I am not a physics major. I am not a physics major. And last, but not least, I am not a physics major. So, what the heck was I thinking when I signed up for the Physics 1111/1121 class sequence. Oh yeah: "I like math. I like physics. Perfect!"
No. That was not perfect. The thing about the Physics 1111/1121 track at WPI is that these two courses are accelerated courses, intended for physics majors (which I later found out). I'm going into a field involving some physics (biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering, concentrating in biomechanics), so either way I had to take a physics class. Two physics classes, actually. So when I was doing online course registration, and heard about the advanced physics classes, I decided to get them out of the way. Of course, this was after getting waitlisted from some classes and feared the possibility of staying on the waitlist. Thus, physics it was. Physics was a good option.
I fortunately don't regret taking the classes in the first place. As I finish up with Physics 1121: Electricity and Magnetism, I realize I did enjoy the experience in the end. I got to learn a little bit more about how I learn, and how to manage all of my new-found free time.
Unfortunately, I have to learn all of these during my adjustment period into my freshmen year of college. One horrendous test in Physics 1111 (Mechanics) later, and I found myself frustrated. It wasn't that I didn't knew the material; it was more I needed to stop winging the first test of every class like I did in high school and actually prepare for the test like a college student.
I really do have to give credit to the teachers of the class. If it weren't for the academic rigor of them, I wouldn't have been able to adapt quickly. I wouldn't have been able to get my study habits straight and be set up for success in future courses. The point of college is to not be easy, but rather to challenge the individual mind.
The Physics 1111/1121 courses were more work than what I had initially anticipated, but I'm glad I took those courses. If you want to get something out of a class, I highly recommend these ones.
