In order to be successful in Honors Physics this year, I plan to follow the steps to being a good student.
First, I will arrive to class on time with my materials; a calculator, ruler, pencil, paper, and, of course, my fabulous textbooks. The class requires that I bring my materials, because even if you shouldn't bring a knife to a gun fight, a knife is still a lot better than nothing. Bringing my materials will help me learn along with the class, instead of using all of my free time to copy (boring) notes. I also plan on using my class time wisely, even if it means not doing stuff I'd rather do, like decorating my calculator or sleeping. Using my class time wisely will also mean I can do stuff in my free time (see above).
I will read the material assigned to us by the wonderful Mrs. Gende, as well as using the links that were so thoughtfully compiled by the same charming Mrs. Gende. The links and notes are a treasure trove of knowledge waiting at my fingertips, and anyone would be insane not to use it, because, after all, knowledge is power. And I'm going to need an astronomical amount of will power to finish my homework.
Using the information; such as the website, the textbooks, and the class wiki, is the obvious next step. After all, if our illustrious teacher felt the need to give us access to these resources, it's probably a good idea to use them. I can use the website to keep up with the homework that was assigned in class. Keeping up with assignments is a crucial part of being a good student, because you won't know what you're is talking about, otherwise. And nobody likes a liar. Make up work is also an essential task which everyone should be able to take care of by themselves, by talking to Mrs. Gende when you plan to miss a class, or when you've been sick. Now, after you've done all of the homework and make up work, you should make sure you understand by yourself, or what do you plan on doing during a test? Calling your parents and asking for help?
While you're following all of these steps you'll probably learn something, like the basic symbols and vocabulary we use every day during class. If you don't notice that you can't understand anything on the homework or classwork, then there's probably something wrong with you. The bottom line is, learn the symbols and vocabulary. And while you're at it you might want to figure out how to work your graphing calculator, and how to solve the problems. If you've learned the vocab and symbols and how to use a calculator, but you still can't solve the problems use the four-step rule, which states that there are four steps to every problem. The four steps to every problem are 1. Data and unknown, 2. equation, 3. substitute, and 4. check. Data and unknown is when you write down what you know (data), and what you don't know and need to find out (unknown). You should also check and see if you need to change any of the units, because this is the time to do so. Equation is when you write and equation and solve it. Substituting is when you substitute any new values you have found for their counterparts in the equation. Number four is pretty obvious. You check the answer. Great, so now that you can solve problems, you have to graph them. Make your graph look good, with appropriate labels and scale and using a ruler (if necessary), because not even the best teacher in the world could grade something they can't read. Unless they give you 100% just to be nice.*Hint Hint*
Now, you need to be organized because, otherwise you can't find your beautifully made graphs, and you might even forget materials, which would break the very first rule. That's quite a setback. Constant assessment (read- pop quizzes) is another eventually that you should be prepared for, not that Mrs. Gende is sadistic or anything. Now that you're taking a pop quiz every day and are extremely organized, you should also become self sufficient. Because Mrs. Gende is busy helping everyone who's not self sufficient. Even though we're all supposed to be. And if the self sufficiency isn't working for you, you should seek help through communication, because even though Honors Physics students and teachers are smart, they're still not telepathic.
