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How To Study Physics: 5 Techniques To Be

Outstanding

Physics is a fascinating natural science that has contributed greatly to helping


us understand the world around us and to develop technologically. We discuss some
top tips below to help you gain an understanding of physics and achieve good
exam results in this subject.

How to Study Physics: 5 Techniques to Improve your


Memory
1. Master the Basics:

Physics is based on a number of central theories from which everything else develops. It is
therefore very likely that the problems you will have to solve in the exam will be based on these
core concepts or a variation of these. Consequently, instead of trying to memorize complex
problems, it is advisable to assimilate the basic concepts and theories which will help you
understand the underlying principles and the connection between different subjects.

An effective way to get an overview of these basic physical concepts and their relationships is by
creating a Mind Map such as below:
2. Strengthen Your Maths Skills:

As already mentioned, if you are studying Physics then you will see that it incorporates many
mathematical elements. This means that you would easily master this subject if you were adept at
tackling multiple formulas and problems. Review or study Mathematics alongside your Physics
and this will help you to improve your management of the formulas and concepts.

3. Simplify:

Try to simplify the situation as much as possible. The Physics problem you are reading may
seem difficult to solve at first but take another look and begin to analyze it and you will realize
that is easier than you first thought. It is important to remain calm and try to bring the problem
to a situation which you are familiar with by simplifying it in your mind.

4. Use Drawings:

A great way to implement the point above is through drawings or graphics. We have already
discussed the benefits of Mind Maps but drawings can also be essential when in order to
understand and study physics. Whenever you can, we recommend that you perform a drawing to
illustrate a concept just like Sheldon below:

5. Use Flashcards to Study:

Take note of new words, units of measure, general principles and other concepts that arise. This
will help you follow the thread of theory and strengthen the new information which will have
positive consequences when faced with problem solving. 1) Concentrate in class. (Tumpuan di
dalam Kelas)
Fizik berbeza dengan matematik kerana fizik memerlukan pelajar memahami konsep. Buku
tidak dapat menjelaskan konsep dengan baik berbanding dengan guru. Penjelasan konsep adalah
lebih mudah difahami jika diterangkan oleh guru berbanding dengan membaca dari buku .

2) Bertanya selalu.
Jika kita memahami penerangan oleh guru, terus bertanya kepada guru. Jangan disimpan kerana
semakin lama semakin banyak kita tidak tahu.

3) Buat banyak latihan


Sebab ini menyebabkab ramai pelajar pergi ke tusyen. Sebenarnya dua perkara diatas adalah
lebih penting. Latihan sukar dibuat jika 2 perkara di atas diabaikan.

4) Bina keyakinan.
Saya cuba membina keyakinan dgn menggalakkan pelajar membuat latihan di laman web ini.
Laman web ini asasnya dibina untuk membina keyakinan dikalangan pelajar untuk merasa yakin
tentang apa yang dipelajari di dalam kelas. Latihan nya mudah digunakan dan ia senang untuk
difahami.

HOW TO STUDY PHYSICS


From my perspective Physics is a truly beautiful subject. It is the most fascinating,
stimulating, awe inspiring subject in the world. However, when you are first learning
Physics it can seem a very difficult subject, even if you too really enjoy it or are fascinated
by it.

The following are a few suggestions that may help you to study Physics in an efficient,
effective and productive manner.

GENERAL POINTS:
Acquire a quiet place to use as your "Study". For high school students this will
often be your bedroom.

Set up a good study space - desk, comfortable chair, good lighting & ventilation,
storage space for books & equipment. You must be comfortable before you can
study effectively.

Remove all distractions. No music, TV, video or computer games or any other
distractions can be allowed to interfere with your study time. AND PLEASE - don't
even attempt to convince me that YOU can study better with the TV or music
turned on. This is a complete misconception. You may believe that it is true but I
can assure you, there are many scientific studies that clearly show that not even the
very top students can study as productively with such distractions present as when
the distractions are removed. So, get rid of all distractions while you study. You can
listen to the music, play games, watch TV in your breaks. In the end you are only in
senior school for a very brief period of time. Make the most of it.

Organize a regular study routine that works for you. Everyone is different and it
may take a little bit of mucking around to find the routine that works best for you,
but once you have it, stick with it. Consistency is the key. Study must become a
habit, especially if you are thinking of going onto tertiary study. Note that you do
not have to be as rigorous as studying exactly the same subject or topic at exactly
the same time each day or week. What is important is that you give everything its
fair share of time. Things you find more difficult should even be given slightly more
time than things you find easy.

Get all daily homework done each day. Plan and set time to work on homework
that is due at some time in the future. Study something each day. This may be for
as little as fifteen minutes if you have had a huge amount of homework that day.
You may be able to study for much longer than this each day or on some days. BUT
study something each day! Does this mean 7 days per week? Totally up to you but I
would suggest that your study program should run on at least 6 days per week.

Set goals for yourself each week and each term. Reward yourself when you achieve
these goals.

Stay fit and healthy. Get plenty of sleep, exercise and relaxation. You cannot study
well if you are worn out. It's all about balance. Try to balance work with play.

POINTS SPECIFIC TO PHYSICS (and other Sciences):


Use your copy of the Syllabus as a Study Guide to help produce topic summaries in
your own words. You should produce summaries in this way as you cover the
material in class. Don't leave it until just before your exams to write all your
summaries. If you do not have a Syllabus, ask your Teacher for one or download a
copy from the Board of Studies Website - the URL is on my Links page in the
Favourite Links section. Make sure you get the right version. It is the Stage 6
Physics Syllabus approved June 1999 and amended October 2002.
Ensure you can answer all points mentioned in the Syllabus to the level required by
the verb used. You must learn the meanings of the verbs as specified in the Glossary
of Terms published by the Board of Studies. Try the Verb Practice exercises located
at this link. Make sure your teacher has supplied you with a Glossary of Terms.

Your teacher should be able to provide you with scaffolds for each verb. Scaffolds
are examples of words and sentence structures that can be used to effectively answer
each verb.

You must practise writing answers to each particular verb. Get some practice
questions from your teacher or from one of the many Physics summary or question
books around and write out the answers. Discuss your answer with your teacher or
with someone else who knows what they are talking about. Ask how to improve
your answers.

There is only one way to improve your skill at solving mathematical problems. You
must do as many problems as possible. You must ask your teacher or again someone
who knows what they are doing for guidance when you strike trouble. Force
yourself to practise mathematical physics problems. Write down what you know
from the question and identify what you are trying to find. Use the things you have
been told about in the question as a guide to the appropriate formula or method of
solution. Train yourself to ask the right questions to guide you through the
problem. You won't solve the problem by just staring at it. You have to think it
through and the best way to do that is to ask yourself questions about the situation.
It takes practice but you will get the hang of it if you persist.

With formulas my advice is simple. Even though you are given formula sheets in
every exam, why waste time having to look them up? Learn all formulas off by
heart. Yes, it's boring and painful but it will save time in exams.

When trying to learn formulas or anything else off by heart repetition is the key.
Say the thing you are trying to remember out loud over and over again or write it
down over and over again. Do this until you can remember it. Then a day later see
how much of it you can remember. Test yourself and if you cannot get it 100%
accurate, repeat the process. Repeat the process at regular intervals leading up to
exams.

EXAM TECHNIQUE:
Psych yourself up for exams. Tell yourself you have prepared well, that you know
everything you need to know and that you are going to do well. Of course, you must
have actually done the study & preparation for this to be of any use at all!

Have all the necessary equipment & spares. Know the details of the exam - venue,
length of exam, topics being examined, number of sections, types of questions,
special requirements etc. Also, work out how long you should spend on each section
in the exam.

Arrive at the venue in plenty of time for the exam but do not stand around
discussing what you or other people may not have studied. Do not be worried by the
"panic merchants". Be confident in yourself and in what you have studied. Be
positive.

Don't try to cram 15 minutes of extra study into your head just before you enter the
exam room. If you have studied, you already know it. If you haven't, 15 minutes
will make no difference at all.

Listen to & read all instructions carefully. Answer the questions in whatever order
best suits you. I always found it best at high school to simply do the paper from
question 1 through to the end. If you cannot do a particular question in a
reasonable time, leave it and come back at the end. Never leave a multiple choice
unanswered - if you still do not know the answer at the end of the exam guess it.
Stick to your times for each section. There is no point spending an extra five
minutes getting an extra mark or two in one section and then not finishing the exam.

Stay calm in the exam no matter what happens. Panicking wastes time and achieves
nothing. If you have a mental block on something, move on and come back later.
Almost certainly you will remember whatever it was you were trying to think of. If
you think of something important that you think you might forget before you get to
use it, write it down somewhere, so you can read it later when you actually need it.

Some people find it helpful, especially in long exams to know some breathing or
relaxation exercises that they can do to control their stress. If you think this may
help you, speak to your teacher, Year Coordinator or School Counsellor to find out
who to see or where to go to learn these techniques.
If time permits, check over your answers.

Make sure your name or number is on all answer sheets & hand everything up as
requested by the supervisors.
PHYSICS IS FUN AND IT FILLS YOUR MIND AND ENLIGHTENED YOUR
HEART SO BETULKAN NIAT SEBELUM BELAJAR dan berdoa lah
selalu..ALLAH AKAN BUKAKAN PINTU HATI KITA,

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