Theoretical Physics - How hard is hard?

Hey all, I just have a question for anyone who has done/is doing Theoretical Physics.

I'm in Leaving Cert now, so I've time to decide on the course I wish to do. But for the last number of years I've been set on doing TP.

I'm a reasonably intelligent person, or so I'm told anyway. And I do pretty well in most subjects. But the one thing putting me off TP is how hard it seems.

I mean, I have a huge interest in particle physics, and I spend most of my spare time reading into it, or watcing lectures or videos about it. And all of my interest lies in the field of TP, the thoughts of doing the topics listed on the course get my heart racing. So it's the ideal choice for me.

BUT, one thing is putting me off. The maths. I'm good at maths, I'm doing honours, and I usually get high marks - around 80ish %. And I really enjoy maths. But from what people have said the maths in TP is exceptionally hard, harder than most other courses (bar pure maths of course).

So my question basically is: Is it a case of last years maths was easy; this years maths is hard; next years maths is impossible. I.e. Is it like a first year looking at Leaving Cert maths, and saying I'll never be able to do that, but eventually they will. Or is it genuinely very hard?

Just whatever thoughts you have on it, and any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Jonathan

Serious Deja Vú.


My first post on the TCD board was that exact question

Then I changed my mind and did Engineering.

Haha, thats funny alright! Did you change because you were put off it or just because you preferred engineering or what?

Jonathan

Here is the thread.


Eh... I was going to do TP because I enjoyed maths and physics in school..

I changed my mind to engineering because I just realised that I didnt want to be a physist. I wanted to design, fix, make and improve.

Timans

jmccrohan wrote: »

Here is the thread.


Eh... I was going to do TP because I enjoyed maths and physics in school..

I changed my mind to engineering because I just realised that I didnt want to be a physist. I wanted to design, fix, make and improve.

So, why'd you become an engineer?

Ding!

Jonathan

Timans wrote: »

So, why'd you become an engineer?

Ding!

To be honest I didnt know what engineering was all about

karlr42

Timans wrote: »

So, why'd you become an engineer?

Ding!

Burn
@ OP, If I were you I'd have a good read of that linked thread, it seems to be very relevant!

Thanks for the link jmccrohan, its exactly what I was looking for! A good bit of useful information there!

Boston

Are you seriously sitting there and saying your not going to do something you've had your heart set on for the last few years because you're afraid it might be too hard. Any other reasons I'd say fair enough, even something like "I want to do a course with loads of girls", but "too hard" is just weak.

I'm without a doubt being overly harsh but ffs man you clearly know what you want to do.

karlr42

the thoughts of doing the topics listed on the course get my heart racing.

Then do them. If you get the points, you're clearly intelligent enough, and going in with the kind of enthusiasm you show in that quote will do wonders. If it doesn't work out, you'll have lost nothing in trying, and will have definitely gained in the experience.

ShoulderChip

Just do it.

Feel the fear and do it anyway

Life is too important to take seriousely.

rjt

-JammyDodger- wrote: »

Hey all, I just have a question for anyone who has done/is doing Theoretical Physics.

I'm in Leaving Cert now, so I've time to decide on the course I wish to do. But for the last number of years I've been set on doing TP.

I'm a reasonably intelligent person, or so I'm told anyway. And I do pretty well in most subjects. But the one thing putting me off TP is how hard it seems.

I mean, I have a huge interest in particle physics, and I spend most of my spare time reading into it, or watcing lectures or videos about it. And all of my interest lies in the field of TP, the thoughts of doing the topics listed on the course get my heart racing. So it's the ideal choice for me.

BUT, one thing is putting me off. The maths. I'm good at maths, I'm doing honours, and I usually get high marks - around 80ish %. And I really enjoy maths. But from what people have said the maths in TP is exceptionally hard, harder than most other courses (bar pure maths of course).

So my question basically is: Is it a case of last years maths was easy; this years maths is hard; next years maths is impossible. I.e. Is it like a first year looking at Leaving Cert maths, and saying I'll never be able to do that, but eventually they will. Or is it genuinely very hard?

As Boston said, you clearly want to do Physics, and have an aptitude for it. This is by far the most important thing, but you sound like you want reassurance as to the maths part, so here goes.

You summed it up pretty well with the "last years maths was easy; this years maths is hard; next years maths is impossible" quote. This is it exactly. The maths you'll do next year will seem impossible if you look at it now. When I was in your shoes I had a look at the first year end-of-year exams, and understood none of it. But once you've done the course (and can understand the questions, which is half the battle), it's far from impossible. As long as you approach things the right way, you will be able to do it, if you put in the effort. And by the sounds of things you certainly have the interest to be able to put in the effort. This is IMHO by far the most important thing.

To be honest, I wouldn't put too much stock in LC maths results. Obviously, if you're failing then maybe maths isn't your thing, but the difference between 80% and 100% in LC maths doesn't reflect as you might expect it to. One of the brightest guys in my year got a B3 in LC maths. He's now consistently out-scoring those that got A1s. He actually *enjoys* maths, and that goes a long way. A lot of people do well at LC maths - they find the process of learning a method and applying it repeatedly easy. But the key at college level is to *understand* the method. And often the biggest hurdle here is wanting to do this (and if you enjoy mathematical discovery, then you will).

Even from your brief post, you seem as suited (or more so!) to it than most people I know currently doing TP and Maths. If you do the work, you'll get through it. And if you enjoy it, it won't seem like work (dare I say it might even be fun).

antiselfdual

-JammyDodger- wrote: »

I mean, I have a huge interest in particle physics, and I spend most of my spare time reading into it, or watcing lectures or videos about it.

Really? Wow. That's amazing. You really need to do TP. And buy this t-shirt. And these soft toys.

More seriously, you'll be fine with the maths if you go to lectures and keep up and work hard and stuff. You said you really enjoy maths too, so that's really good. It's not like everyone comes in with an A1 in Maths. If you're motivated (which you are) you'll do fine. Nobody finds it easy anyway so everyone in the class will feel the same way really. (Also the maths is great, and will be important and useful for doing particle physics... )

karlr42

rjt wrote: »

As Boston said, you clearly want to do Physics..

Excellent post, and to the OP, it's excellent advice and counsel, I suggest you listen to it.

Podge_irl

-JammyDodger- wrote: »

BUT, one thing is putting me off. The maths. I'm good at maths, I'm doing honours, and I usually get high marks - around 80ish %. And I really enjoy maths. But from what people have said the maths in TP is exceptionally hard, harder than most other courses (bar pure maths of course).

Some would say that the maths in TP is harder then much of the maths covered in the pure maths course (me for example, but I'm biased ever so slightly!).

So my question basically is: Is it a case of last years maths was easy; this years maths is hard; next years maths is impossible. I.e. Is it like a first year looking at Leaving Cert maths, and saying I'll never be able to do that, but eventually they will. Or is it genuinely very hard?

It is genuinely hard and you will probably eventually be able to do it depending on the amount of work you are willing to put in. The "last years maths..." adage is very appropriate and there will be many a time when you have no idea what is going on in first year, but with work its certainly do-able and ultimately very rewarding. The ability to transfer to Physics is always there which is a less mathsy course (though of less interest if particle physics is your thing).

Its a tough course, but everyone will find it tough - I didn't have a clue what was going on half the time in first year. Not trying it in case you will find it too difficult would be foolish.

pisslips

This was all I wanted to do for two years in secondary school, then I realised I could do a very similar course in Maynooth over 3 years, so Maybe you should check out some other options/colleges/slightly different courses. Look at Mathematical science courses in all the universities, you might find one more suited, although for particle physics maybe Trinity is the place, I hated it, crazy people coming up with stupid names for things and relating them to each other.

Your lucky that at least you know the general area that you're interested in.

Fad

antiselfdual wrote: »

Really? Wow. That's amazing. You really need to do TP. And buy these soft toys.

Never mind the fact that i don't have the ability/desire to do TP but i want them so much its insane, and they're so expensive :S

munchhausen

If you are interested in the Trinity TP course you should consider going to the open day on the 8th of November, which is organised jointly by the TCD Schools of Physics and Mathematics. There will be 15-20 minutes talks about various areas in physics and mathematics, and there will be lecturers and current students you can talk to. More details can be found here:
http://www.maths.tcd.ie/Info_for_Schools/openday2008/

PurpleFistMixer

Fad wrote: »

Never mind the fact that i don't have the ability/desire to do TP but i want them so much its insane, and they're so expensive :S

Aww, wavicle. The gluon is so cute. 9 dollars though? Not that expensive...

Fad

PurpleFistMixer wrote: »

Aww, wavicle. The gluon is so cute. 9 dollars though? Not that expensive...

I want dark matter, and the Photon looks kind of demented :P

What Id love is the full set which comes in at a cool 300 and something dollars + $60 shipping.

Podge_irl

pisslips wrote: »

This was all I wanted to do for two years in secondary school, then I realised I could do a very similar course in Maynooth over 3 years, so Maybe you should check out some other options/colleges/slightly different courses.

The course in Maynooth would not cover everything covered in the Trinity course even if it was 4 years, but at 3 years its anaemic in comparison. It depends on what you are interested in, but having done TP in TCD and looking at the other courses, if you are interested in theoretical particle physics then Trinity is really the best option. Its harder, but its a difficult course by its nature and if they went any slower then they simply would not cover the requisite material. Trinity is not perfect or anything and some of the subjects might be covered better in other colleges but on a whole I think Trinity is the best option - take that as you while.

Yah I guess you're right, not doing something because you're afraid it's too hard is a pathetic excuse, if every human had that attitude we'd still be living in caves!

@ rjt, thanks a million for that post, it was really what I needed to hear and thanks for taking the time to write it! It's far more beneficial than anything any guidance councillor has told me, so thanks again!

@ antiselfdual, haha, that t-shirt is brilliant! Funnily enough I saw a guy walking down a street in Galway wearing it!

@ Podge_irl, thanks for your advice, its very much appreciated! And yah I think Trinity is the best option too, I just don't see how they could possibly cover all the material needed in 3 years in Maynooth.


I've decided that I'm going to give it a go anyway, and thanks to everyone who posted back! Now I just have another question... Jobs. Apart from research in a University, or lecturing etc. I don't really know what jobs would come out of doing theoretical physics. If i'll goes well, i'd really wish to go on to PhD level: If i can do the course that is. But just about the jobs, what would it enable you to do? Would anyone who has done/is doing theoretical physics please tell me what areas one could get into?

Thanks again for you posts, and thanks for any future posts.

billykwok

-JammyDodger- wrote: »

Yah I guess you're right, not doing something because you're afraid it's too hard is a pathetic excuse, if every human had that attitude we'd still be living in caves!

@ rjt, thanks a million for that post, it was really what I needed to hear and thanks for taking the time to write it! It's far more beneficial than anything any guidance councillor has told me, so thanks again!

@ antiselfdual, haha, that t-shirt is brilliant! Funnily enough I saw a guy walking down a street in Galway wearing it!

@ Podge_irl, thanks for your advice, its very much appreciated! And yah I think Trinity is the best option too, I just don't see how they could possibly cover all the material needed in 3 years in Maynooth.


I've decided that I'm going to give it a go anyway, and thanks to everyone who posted back! Now I just have another question... Jobs. Apart from research in a University, or lecturing etc. I don't really know what jobs would come out of doing theoretical physics. If i'll goes well, i'd really wish to go on to PhD level: If i can do the course that is. But just about the jobs, what would it enable you to do? Would anyone who has done/is doing theoretical physics please tell me what areas one could get into?

Thanks again for you posts, and thanks for any future posts.

I don't know much about your field of interest but here is my opnion:
There isn't a very wide variety of jobs regarding your degree to be honest, but you could always treat it as a general university degree and go into the financial sector; (and a general degree from tcd would not be bad, obviously not oxford or cambridge standard but still not a bad standard); or just convert into other degrees like law or accounting once u graduate!

JackKelly

-JammyDodger- wrote: »

Hey all, I just have a question for anyone who has done/is doing Theoretical Physics.

I'm in Leaving Cert now, so I've time to decide on the course I wish to do. But for the last number of years I've been set on doing TP.

I'm a reasonably intelligent person, or so I'm told anyway. And I do pretty well in most subjects. But the one thing putting me off TP is how hard it seems.

I mean, I have a huge interest in particle physics, and I spend most of my spare time reading into it, or watcing lectures or videos about it. And all of my interest lies in the field of TP, the thoughts of doing the topics listed on the course get my heart racing. So it's the ideal choice for me.

BUT, one thing is putting me off. The maths. I'm good at maths, I'm doing honours, and I usually get high marks - around 80ish %. And I really enjoy maths. But from what people have said the maths in TP is exceptionally hard, harder than most other courses (bar pure maths of course).

So my question basically is: Is it a case of last years maths was easy; this years maths is hard; next years maths is impossible. I.e. Is it like a first year looking at Leaving Cert maths, and saying I'll never be able to do that, but eventually they will. Or is it genuinely very hard?

Just whatever thoughts you have on it, and any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

You need to be naturally good at Maths. The Maths you do in College is nothing like the Maths done at Leaving Cert. This means the first few months consist of you sitting glazey eyed at the lecturer wondering what the hell you've gotten yourself into! It gets easier as time goes on like everything though. It's also very rewarding. It's a bit like being able to construct English sentences compared to being able to write great literature; a lot of people can write perfect sentences, but not as many people can write decent literature.

Not to put you off. You should definitely give it a go. I did, and to be honest, it didn't work out for me. That said, a lot of the others in the class were in a similar position to me and they are now going into 4th year so try it out. You can switch around courses as long as you have the points (I did it twice, only settling into my course at the end of January)

Morbert

Podge_irl wrote: »

The course in Maynooth would not cover everything covered in the Trinity course even if it was 4 years, but at 3 years its anaemic in comparison. It depends on what you are interested in, but having done TP in TCD and looking at the other courses, if you are interested in theoretical particle physics then Trinity is really the best option. Its harder, but its a difficult course by its nature and if they went any slower then they simply would not cover the requisite material. Trinity is not perfect or anything and some of the subjects might be covered better in other colleges but on a whole I think Trinity is the best option - take that as you while.

I don't think that's entirely fair or accurate. Maynooth's TP course can be undertaken in either 3 or 4 years, and certainly isn't anaemic, as many people in my year have went on to do Masters in colleges ranging from Oxford to Imperial. The primary difference is the 3 year course assumes you have more mathematical maturity and are comfortable with reading abstract statements (1st year is essentially skipped).

To the OP: If you are thinking of a career in theoretical particle physics, then Trinity offers to most relevant set of modules (Although I can only offer comparisons Between Maynooth and Trinity, as they are the only colleges I have experience with). Maynooth's TP is geared towards solid state physics and non-relativistic quantum mechanics (There are three modules in QM and three modules in statistical physics in final year!!). Their department lacks courses in general relativity and quantum field theory, and the latter is very important in particle physics. With that said, if you do Maynooth's three year course, it leads rather gracefully into the department's 1 year MSc, which allows its students to take those relativity/field theory modules in Trinity, as the Maynooth mathematical physics department has close ties with Trinity. The downside is Maynooths TP is probably the most intensive in the country, and you have to pay MSc fees of about 5 grand in the final year if you choose that route.

But to be honest, what you should really do is forget TP and go into Experimental Physics!! They're so much cooler! And we get to break expensive equipment!! The only other option is to become a half-breed like me and do a joint honours in Experimental and Mathematical Physics. But only do this if you don't like having friends.

Iodine87

Ok so I'm assuming at this point you've already applied for the course and (hopefully) got in. I'm going into fourth year TP at the moment so here are some of the things I have noticed about the course.

The thing with TP is that you get a mix of people in first year;

You'll get the cocky people who got a1's in their leaving cert and think they are the best thing since sliced bread. They chose TP because someone told them once that it could possibly be the hardest course they could do and they felt they would breeze through it no bother. They'll probably end up going to less than half their lectures in the first term and do maybe 1lab report and not bother with the rest, realise in term 2 that they have no idea what is going on but are too afraid at this point to go to class so act like everything is fine, then either not show up in third term and drop out, or panic totally and try to cram like they did in the leaving. This wont work and they will end up having about 5/6 repeats in September. Most of those that stick it out will end up changing to maths to avoid lab report deadlines.

You'll get the REALLY REALLY smart kids (a1's aswell of course) that just get everything that is going on and make everyone else feel so stupid when they talk about class work (which is all they will talk about with you). They chose TP because they were also told that it would be super hard but as well as that they were told since they are really smart they should do a smart person course, hence Physics. Most will want to go into postgrad work and become lecturers. The thing you have to remember with the smart kids is that they don't do it to annoy you (mostly) its usually just what they are like.

You'll get the people who put down TP on their list because they didn't think they would get it and don't really know what they want to do. Some of these people will end up falling in love with the course and will be so delighted about the way things worked out for them. Most though will not and will end up changing in the first term to engineering or something. Its not that they are not "smart" enough for the course, its just that they really don't want to know all the random maths that they force on you that doesn't seem relivent to physics. Its just not what they are interested in.

You'll get the people who never thought in a million years they would get into TP and are just hopping that the CAO wont realise their mistake and take it away from them. These people usually tend to work (relatively) hard in class (unless they fall in with the first crowd I mentioned) but they still feel outshone by the REALLY smart kids. This sometimes makes they feel disheartened and really it shouldn't. Don't think about how other people are doing, you're work will prove itself. In this group are people who actually researched the course and have an interest in Physics. I'm not saying the other ones don't but this one is people who actually didn't look at the hype about it being the "hardest course" blah blah but actually wanted to learn about the things that are taught. LC Maths results in this group varies, and rightly so. It really does not matter what you got in the LC its how much you work once you get here that matters.

Obviously these are gross generalisations but I think you'll probably be able to spot what type of people are in your class from my little guide. Clearly there will be people who don't fit and those that fit more than one. Just try to be aware of the fact that just because people say they are doing no work and everything is fine does NOT make it true. Don't just do nothing because your friends are not. You really do seem like you are interested in Physics for the sake of Physics so I'm glad we have at least one first year who does.

On your point about Maths in TP. In first year you do alot of the same courses as the Maths students. Things have changed since my first year and you will actually be doing less than we did (this point is open for correction). Yes it is considered hard, this is mainly due to the fact that you have to change the way you think about maths. It is more about understanding about what is going on rather than just learning how to do it. It was very daunting in first year for me before I realised this. I was all about trying to figure out what kind of questions I could be asked on the stuff, like in the leaving cert. This is the major jump from 2nd level to 3rd level; (in any subject) you are not taking a class so you can get points, you are taking it so that you will know what is being taught. Noone is there to check if you actually do know the stuff, its up to you. If, in first year, you make to effort to get the basics it will help you so much afterwards. It does get harder as you go on, but that is the same of any course you could pick. Third year is based alot on what you've already learnt from 1st and 2nd year so don't throw away notes you think will be useful. I know one guy in my class who has every lecture given in folders in his room. I know he sounds like a giant swat but actually I think he went to maybe 70% of those (he's not a morning person). Anyway my point is he uses them to recap on certain things. Just because you've done the test does NOT mean you should just forget it existed it will be useful information later.

You really should not be worried about it being too hard, just as long as you do some work it should be alright. I'm not at all saying don't have fun but do remember that you'll have a larger work load than your friends in other courses and you're going to be called a nerd no matter what, so you might as well not go out to the pub one night to catch up on some work when you need it. I know I have rambled on a bit in this thread and I think I will leave it there now. If you have any more questions you should check out either the physoc or the mathsoc stands in freshers week, I am sure a TP will be around either to give a bit of guidance.

Oh one last thing... I didn't have a clue what most of the stuff was when I checked out my lecture timetable. Don't worry about that at all.


*** Just a disclaimer... I did mention I was 4th year TP so I hope there will be understanding when it comes to my grammer and spelling being suitably awful ***

EyesLeft

Morbert wrote: »

With that said, if you do Maynooth's three year course, it leads rather gracefully into the department's 1 year MSc, which allows its students to take those relativity/field theory modules in Trinity.

It may be unwise to rely on this still being true in three years time.

Peleus

-JammyDodger- wrote: »

the thoughts of doing the topics listed on the course get my heart racing.

Is it just me or does thing sentence sound kinda dirty?

hey JammyDodger, If you think you'll like TP then stick it on your CAO in February. If you like maths then you'll be well able for it. I've a friend doing TP in UCD, he did quite well in the Leaving, got A1 in Maths, and said the maths in TP is really interesting. Maybe consider maths or Engineering aswell. You should realise what you really want to do as the year goes on.

@Iodine87

Thanks to everyone for their replies, I'm finding them all very helpful!

@Iodine87, thanks for that comment! I kind of guessed that a lot of the people doing the course would be doing it because of its percieved difficulty, and from what I know of many people doing the course, they're arrogant about doing it exactly for that reason.

I've decided anyway that I'm going to do it so I guess I'll hopefully be seeing many of the people who replied to this next year!

Thanks again to everyone for all of their comments.

karlr42

Glad to hear you made a decision, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time on the course

Decerto

I just got my TP timetable and was delighted with the lack of lectures before i realised it was only the maths section:(, but yea physics, maths and applied maths are the only subjects i ever enjoyed and i put down TP because the subjects looked really interesting like relavity which after loads of youtube videos of it i still cant get my head fully around it:) + if the world does end in one of the many ways predicted in 2012 when i graduate, who are they gonna pick for the underground bunkers and to help reproduce the race? The theoretical physicists of course

I would have said the geneticists tbh. For anyone viewing this section, please note that there was a toss-up between saying 'yeah but physicists don't have sex' and the above. I went for the more smart-alec-y reply in the hope that someone will come along and slag off the TPs. 'Cos, well, someone has to do it.

PurpleFistMixer

Decerto wrote: »

I just got my TP timetable and was delighted with the lack of lectures before i realised it was only the maths section:(

It is a bit weird the way they did that... though I'd seen that timetable already on the maths department site so I knew what was going on, I'd have liked to get the entire timetable... Spose we'll find out on Monday.

But Myth, everyone knows physicists are the most attractive of all scientists. We get lab coats, but we don't necessarily smell of weird things. AND we have death rays.

antiselfdual

I noticed the first year TPs have already mastered the art of hanging around aimlessly outside the Salmon today, that amused me... welcome to your next four years...

Physicists do indeed look great.

PurpleFistMixer

antiselfdual wrote: »

I noticed the first year TPs have already mastered the art of hanging around aimlessly outside the Salmon today, that amused me... welcome to your next four years...

Yeah we is cool. Or we were being typical newblets and having no idea where we were meant to be going or what we were meant to be doing.

Myth: I hope whoever is teaching us LaTeX wears that on the first day. Or every day. You know you can take a person seriously when they're smoother than an eel.

Podge_irl

Morbert wrote: »

I don't think that's entirely fair or accurate. Maynooth's TP course can be undertaken in either 3 or 4 years, and certainly isn't anaemic, as many people in my year have went on to do Masters in colleges ranging from Oxford to Imperial. The primary difference is the 3 year course assumes you have more mathematical maturity and are comfortable with reading abstract statements (1st year is essentially skipped).

Yeah, you're right I was being overly harsh. I didn't really know enough about the 3 year course so I should probably have just shut up about it! I was just surprised that a 3 year course was an option (which introduces a good life lesson for TP students - do appropriate research before coming to a conclusion). I will say that the Maynooth MSc students seemed to struggle more in our QFT and GR classes, but that may have been anomalous to my year.

Morbert

Podge_irl wrote: »

I will say that the Maynooth MSc students seemed to struggle more in our QFT and GR classes, but that may have been anomalous to my year.

Yar, I have to say that Trinity's modules are much more carefully structured than Maynooth's; if you pick the wrong modules in Maynooth, it is possible to be thrown into the GR classes without a smidgen of experience with Electrodynamics and Tensors, for example. Trinity (from what I've seen so far) does a very good job of relating theoretical physics topics to the relevant fields in mathematics. (Although the 3 year course in Maynooth forces you to take the relevant maths modules, so I would guess that it's primarily a problem for the 4 year degree students like me .)

Gallardo

Hey I'm a SF TP student. I had alot of trouble with linear algebra and mechanics in first year and this year I'm having more trouble with mechanics and geometry(pretty much advanced linear algebra). I cant remember anything from first year or understand the first year material. Is this a bad sign for this year or did other people struggle alot in first year and second year but make it through? Should I just forget about the problems these subjects caused in first year and concentrate on the ones I have now? Any help is much appreciated thanks.

Podge_irl

Gallardo wrote: »

Should I just forget about the problems these subjects caused in first year and concentrate on the ones I have now?.

No, they are unfortuantely inextricably linked. An understanding of the first year material will aid you greatly in getting to grips with the second year stuff. You don't need to know it inside out, but if you are completely confused by it then that could be a problem as everything you do from here on in is built upon things you're learning in first and second year to varying degrees.

Previous year's material can often make more sense the following year when you aren't so worried about exams, when you have the entire collection of notes rather then taking them down as you go along and when you start using some of the more abstract material for practical pruposes. I would advise spending the next few weeks going back over the previous years material and trying to make as much sense of it as possible. Remember that you can still ask your lecturers from last year questions if needs be.