Terrified for Physics A-level

I feel a constant anxiety every day knowing the physics exam is in < 45 days. I go to a top sixth form but everyone is miles ahead of me even my teacher started pulling me aside asking if i had special needs (nothing wrong with that, its just that he made me feel less competent than I thought, especially since im one of the only girls in the class). Most ppl who do physics also do further maths so everyones getting A*'s and im barely managing a B. I feel like no matter how hard I try at physics I cannot get the marks, even when I cheat for assessments (ik). I came to this schl thinking i was going to excel, but it feels like there's too little time to get a decent grade in physics. I'll understand the content but wont be able to do a single question on it. Even definition questions. My grades are literally like a*ac all the time because i just cant access physics. Idk this is way too stressful, even when i revise physics it doesnt feel like revision.

Reply 1

Biscoffeater

Hey! I was in a similar position of being 1 of 4 girls in my physics class in a very high performing 6th form, and I underperformed in my exam compared to my predicted grade after I flopped on paper 3 (2019 AQA spec). In truth, everything was fine and I now have a 1st class masters in theoretical physics. Your A-Levels are not the be all and end all. I cannot stress that part enough. Right now they will feel like the most important thing you’ll ever do, but give it a year and they’ll feel far less important. You will be ok.

I found the best way to revise was past papers. There are always tricky questions, but for a lot of things they ask you the same stuff in the same way each time. So, practice with past papers. Answer them as well as you can closed book, then use your class notes or a text book to improve, and then look at the mark scheme. Take your time reading the questions and pick out exactly what you’re being asked to do. Past papers might not be best for you, but I found it really useful when stuff comes up so similarly.

In short, try to limit your stress. A-Levels serve to get you to the next stage of your life. Having a B or a C in physics won’t stop you going to uni, doing an apprenticeship, getting a job, whatever your plan is. You might end up taking a different route, I did after uni when I didn’t get a place on the training scheme I so desperately wanted, but it all worked out. It’s so easy to be anxious about planning the outcome of everything, but do your best and ride the wave. You will absolutely be ok, and a physics A-Level will not be your undoing. You’ve got this :smile:

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 2

MonotheisticMort

Hi there. I can relate a lot to your worries - we might even be from the same school?

I'm thinking can discuss this in PMs as I wouldn't wish to leak any school specific information if that's the case, and also others from school are aware of my TSR profile. Hope that isn't too out of the blue or anything.

Reply 3

shelleydrowning

Original post by MonotheisticMort

Hi there. I can relate a lot to your worries - we might even be from the same school?
I'm thinking can discuss this in PMs as I wouldn't wish to leak any school specific information if that's the case, and also others from school are aware of my TSR profile. Hope that isn't too out of the blue or anything.

yeah sure haha

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