Hello friends and family, Airnest is back with another addition to his personal blog to rant on about life, physics, and any other subject worth mentioning that Mr. T and the internets can read and enjoy. The topic at hand tonight is "How Well Do I Think I Did in My First AP Fiziks Semester?"
Well first off, I would like to start off saying that the days spend from August 20 to December 19 in Room 72 were all sorts of fortunes for me-- some good, some bad, some ugly, some triumphant. I take the good with the bad because everything is an experience which wouldn't be the same without every little happening whether positively charged or negatively charged, moments which were really attractive or really, repulsive.
I do think that I got off to a red hot start then lost steam somewhere in the beginning of October, but was still chugging along, ran into some serious friction in November by furious college apps, but somehow managed to right the ship and keep a respectable pace all the way into finals week.
I credit my blistering inital velocity into the semester to the isolation time I spent in the summer slaving away at the homework. For the whole Unit 0 I prided myself on actually completing all of the summer assignment, and that force kept my momentum exponential for a long time. Actually, the summer work kept paying off all the way into centripetal motion, into electricity, and even a bit into magnetism. The major concepts I have down, I know it's just the really tough equations and problems I struggle with.
That's another thing with me and physics-- I enjoy learning it and going through the material more than any other subject I've gotten a hold of. The simple concepts of it really interest me, by far more than any war I've studied or novel I've read or any Mathematical concept I've memorized. I don't want to mislabel it as passion, but my sure interest keeps me going through the course and helps me in good times and in bad.
I guess that's why I can recall so many times where I've stuck around or stopped by Tillay's throughout a school day after first period, the stuff is cool. One time in particular I stayed for a fifth period and I got to catch an amazing Hewitt video about light and reflection and refraction-- blew my mind. He actually told a student to smoke and blow towards the laser to solidify his lecture. Crazy guy, that Hewitt. Kind of like Mr. T but not as sharply dressed, haha
My study habits morphed into "I gotta do this" to "It depends how I feel". Fortunately for most nights I always was in the mood for physics, even if that meant not being in the mood for Calculus. I did a great majority of my work and kept up with assignments, never really falling behind on anything or pulling a "John", I can say I kept things together for the most part.
The workbooks did wonders for my problem solving, especially the Hickman. Speaking of John, she should look into the Hickman workbook sometime, it would really help her out. The concept development workbook is just confidence-boosting questions to help organize information.
On a side note, Fusion is the most flawed website I have ever used, plus it's just plain ugly. The section links I know for a fact I have used, ranging from college use to research in engineering, to surveys, to good websites for understanding a certain unit more. I thank Big T for the useful links.
My problem solving is getting there. Like everyone else, it needs some work, but its headed in the right direction. My assumptions could use more help but I'm banking on trying to piece together the concepts I know better to improve myself here.
What I really think helped this semester is the many emails I've sent and received from Mr. T, not just about physics but about a whole bunch of topics. It helps me knowing I can go to someone with solid feedback about things, someone who can help me solve a magnetism problem in one email then talk about life and options in the next. I make an effort to keep a dialogue, and these talks and inside information goes a long way.
On that note, I believe I have accomplished enough to merit a 5 for the first semester. It sure wasn't pretty, but I know I put forth the effort and time towards the class and material, which helps. Not asking for 6++'s here, but it could get there with more "oomph".
Wishing the internets a very safe and merry Christmas!
BIG E
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2 comments:
Big E,
The road is a journey, not a destination as the quote says. But what isn't said, is the "experience." Some people go through life without discovering the experience aspect to life...too bad they do not have time to look up and see what it's all about...
Thanks for sharing a few "Kodak Moments" that you took along your journey this semester.
Keep focused on your goals, believe in yourself, and know that their is a higher power opening a window whenever a door shuts...and, that every experience prepares you for something in the future...and, your life really does change amazingly when you open your ears...the eyes discern a lot more that defines who you are and what you can be!
Be Happy, Enthusiastic, Passionate, Empathetic, and give something away every day to someone less fortunate than yourself...My grandma tells me this every time we talk. If it worked for someone who has made it for over 100 years, who am I to argue with time tested advice?
Merry Christmas!
Mr. T
The workbooks sure are a hidden treasure now that I've actually used them over Christmas break. :]
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