If you are finding your CBI course more difficult than you anticipated, here are some suggestions.

First, you may find it useful to consider the advice from a student who in Spring 2000 substantially improved his grades by changing his study habits.

Second, look again at the section on studying in your handbook to consider if you may need to allow more time for studying this particular course in order to succeed. It really may take you 3-4 hours per credit each week.

There are some students who find it useful to look at a second textbook. In this case, I would recommend that you consider the textbook used for the lecture course. For CBI calculus-based physics courses (18xx, 233B, and 234B), the corresponding lecture course is PHY183 or 184 (no trailing letters); for PHY 231B, 232B, see 231 or 232 (no trailing letters). Examples of recently used textbooks are:

• Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick & Walker (calculus-based)
• College Physics by Serway and Faughn, or Physics: Algebra/Trig by Hecht (231B, 232B)

For students who would like to see more worked examples, first a word of advice, and then a suggestion. My advice: we will test your knowlege by expecting you to solve new problems, so your goal must be to generalize, not to memorize solutions of individual problems. My suggestion: look for books from the Schaum's Outline series, but be sure you get one at the appropriate level for your course.

You may also wish to consider tutoring. You can consult a list of physics tutors known to the department by going to Physics, Room 106. These tutors will charge you for their assistance; their rates are included on the list. You may also read about the Learning Resource Center, whose services include free tutoring. I don't have much experience with these tutors, so can't comment one way or another on their usefulness. I would be interested in you evaluation of their service. If you do email me with this information, be sure to include which course you are taking.

Professor Linnemann