Thoughts on the final
I posted this last year, and it still stands. Here are some of my random thoughts on the final. It goes to 11.
(1) Relax. There is no reason to be more freaked out about this exam than any other, percentages and so forth notwithstanding. You should be less scared: broadening the scope of the material necessarily means that the difficulty level for any given problem goes down.
(2) There is only one way to study for this thing: read and solve problems. You will be given all of the required formulas, memorizing them will not help, nor will memorizing tricks or shortcuts. All problems will involve the systematic application of simple principles and simple relationships, there are no tricks. Rote memorization / cramming is not useful, but solving practice problems is.
(3) Cut your losses on the one chapter you really don't think you can master in the time remaining. You'll have a choice in problems, so you can avoid certain topics if you know the rest very well.
(4) Look at the previous final exams (spring/fall semesters mainly). They mostly don't have posted solutions, but I can tell you the answers at least.
(5) Few problems I have asked you before will appear on the final. Most likely no problems directly from the notes will appear on the final. However, about half of the problems will seem eerily familiar.
(6) Relax. You will need to have your wits about you, the problems on the final will involve logically solving problems step-by-step using simple rules. They will not involve remembering an arcane phrase or formula buried in the text, nor will they have many convoluted twists and turns. Most of them involve only 1 or 2 steps.
(7) Run the numbers on your grade. The final is worth 25% of the total grade ... it can only change your overall grade by so much. Not as much as you think. I will scale the average on the final if necessary, such that it is at least 75% for the class. It is unlikely to be necessary.
(8) I like crystals and mass spectrometers and circuits. Capacitors have been done to death though.
(9) Study the homework solutions I have online.
(10) Seriously, relax. Get some rest the night before, you'll be better off well-rested.
(11) Answers/solutions to your outstanding homework/quizzes will posted soon, and will be good to study from.
2 comments:
is there a way we can have a practice test or study guide to help us get ready for the final?
Yes. Two things are going to happen (soon):
1) The last homework will come out tonight or tomorrow, to be turned in with your final exam. It will be review questions, and I'll give you plenty of hints before the final (or let you know if you've got it right).
2) I'll post some example problems (some from the notes/text, some new ones) that will at least resemble the final exam. This will probably happen tomorrow evening, but I'll try for sooner. Those problems will be a collection of book + notes + previous problems that are similar to ones I might ask on the final exam.
Additionally, I've just posted the summer 08 and 09 finals (without answers) so you can have a fair example test. Look here.
Your final won't be the same, but pretty close in difficulty. I'll provide answers to those before the final comes.
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