraid to find new sources: YouTube channels, online forums, visual simulations — sometimes a different explanation makes all the difference.
3. Learn According to How You Learn Best
Are you a visual learner? Try color-coded notes, diagrams, and video explainers.
Do you learn best by hearing? Record lectures or yourself explaining concepts out loud.
Kinesthetic learner? Build models, act out processes, or write equations over and over until they feel like second nature.
Whatever your learning style, own it unapologetically — and don’t be afraid to customize your approach. What works for someone else may not work for you — and that’s okay.
Something I personally did, as a physiology lover, was tie in physics concepts to how the body works. Circuits? Homeostasis. Forces? Bone and muscle sciences. Resistivity? Aortic walls and aneurysms. I was lucky that my professor himself helped tie these things into our learning in our class as well, as a lot of us were biology majors. Discuss these things with your professor; maybe there is a way something could fit, for both physics and other classes.
Lastly, (and I mean this from the heart) don’t let fear of uncertainty stop you. Physics literally thrives in uncertainty. Even some of the greatest physicists didn’t always have all the answers. Success is impossible without failure; it's what makes the journey so much more fun than the outcome. What mattered is that they kept going, questioning, experimenting, and showing up with curiosity.
You’ve got this. One formula, one failure, one “aha!” moment at a time.