If an informal survey were to be taken asking juniors if physics is their favorite class, it would be likely that a vast majority would say no. It is one of the most difficult classes in the junior curriculum, and it is required. Therefore, a daily challenge that’s faced is how to understand the concepts involving forces, kinematics and linear motion. Instead of memorization and generating ideas, physics involves conceptual problems forcing one to have a new way of thinking.

“Physics so far has been one of my most challenging classes,” junior Grace Sloan said. “The Pre-AP curriculum goes at a faster rate and has added a heavier study load to my home work at night. It has really challenged me in my studying skills as well as test prep. In my opinion, physics is the hardest science course I have ever taken.”

Although teachers are happy to answer questions in class, some students may need some extra help especially before test or quizzes. The final grade depends on how well students are committed or the likelihood if they’ll study at all.

“I go to a tutoring group. There are about five to eight people who show up and participate for each weekly session. It helps a lot with understanding the concepts and getting ahead in the class. Because of the difficulty level of the class, I find myself having to study up to two hours a night in order to fully understand everything. Sometimes we do not have as much homework so it does not require as much time as long as I understand what it is over,” Sloan said.

Regular classes cover more material than AP classes, but in less depth. In AP TAG physics, one year covers one college semester.

“In AP TAG, we move pretty fast so we do not get to do projects like other classes,” junior Landry Myers said. “I think it is hard to understand the new material at first, but after you practice it repetitively, it becomes easy. I do not study a lot, but the web assigns, which are small online assessments, take several hours so it basically prepares you for the next quiz or test. The class is really different but I like it, and Mr. Barrows is a great teacher.”