So, you are new to the School of Physics, USM? Talk given to the freshies during Hari Kelestarian, PP Sains Fizik 11 June 10, Sun. Yoon Tiem Leong

2 Some questions you may want to ask What is the prospect of graduating with a physics major/ What kind of job can I do after graduated as a physics major/ What options do I have after graduating as a physics major? What kind of quality of a person is required to excel in physics study? / Do I need to be super smart to be a physics major? What are the essential difference between applied physics and pure physics?

3 Is it difficult to score in physics exams? / What is the statistics of academic performance in the school of Physics? Should I take minor or elective? How to excel in studying physics? What should I do if my math / physics is weak? / How to study math / physics? Some questions you may want to ask

4 What is physics? What is it good for? How many kinds of physics are there? Can I be a physicist? (Are your sure you want to be one?) How, and what quality is required to be one? Some questions you may want to ask

5 What are the physics students’ problems in USM? (This is your problems) What are the problems with physics teaching in USM? (This is my problems) What you should do as a physics student in USM? What you should avoid doing? Some MORE questions you may want to ask

6 My problems Students refuses / don’t want /dare not want to ask questions. Students NOT even know what question to ask (Because they don’t even know what they don’t know). Students try to shunt/don’t’ want to communicate with me (too shy?...not a good excuse).

7 My problems Students’ mathematics ability is too weak to meet with the demands at the undergraduate level physics courses. Students’ ability to comprehend abstract concepts or logically challenging arguments is poor. Students’ ability to think logically is weak. Samples of exam analysis: ZCT 207, 10/11, ZCT 104, 2004/05, ZCA 101, 2003/04, ZCA /06ZCT 207, 10/11ZCT 104, 2004/05ZCA 101, 2003/04ZCA /06

8 Your problems Fail to adapt to University teaching / learning style. Don’t know the correct way to study due to the old habits carried over from secondary school  Stress  Lost interest in the learning process  Lost in confidence  Failure in exams. Can’t appreciate the significance of physics/math you are being taught. (Why am I learning all this stuff for?) Laziness / Idleness.

9 Your problems The presence of certain lecturers who simply don’t know their stuff well / are irresponsible / lazy /buzy. Standard of teaching is compromised due to a non-negligible presence of unmotivated / weak students. The quality of some undergraduate physics content taught / learned is poor / insufficient.

10 Your problems Play / lepak / idle too much. Play too much online game / watch too much online movie / spend too much time online chatting (~ 5 hours on average per day?) P’hak t’hor too much until study is seriously compromised. Associate with the wrong people / friends. Lost balance between study and society activities.

11 Your problems Have no gut to challenge the status quo. Have no gut to challenge the authorities despite being bullied unjustly. Do not know the proper ways to deal with authorities.

And the most serious, non-academic problem is… Lack of soft skills necessary for survival in the real life.

13 The do’s Learn to think logically / like a physicist. Learn the methodology of doing physics / the content of the physics knowledge. Learn to adapt to University teaching style. Learn how to learn  Learn to teach what you have learnt. Nurture a passion/appreciation for knowledge and intellect (as opposed to rote learning / learn only for exam purpose).

14 The do’s Talk to your lecturers. Ask them directly. any questions related to your academics. Know your lecturers, and their styles. Master the techniques of scoring exams. Learn up essential IT skills  Buy a laptop.

15 The do’s Plan your credit units for the next three years. Learn to organize your time. Learn to handle problems like a mature adult. Learn to interact with / handle people.

16 The do’s Learn to be creative and to think out of the box. Participate in and be active in your preferred society activities. Sharpen your English skill. Exercise daily.

17 The do’s Strike for a balance between academic and non-academic aspects. Tour around Penang and enjoy its famous street food. Throw away the habit of giving up when faced with challenges. Find your true love (or even replace with a better one, … or two).

18 The don’ts Be lazy / Lepak. Rely only on lecture notes but not on text books. Copy lab reports. Practice rote learning. Stonewall yourself in hostel rooms. Trust you seniors too much.

Most importantly… ABANDON YOUR SPOON- FEEDING HABIT