Anyone You Know Did The YESS Program?

[Basel A]

Now I'm no older than you are, taking pretty similar classes, so really, I don't have much room to talk. But honestly I'm kinda in the same boat. This is the first time in my life I've been legitimately challenged in all my classes.

But two weeks into junior year, I think the biggest thing is losing the distractions. Computers, TV, internet, they kill productivity. Just by cutting myself off during studying/homework time has allowed to survive loads that are literally double or triple what I had last year.

As for formulas, I totally sympathise. It absolutely seems pointless. The only real aid is that in certain cases, it is somewhat simpler to use one form over another.

As for remembering formulas, only two things have really worked for me: flashcards and tons of practice. Personally, just by using formulas so many times it'll ingrain, I don't know if you're the same way but it seems like it makes sense.

Edit: Final thing, if you know what the teacher will be lecturing on, read that section of the book before class, and use class to make sure you understand, not learning for the first time.

Anyway, best of luck. I'm sure the above is what almost everyone says, but hey, additional advice can't hurt.

[kstl99]

One thing that has come up a few times in this thread is not understanding the value of certain things being taught. I have been amazed at how many worthless things I was taught that I ended up needing to know. School cannot teach everything you need to know so they teach you how to learn. The only way you will remember the formulas, for example, is to do lots of problems until you get the feel for which one to use when. It takes hard work but you are really preparing for your entire carreer. You will need to know how to learn things that do not immediately interest you as nobody gets a job doing exactly what they want, especially at first. If you are lucky as the years go by you will be able to work your way into your dream job and you may change your mind before you get there. Lastly, you are asking CD for advice on this. I think you need to ask your teachers. We can only give general advice whereas they can give much more valuable help, and most all teachers want to help a student who is really trying.

[davidthefat]

Eric: LOL Your school allows laptops at your school? Oh wait, my school is just slow to recognize that we are in the 21st century -_-... Yea I put all my notes on actual paper, just they can be very skimpy, messy and I am just terrible notetaker. I need to improve that too.

KSTL: Yea I am loving AP Physics right now, its very very easy when I know the formulas, its basics algebra with a dash of Trig in there. Its very relevant to my future career, and I am actually anxious to learn new things in that class. I didn't go to my teachers because I usually have a very tight schedule I have to abide by, especially during lunch. I go out for lunch every day, so I might not have time if I stay and talk... And I have personal issue about a certain teacher; I won't say because I will get in trouble. Lets say it goes against my morals

[EricH]

My college actually pretty much requires laptops.

The fun part is that most of the professors after the first year don't do anything with the computing power they have available...

[Chris is me]

Pretty much any college in the US allows and basically requires laptops. It's just how it is.

[JamesCH95]

Practice problems, practice problems, practice problems, especially in AP Physics. Solve all of your homework problems using just symbols, then plug in numbers at the end.

Take good notes, and copy them over.
Always ask questions.
Read the book until you understand exactly what it's saying.

Study with a friend, go through examples, explaining them step-by-step to each other until you both understand it. This has improved my understand of material more than any other technique, and consequently earned me many As on tests and in classes.

[davidthefat]

FML, calculated my overall GPA assuming I get all A from now on... Gotten to the point that I can't ever raise my GPA above 3.6 weighted... FML

[kstl99]

Originally Posted by davidthefat

FML, calculated my overall GPA assuming I get all A from now on... Gotten to the point that I can't ever raise my GPA above 3.6 weighted... FML

I don't know about the YESS program but I would think that colleges that saw improvement would be impressed with the turn around. It is never too late to try to get the best grades, both for your college hopes and because you learn alot.

[Josh Fox]

I'm going to have to echo what James said.

The thing I attribute most to my success in AP Calc and AP Physics last year was studying with friends. Oftentimes, you find that you'll understand something that the other person doesn't, and vice versa.

Go figure that by teaching you end up learning a lot through the process.

Also, I agree with kstl99. As someone who's been through all of the college prep talks (aka anyone who was a senior in high school), if you show improvement, especially with a difficult course load, then that will be very impressive.

Combine that with good test scores and who knows what the limit is.