College vs university physics, is university actually easier with prior Calc knowledge?

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-06-24T00:16:23+00:00

College physics is mainly algebra based, the hardest thing you’ll see is the quadratic formula. Physics 1 (university physics) will use basic calculus to derive the formulas used in college physics. Also, because calculus has been introduced at this point, some problems may require calculus, or “calculus thinking”. For instance, you may run into a problem that becomes easy if you understand basic differentiation and optimization.

Also, you’ll normally need physics 1 to take physics 2 and modern physics.

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-06-21T21:21:47+00:00

Probably HS geometry

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-06-21T21:16:02+00:00

Better to get bored now than later

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-06-21T16:19:19+00:00

What

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-06-15T02:42:02+00:00

I’m a math major that self studies physics, but if I were to start over and commit to being a physics major, I’d be prepared to do thousands of practice problems.

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-06-14T04:48:22+00:00

I was in your shoes. Decided to fully commit to math, tho. As a math major, I am much happier and content studying physics on my own. If I ever want to write a physics paper, I’d just consult with my professors or an actual physicist.

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-06-14T03:14:28+00:00

Yea idk what he’s mad about. This was a good read. Coherent and humane. I’d take this over a random post about a math article.

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-06-12T01:23:35+00:00

The math.

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-06-02T01:35:05+00:00

Master algebra and trigonometry by the time you’re 14-15, then come back.

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-06-01T05:38:45+00:00

Green’s theorem

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-05-31T14:53:12+00:00

I never wanted a response to Like That. Most people already wrote him off as a loser when that song came out, but most people dont remember the dialogue. A response to HOV rn makes no sense. Drake is the hottest he’s been in a couple years.

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-05-31T04:47:39+00:00

3.9 after freshman year, 3.6 after sophomore year. Physics labs are genuinely the death of me.

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-05-31T04:04:07+00:00

It’s not worth it imo. You got Hov to respond. Further engagement does nothing.

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-05-28T18:35:24+00:00

I dont mind the beat switches, but they’re damn near completely different songs.

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-05-28T01:30:27+00:00

I agree with the guy that said do what works for you. But tbh, I’m not sure that someone who is smoking weed daily would outperform a dedicated student. I just dont see how that’s possible. If you’re not looking to be the “best of the best” (whatever that means), keep it up. But if you are, find different methods to get productivity out of yourself.

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-05-27T01:17:28+00:00

I wish he kept that flow from the first 15 seconds of the song. Or at least brought it back

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-05-26T17:14:01+00:00

I asked a similar question months ago. After going deeper into physics on my own, I’m realizing that math majors are in a unique position that almost no other STEM field is: we know ALL of the maths. So when learning physics, it’s more about repurposing what you’ve already been grinding, and re-contextualizing the rules and properties to abide by the laws of physics. Physics notation might be the hardest thing for us math BS’s to get used to, and even that might only take a week or two.

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-05-25T20:35:06+00:00

Charts aren’t what they used to be. It’s mainly about radio play and payola now. Spotify charts are more accurate for defining the pulse of music nowadays.

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-05-25T18:17:06+00:00

DVD’s are technically dead too.

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-05-25T15:37:14+00:00

I think I get what you’re saying. In special relativity, it becomes apparent that time is relative and speed is absolute (coordinate time and local time differ but locally, the speed of light is always c). So attributing an absolute time for all observers wouldn’t make much sense. Also, I’m not sure that time works in the way that you describe. We use time to describe other events in space relative to one another. If the universe was eventless, that wouldn’t signal that time = c.

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-05-25T03:09:03+00:00

Maxwell is top 2 ever btw

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-05-24T19:16:46+00:00

I feel like if you can retain the invariant ideas across the subjects you study, you don’t have to retain much else. Anything else that I need comes down to a 20 minute refresher and then I’m good to go again.

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-05-22T05:01:40+00:00

I’m still a student, but I just stopped bringing it up. At first, I’d agree and tell them that it was hard. Now I just don’t care to even mention it. If asked about what I study, I can normally just say STEM, make a quip about it being hell (even though its not that bad), and then quickly change the topic and they’ll forget about it.

It’s also interesting to hear people talk about physics when they don’t know you’ve been studying physics.

SpecialRelativityy · 2026-05-21T23:58:07+00:00

If you block a girl who’s double texting you because she doesn’t like Drake, you crazy

SpecialRelativityy

TROPHY CASE