Physics for Physics Majors Parts I & II
For my first honors experience, I took physics for physics majors parts I and II.
Going into this class, I honestly expected it to be a breeze. I imagined that the material would come to me easily because I had never really struggled with anything math related. I was so wrong! This class was very challenging for me, there were multiple points where I didn't think I would make it through. I quickly learned the importance of seeking help and of having a strong group of people to study with. It was a huge struggle for me watching my peers either drop out of the physics/astrophysics program or seemingly breeze through the material when I was having so much trouble grasping it myself. Coming from a home schooled environment, the idea of reaching out to a professor or peers was fairly foreign to me, but I taught myself pretty quickly. My professor was an amazing instructor and obviously cared about his students and wanted them to learn (if you have the opportunity to take a class instructed by Esposito, do!). Working with other students it was apparent that each one of us had a different learning style, and had a different idea of how to work out problems. We all relied on each other equally, and the sense of community and teamwork was tremendous.
In the end, I earned an A- both semesters, which I am so proud of. But more importantly, I rekindled my love for my field and learned how important having people in your life with shared interests is, not only academically, but eventually professionally. It amazes me how given one question, so many different minds can get to the same answer using an infinite number of paths. Studying with other students helped me branch out from my way of thinking, and look at the broad spectrum of ways to solve a physics problem rather than getting stuck on one or two paths.
I hope to use what I learned this year in this class to help me finish my degree, get through grad school, and eventually be a professor. This class not only helped me academically, but (as hokey as it sounds) as a person. It's so easy to get stuck in one frame of mind, but I've found out that just broadening that spectrum a little has helped me not only solve problems with more ease (well, less trouble), but also understand people a little better.
For my artifacts, I've included two (pretty silly) pictures that were taken during physics study sessions. Every time I stumble across them in my phone, or one of my peers reposts them on FaceBook, it makes me smile. This class and the people in it have had a much bigger influence on me than I expected, and I've broken out of my little home schooled shell due almost entirely to it.
Going into this class, I honestly expected it to be a breeze. I imagined that the material would come to me easily because I had never really struggled with anything math related. I was so wrong! This class was very challenging for me, there were multiple points where I didn't think I would make it through. I quickly learned the importance of seeking help and of having a strong group of people to study with. It was a huge struggle for me watching my peers either drop out of the physics/astrophysics program or seemingly breeze through the material when I was having so much trouble grasping it myself. Coming from a home schooled environment, the idea of reaching out to a professor or peers was fairly foreign to me, but I taught myself pretty quickly. My professor was an amazing instructor and obviously cared about his students and wanted them to learn (if you have the opportunity to take a class instructed by Esposito, do!). Working with other students it was apparent that each one of us had a different learning style, and had a different idea of how to work out problems. We all relied on each other equally, and the sense of community and teamwork was tremendous.
In the end, I earned an A- both semesters, which I am so proud of. But more importantly, I rekindled my love for my field and learned how important having people in your life with shared interests is, not only academically, but eventually professionally. It amazes me how given one question, so many different minds can get to the same answer using an infinite number of paths. Studying with other students helped me branch out from my way of thinking, and look at the broad spectrum of ways to solve a physics problem rather than getting stuck on one or two paths.
I hope to use what I learned this year in this class to help me finish my degree, get through grad school, and eventually be a professor. This class not only helped me academically, but (as hokey as it sounds) as a person. It's so easy to get stuck in one frame of mind, but I've found out that just broadening that spectrum a little has helped me not only solve problems with more ease (well, less trouble), but also understand people a little better.
For my artifacts, I've included two (pretty silly) pictures that were taken during physics study sessions. Every time I stumble across them in my phone, or one of my peers reposts them on FaceBook, it makes me smile. This class and the people in it have had a much bigger influence on me than I expected, and I've broken out of my little home schooled shell due almost entirely to it.