how to study mathematical physics easily ?
Answers
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.