brabronacus
New Member
Posts: 9
Sept 17, 2014 23:10:36 GMT
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Post by brabronacus on Jan 16, 2017 18:46:33 GMT
I'm a freshman in high school and I love physics I'm in ap math I'm a straight A student but I've been thinking sense last year to grow up and go into the science field I don't like biology but physics im really good at so I picked physics on the first day of school she had us do a lab and I got a 33 on it I knew nobody in my class she yells at us almost everyday because we "don't do our work" when we all pretty much do she assigns us chapters in our textbook and expects we know everything just by reading some pages she barely teaches us anything we are halfway through the school year now and I don't even know if I should continue looking into physics she has kind of ruined it for me. I just wanted to share my story thanks for reading.
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Dalai Mama
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La Pea Boheme
Posts: 6,985
Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on Jan 16, 2017 18:49:28 GMT
Don't let one teacher (or person for that matter) dictate the rest of your life. You're in grade 9 - slog your way through it, learn as much as you can independently, and don't worry about the mark.
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Post by SockMonkey on Jan 16, 2017 18:54:31 GMT
I'm a freshman in high school and I love physics I'm in ap math I'm a straight A student but I've been thinking sense last year to grow up and go into the science field I don't like biology but physics im really good at so I picked physics on the first day of school she had us do a lab and I got a 33 on it I knew nobody in my class she yells at us almost everyday because we "don't do our work" when we all pretty much do she assigns us chapters in our textbook and expects we know everything just by reading some pages she barely teaches us anything we are halfway through the school year now and I don't even know if I should continue looking into physics she has kind of ruined it for me. I just wanted to share my story thanks for reading. Well, here's the thing. You're only 1 semester in, so it's early to make a decision about the rest of your life, and you certainly don't want one class or one teacher to decide for you, do you? Hang in there. I agree that getting better at learning on your own is a super important skill. YouTube (Khan Academy) can be a great help there. And, I know you don't have a great relationship with this teacher, but have you tried talking to her? And not like, a "Your class sucks and you suck" kind of talk, but a "Hey, can I meet with you after school some time this week? I really want to do better in this class and I'm hoping you can give me some advice or extra resources." And, if your fellow students are in the same boat, that's a great way to reach out and make some new friends and maybe find a study group. YES, it's super awkward and hard to reach out and make the first "Do you guys wanna study together" move, but what if you find some great people to hang with there? You're going to be okay. |
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Post by anxiousmom on Jan 16, 2017 18:58:58 GMT
Physics is a really hard class. My youngest took AP physics and it was the first time I saw him actually studying for a class...and he had a really good teacher. Is there someone (a guidance counselor?) that you can talk to about the issues you are having? You might not be the only one who is complaining... And like Dalai Mama said, this is the time where you are totally supposed to be exploring what you like and what you are good at-don't let one teacher dictate your life's path. |
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Dalai Mama
Drama Llama
La Pea Boheme
Posts: 6,985
Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on Jan 16, 2017 18:59:42 GMT
A study-group is an awesome suggestion!
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Post by jinxmom2003 on Jan 16, 2017 19:03:48 GMT
I'm a freshman in high school and I love physics I'm in ap math I'm a straight A student but I've been thinking sense last year to grow up and go into the science field I don't like biology but physics im really good at so I picked physics on the first day of school she had us do a lab and I got a 33 on it I knew nobody in my class she yells at us almost everyday because we "don't do our work" when we all pretty much do she assigns us chapters in our textbook and expects we know everything just by reading some pages she barely teaches us anything we are halfway through the school year now and I don't even know if I should continue looking into physics she has kind of ruined it for me. I just wanted to share my story thanks for reading. Pay better attention in your English/writing classes as well. |
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Post by SockMonkey on Jan 16, 2017 19:07:21 GMT
May we please remember we are addressing a young teen with whom we do not have a relationship, and who has come here asking for help, and keep our responses kind and constructive?
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Post by freecharlie on Jan 16, 2017 19:07:58 GMT
1) what ap math class?
52) anytime you write, you should do your best. Capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and mechanics are your friend. It helpsychological get your point across better and gives practice for academic papers.
3) one teacher can ruin a subject, but that doesn't sound like this. This sounds like you thought you could skate by because you always have and this time it didn't pan out. Finish the course, finish high school and closer to senior year choose a path. Be flexible many people have no idea what they want to do at 15
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Dalai Mama
Drama Llama
La Pea Boheme
Posts: 6,985
Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on Jan 16, 2017 19:11:29 GMT
May we please remember we are addressing a young teen with whom we do not have a relationship, and who has come here asking for help, and keep our responses kind and constructive? Yes. Please. |
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,652 
Location: The Grand Canyon
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Jan 16, 2017 19:18:37 GMT
I agree with the above posters. Don't let one class/teacher determine your educational path. Don't give up on the physics just yet. Take all the math and science classes you can and if you find a particular subject that interests you, learn more independently. There are many great online sources and also see if your school has any kind of mentoring program (and if not - maybe help get one started! It can be helpful to see how pure academic classes translate into the "real world" and potential careers). Being proactive about your education and taking initiative will serve you well.
I'm an engineer and when I was in high school I knew I liked math and science, but wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I got it sorted out when I went to college. There were some classes I struggled with and some that I instantly clicked with - and it wasn't always what I expected (for instance, classical mechanics physics was hard for me, but I did well in electricity and magnetism).
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AnotherPea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,970
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Post by AnotherPea on Jan 16, 2017 19:35:46 GMT
I agree you shouldn't let one class/teacher determine your future. I also agree that it sounds like you got a bit too comfortable with the ease of classes in middle school and may have bit off a bit more than you can chew for your age/maturity level. Physics can be a very hard class. For some people it is easy and for some it is incredibly difficult.
I don't know your teacher. I'm not in your class. But I do work with people that have very high standards and expectations for their students. They often have children saying the same things about them. Yet they have students that appreciate the challenge as well.
Is physics a freshman level course where you are or are you on an advanced track? Here it is typically a junior/senior level course and that is the level of work teachers expect to see. Even when some freshmen take the course.
A few years ago I had a very bright 13 year old in my advanced sophomore level course. I told parents on Meet and Greet night that I have junior/senior level expectations for my advanced sophomore classes. The 13 year old assumed that because he skated through all of his other grades that he could skate through my class as well. He got a 20-something on his first lab and started crying in the middle of class when I handed back the papers. He ended up doing well in my class but he decided to see it as a source of frustration instead of a challenge.
I promise you this will not be the only hard class you have in high school. Please see it as a challenge.
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 16, 2017 20:18:45 GMT
Don't let someone else determine what you want to do with your life - a bad teacher, a peer or adult who tells you "you can't". If you want it - go for it.
We need more women in the science and technology fields.
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Post by christine58 on Jan 16, 2017 20:54:40 GMT
Why on Earth would a freshman come here to ask this??? Just curious. And where I teach---you best have a great math background to be in physics and I don't know of any freshman taking a physics class. But whatever
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Post by SockMonkey on Jan 16, 2017 20:55:23 GMT
I remember being in 9th grade and I was in honors Biology and I got a D first semester. I never got a D in my LIFE, except for maybe penmanship in like, 2nd grade and really, does that even count? I was mortified. Horrified. Convinced my world was ending and everything was stupid and the teacher was stupid and I was stupid.
But, in reality, I was just used to not having to work so hard and find out information for myself, and read and research. I needed to do more than just take notes and get ready to spit back what teacher told me. I had to do more on my own. And I asked for help, and my teacher turned out to be NOT stupid, and super kind. Because most teachers really do want you to succeed. They don't want you to hate their class. But, failure is part of learning. Not everything will be super easy the first time you try it. That doesn't mean you shut down. You gotta sit down and figure out what you didn't get, and what you need to do. Your teacher can help. If she won't/doesn't, find people who WILL. Maybe that's your counselor. Maybe it's someone else in the class. You will get through this and you'll be better on the other side of it.
Second semester I got an A, and I went on to take AP Bio my junior year. Also A. You're gonna figure this out. Don't shut down. You got this.
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Post by destined2bmom on Jan 17, 2017 12:50:31 GMT
I know that people who yell can grade on your nerves. And I can tell you are trying your best to do well. Don't give up. You are learning how some people act in life. Maybe she doesn't know how to get through to your class. But don't give up on your dreams based on one class and one teacher. You may run into more throughout your high school and college years.
I have a 9th grader taking Honors Physics, Honors Geometry, and Honors Intro to Engineering. Many of the kids are having a tough time. The other posters are right. Try to get a study group and try to see how math and physics tie into one another. The three classes that I mentioned above, sometimes all three teachers get together and teach to show how all three tie in together.
I wish I could point you to a website that would help you with physics. Maybe google and see if you can find one.
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Peamac
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Refupea # 418
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Post by Peamac on Jan 17, 2017 13:40:01 GMT
Is physics a freshman level course where you are or are you on an advanced track? Here it is typically a junior/senior level course and that is the level of work teachers expect to see. Even when some freshmen take the course.  I've heard geat things about Khan Academy online, so definitely check that out. And when you go to your teacher to ask for help, be sure to have a starting point, like "I'm having trouble understanding Chapter 5 and the way I'm supposed to figure out xyz." If you just say, "I don't get it", it doesn't give your teacher much to work with and she'll either have to ask a bunch of questions to clarify what you really mean, or she'll start at the very beginning and go over a lot of stuff you already know. Both of which can be time-consuming. (((Hugs))) to you!  |
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rickmer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,185
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Post by rickmer on Jan 17, 2017 13:45:01 GMT
DD is in grade 11. some of her favourite teachers have been the ones that she didn't immediately click with, thought were mean or unfair.
turns out, in most cases they were excellent teachers who held her to a higher standard than the "hey, i'm so nice but you might not learn much" kind of teacher.
and i agree, speaking to the teacher about specifics you are struggling with shows you care. she might be more inclined to go above and beyond for a kid that actually does care.
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blue tulip
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Posts: 3,049
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Post by blue tulip on Jan 17, 2017 13:55:01 GMT
I've been where you are, but in senior year.i struggle with math, but still my advisor thought physics would be a better fit for me than chemistry. I had a 3.8 average at that point, and I failed physics. miserably. there was not tutoring available, and I did not have the math foundation to truly understand the class. prime example- calculations would be based on something that I would learn in math 3 weeks later.  it was miserable, I was so frustrated. but I still got into my first choice college even tho my GPA was dropped, and now I have a good job working in, of all things, chemistry. if you are only 3 weeks in and you can really see it's not for you (because of the material, not the teather) then I would see if you could switch. if you can't.. just try your best. tutoring availability in general is much better than 18 yrs ago when I was in school. and worst case if it doesn't go well, carry onward and upwards. |
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Loydene
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Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Post by Loydene on Jan 17, 2017 16:18:46 GMT
May we please remember we are addressing a young teen with whom we do not have a relationship, and who has come here asking for help, and keep our responses kind and constructive? I think that was kindly stated and highly constructive. As a former English teacher - I couldn't even read the statement to get to the proposed question. |
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Post by beanbuddymom on Jan 17, 2017 16:22:09 GMT
First of all, don't beat yourself up, because as many have said, Physics is a tough course.
Secondly though, I am rather surprised that the school you attend allowed you to take this as a freshman. In our district there are prerequisite classes you have to take prior to taking Physics.
Also, I imagine you knew no one in class because they were upperclassmen.
The teacher assigning reading and then assuming you know things is because at that level (again where Physics is mostly taught to upperclassmen) to prepare that level student for the realities of college life. As you go through high school teachers hold your hand less and assign more independent work where they assign reading and if you don't understand you are meant to try to find out the answers on your own. How you do that is either asking the teacher for help during study hall or teacher help hours, however your school is, or by seeking other methods, like independent research (online or by asking other students).
Good luck, I think you are probably stepping into a class that you're not quite ready for, so don't be hard on yourself. Take the rest of the math and science requirements and take it again in a few year, you will likely do better once you've had a few years and classes under your belt.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:03:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2017 16:31:20 GMT
An important skill, no matter what job field you choose, is going to be to persevere even when you're working with or for people with whom you don't get along. Don't let one bad egg ruin your passion. If you really love the field, maybe the thing you concentrate on learning this semester is how to keep doing your best even when the personality problems are difficult. You may one day have a lousy boss or lousy coworker and you're going to need to sometimes say keep at it anyway. This is good practice for that. Sometimes looking for a different lesson to be learned (in this case, perseverance) helps make the situation more tolerable if the first goal is blocked (such as learning a ton about physics in this class).
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:03:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2017 17:04:44 GMT
I might suggest checking the posting history of this person. One other top about hot food at Walmart in 2014.....
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Dani-Mani
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Posts: 3,710
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Post by Dani-Mani on Jan 17, 2017 18:42:11 GMT
I might suggest checking the posting history of this person. One other top about hot food at Walmart in 2014..... I don't understand why this matters? |
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
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Post by scrapaddie on Jan 17, 2017 18:42:23 GMT
Why on Earth would a freshman come here to ask this??? Just curious. And where I teach---you best have a great math background to be in physics and I don't know of any freshman taking a physics class. But whatever Or AP math.... and if this is a real person in the US, a life science will be required. My first impression was that someone was trolling, but if you are indeed a person asking for help, you have gotten some excellent advice |
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Post by mom on Jan 17, 2017 18:44:22 GMT
I might suggest checking the posting history of this person. One other top about hot food at Walmart in 2014..... I don't understand why this matters? Well, for starters - in the past they had no trouble making a complete sentence. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:03:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2017 18:52:34 GMT
I don't understand why this matters? Well, for starters - in the past they had no trouble making a complete sentence. Plus, when they joined back in 2014, they would have been around 12. It could happen, but unlikely as we really don't have anything to offer young kids. In fact, at times we are decidedly NOT kid-friendly! So why would a child join up? And their very first post be about Walmart chicken? Sorry, but this poster popped up on my radar too. If she/he? is legit, then I wholeheartedly apologize. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:03:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2017 19:14:18 GMT
I might suggest checking the posting history of this person. One other top about hot food at Walmart in 2014..... I don't understand why this matters? Being a forum member of lots of HR/Law forums, we often state that others should check posting history, because it gives a more rounded picture of the person posting and can provide some backstory if needed. I found it odd that a young teen would find this board, reach out to a bunch of middle aged ladies (are there really that many young ladies out here?) and post about Horrible Teachers honestly. Something just felt "off". So I went to look to see what the other 9 or so posts were and formed an opinion. I didn't state my opinion, just that others might want more backstory. |
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perumbula
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,439
Location: Idaho
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Post by perumbula on Jan 17, 2017 19:17:51 GMT
As others have said, do you really want to let one person you don't even like determine the path of the rest of your life? really?
You are going to be faced with bad teachers. It happens. you know how this one works, so now you can work with it. you know you have to do the reading. You know you won't get much from the lectures. Get what you can from the book and then start looking for other sources. Put together a study group. Do what you can for you, because you are ultimately responsible for what you know.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:03:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2017 19:29:34 GMT
Well, for starters - in the past they had no trouble making a complete sentence. Plus, when they joined back in 2014, they would have been around 12. It could happen, but unlikely as we really don't have anything to offer young kids. In fact, at times we are decidedly NOT kid-friendly! So why would a child join up? And their very first post be about Walmart chicken? Sorry, but this poster popped up on my radar too. If she/he? is legit, then I wholeheartedly apologize. I was surprised too and also surprised that teens were allowed to register as members. Isn't a freshman aged 14 or so ? I know that anyone can see posts as it's a public forum but only members can see other members profiles. |
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it was miserable, I was so frustrated. but I still got into my first choice college even tho my GPA was dropped, and now I have a good job working in, of all things, chemistry. 
