How I Got a PERFECT SCORE In Year 12 Physics (99.95 ATAR Tips & Tricks)

Archer Newton
25 Apr 202115:25
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script discusses the common challenges faced in learning physics, emphasizing that it doesn't have to be difficult. The speaker, a second-year medical student, shares personal strategies for excelling in physics, including focusing on understanding rather than rote memorization. The importance of inquiry-based learning, context relevance, and the application of Kolb's experiential cycle for effective study and exam preparation is highlighted. Tips for approaching assignments and exams are provided, advocating for consistent study techniques and the use of resources like university textbooks for deeper comprehension.

Takeaways
  • 🎓 Physics can be challenging due to complex concepts like quantum physics, relativity, and electromagnetism.
  • 📚 Despite its mathematical nature, physics requires a deep understanding of concepts beyond just calculation skills.
  • 💡 The speaker excelled in physics by focusing on understanding the fundamentals and applying effective study techniques.
  • 🌟 Physics involves both quantitative problem-solving and qualitative explanations, necessitating a well-rounded approach.
  • 🔍 Emphasis should be placed on understanding the subject matter deeply rather than superficially memorizing facts.
  • 🌐 Kolb's experiential cycle is highlighted as a beneficial method for learning and applying physics knowledge.
  • 📝 Assignments should be approached with an understanding of the marking criteria and relevance to the subject matter.
  • 🧠 Mind mapping is recommended as a tool for visualizing connections between different concepts in physics.
  • 📆 Regular practice and spaced repetition are crucial for long-term retention of physics concepts.
  • 📖 Using university-level textbooks can provide a deeper understanding of physics topics not fully covered in school materials.
  • 🚀 Consistent effort in learning techniques and understanding concepts will lead to better performance in tests and exams.
Q & A

  • Why do many people find quantum physics and electromagnetism difficult within physics?

    -Quantum physics and electromagnetism are often considered difficult due to their complex concepts and the level of mathematical understanding required. These subjects push the boundaries of traditional understanding and require a deep grasp of the underlying principles and theories.

  • What is the significance of Kolb's experiential cycle in learning physics?

    -Kolb's experiential cycle emphasizes the importance of experiencing, reflecting, conceptualizing, and applying knowledge in a continuous learning process. In physics, this cycle helps students to not only understand the theories but also to apply them in various contexts, enhancing their problem-solving skills and deepening their comprehension of the subject.

  • How does the speaker suggest using inquiry-based learning to improve understanding in physics?

    -The speaker suggests using inquiry-based learning by asking questions and using curiosity to identify and address weaknesses in understanding. By focusing on 'why' and 'how' questions related to specific concepts, students can build a deeper understanding and make connections between different areas of physics.

  • What is the role of mind mapping in studying physics?

    -Mind mapping serves as a visual representation of the relationships between different concepts in physics. It helps students to organize their thoughts, identify connections, and encode information into long-term memory more effectively. This active process of relating concepts enhances understanding and retention.

  • Why is it important to not solely rely on notes when studying physics?

    -Notes serve as a reference for later times, but relying solely on them can limit the learning process. The majority of learning and memorization should occur through active engagement with the material, such as asking questions, making connections, and reflecting on understanding. Over-reliance on notes can lead to passive learning, which is less effective for mastering complex subjects like physics.

  • How does the speaker approach test preparation in physics?

    -The speaker recommends a consistent approach to test preparation by using past exam questions on a weekly basis and maintaining a high level of readiness. This strategy involves spaced repetition and continuous learning throughout the term, which prevents the need for last-minute cramming and ensures a deeper understanding of the material.

  • What is the advantage of using a university textbook for a high school physics student?

    -A university textbook provides a more in-depth exploration of physics concepts, offering a richer understanding beyond what is typically covered in high school curriculum. By using such resources, students can address their inquiry-based questions more effectively and gain a comprehensive grasp of complex topics like quantum physics, electromagnetism, and relativity.

  • How does the speaker suggest students handle written questions in physics exams?

    -The speaker advises students to embrace written questions by practicing inquiry-based learning and mind mapping. This approach helps students to explain concepts clearly and relate them to various scenarios, preparing them to answer both calculation and conceptual questions confidently.

  • What is the key to effective studying according to the speaker?

    -Effective studying involves hard thinking rather than just spending long hours. It's about being intentional with study techniques, focusing on understanding the 'why' behind concepts, and using strategies like inquiry-based learning, mind mapping, and spaced repetition to enhance memory and comprehension.

  • What advice does the speaker give for assignments in physics?

    -For assignments, the speaker suggests ensuring that statements are qualified with evidence, understanding the marking criteria, and prioritizing performance standards. It's also important to provide context-specific information rather than just definitions, and to make it easy for teachers to award marks by avoiding overly complicated or fluffy writing.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Introduction to Physics Study Techniques

The speaker introduces the topic of physics as a challenging subject, often perceived as difficult due to concepts like quantum physics and electromagnetism. Despite this, the speaker emphasizes their personal success in physics and aims to share strategies for achieving high scores. They mention the importance of intentional studying and learning, especially in a subject like physics which is more than just applied maths. The speaker also highlights the need to understand the underlying principles and not just the formulas, as well as the importance of being familiar with the subject outline and what is legally tested in exams.

05:00
🤔 Embracing Inquiry-Based Learning and Mind Mapping

The speaker discusses the power of inquiry-based learning, encouraging the audience to ask questions and use curiosity to identify weaknesses. They explain that understanding the importance and relevance of concepts is crucial for memory retention. The speaker also introduces mind mapping as a tool for visualizing relationships between concepts, which is essential for effective learning. They caution against over-reliance on notes, emphasizing the importance of active processing and understanding over passive note-taking.

10:02
🔄 Applying Kolb's Experiential Cycle to Physics

The speaker explains Kolb's experiential cycle as a method for enhancing learning in physics. They detail the process of starting with an experience, reflecting on it, and then abstracting and experimenting to create new experiences. The speaker emphasizes the importance of reflecting on one's confidence in answers, especially incorrect ones, as a learning opportunity. They also discuss the application of this cycle to both written and calculation-based questions, and how it can lead to more efficient learning and better exam performance.

15:02
📝 Strategies for Assignments and Exams

The speaker shares tips for tackling physics assignments and exams. They stress the importance of contextualizing definitions and ensuring that all statements in assignments are backed by evidence. The speaker also advises on the use of keywords from the syllabus to align with marking criteria. For exams, they recommend using inquiry-based learning and mind mapping to build understanding and retention. They suggest using university textbooks for deeper understanding and emphasize the benefits of regular practice with past exam questions to maintain readiness and avoid last-minute cramming.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Quantum Physics
Quantum physics is a fundamental theory in physics that describes the behavior and interactions of particles at the smallest scales, such as atoms and subatomic particles. In the video, it is mentioned as one of the challenging concepts that students often find difficult to grasp, highlighting its complexity and importance in the field of physics.
💡Relativity
Relativity refers to the theories of special and general relativity proposed by Albert Einstein, which fundamentally changed our understanding of space, time, and gravity. The video emphasizes the difficulty students face in understanding relativity and suggests using inquiry-based learning to delve deeper into concepts like reference frames and Einstein's postulates.
💡Electromagnetism
Electromagnetism is one of the four fundamental forces of nature and involves the interaction between electric and magnetic fields. The video script notes that electromagnetism is another complex area within physics that can be challenging for students, and it is used to illustrate the breadth of topics that need to be mastered in the subject.
💡Inquiry-Based Learning
Inquiry-based learning is an educational approach that encourages students to pose questions, investigate, and actively engage with the material to construct their understanding. In the context of the video, the speaker advocates for this method as a way to better comprehend difficult physics concepts by asking questions like 'What is a reference frame?' and 'How does this relate to Newton's mechanics?'
💡Kolb's Experiential Cycle
Kolb's Experiential Cycle is a learning theory that suggests experience, reflection, conceptualization, and experimentation are key components in the learning process. The video script integrates this cycle to explain how students can improve their physics understanding by reflecting on practice questions, conceptualizing different approaches, and applying new insights through experimentation.
💡Mind Mapping
Mind mapping is a visual technique for organizing and representing information, used to enhance creativity, memory, and learning. In the video, the speaker recommends using mind mapping as a tool to connect inquiry-based learning questions and to visualize the relationships between different physics concepts, aiding in long-term memory retention.
💡Spaced Repetition
Spaced repetition is a learning technique that involves reviewing information at increasing intervals over time to enhance memory retention. The video emphasizes the importance of this technique for physics, suggesting that by regularly revisiting content, students can maintain a high level of preparedness for exams without last-minute cramming.
💡University Textbooks
University textbooks are resources that provide in-depth and comprehensive coverage of academic subjects, often at a higher level than school textbooks. In the video, the speaker recommends using university textbooks to gain a deeper understanding of physics concepts, such as quantum physics, electromagnetism, and relativity, which may not be thoroughly covered in school-level materials.
💡Past Exam Questions
Past exam questions are samples of previous tests that can be used for practice and to understand the format and types of questions that may be asked. The video script suggests that regularly attempting past exam questions throughout the learning process helps students to continually assess their understanding and preparation level, rather than relying on last-minute revision.
💡Written Questions
Written questions in the context of the video refer to the essay-style or explanatory questions that require students to not only know the physics concepts but also to articulate their understanding in writing. The speaker highlights the importance of being prepared for these types of questions in exams, as they test the student's ability to explain and apply physics concepts.
Highlights

Quantum physics, relativity, and electromagnetism are often considered difficult concepts in physics.

Physics does not have to be hard, and the speaker achieved a perfect score in the subject.

The channel focuses on intentional studying and learning to optimize time for important matters.

Many people assume physics is just applied math, but it involves more complex understanding.

There is a broader range of question types in physics exams than in math exams.

Study techniques are crucial for success in physics as there are fewer practice questions available.

Understanding the nitty-gritty of physics concepts is essential for applying them to various scenarios.

Written components are a significant part of physics, requiring explanation of concepts, not just calculations.

Inquiry-based learning involves asking questions and using curiosity to understand weaknesses.

Establishing relationships between concepts aids in memory retention and long-term understanding.

Mind mapping is a visual representation of how memory works and helps in understanding connections.

Notes serve as a reference for future forgetfulness, but not as a primary learning tool.

Kolb's experiential cycle is a method to apply experiences, reflect, and learn from practice questions.

Reflection on answers and confidence levels can lead to hyper correction and better retention.

Abstraction and experimentation in learning lead to new experiences and improvement.

Assignments should be backed by evidence and tailored to the marking criteria.

Contextualizing definitions within specific scenarios is crucial for physics assignments.

Using university textbooks can deepen understanding beyond standard school materials.

Regular practice with past exam questions helps maintain readiness and avoid cramming.

Space repetition is effective in remembering content from previous terms.

Focusing on study and learning techniques is more important than revision for long-term success.

Transcripts

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Physics StudyQuantum PhysicsElectromagnetismStudy TechniquesInquiry LearningMind MappingExam StrategyMedical StudentAcademic Success