Physics And Math

[Rainbow_Habitué]

A lot of my experiences are centred around arithmetic, so it brings up a lot of feelings when I try to remember multiplication tables or do long division, or even add sometimes. I just freeze and a million different thoughts and feeling seem to zip through (including the knowledge that I'm blowing it again).

This last winter I was taking some catch-up courses at the adult collegiate to get my pre-calc and my physics, and I did really well; it was a hyper-supportive environment full of people who largely had troubles in school too.

Now I'm aiming at the distant end goal of a physics Phd, so I can be a professor one day, but I'm afraid that the classes I'm taking at university will be under high-pressure to make arithmetical calculations really quick.

I'm sure I can do the math when I work hard, but I'm not the speediest on the calculator and the more pressure I'm under, the more I feel the panic and anger.

Any ideas, suggestions on how I can get through this? Somebody who has done university math and physics? I'm also doing chem this year.

 

[p-no]

I just freeze and a million different thoughts and feeling seem to zip through (including the knowledge that I'm blowing it again).

Hi Rainbow,

Struck me to read this (see quote), because that happens to me as well. My theory is that maths, physics, in my case astronomy, has a lot of order to it. It's all very clearly structured, all those disciplines work a certain routine and order. That kind of thinking, processing in the brain - it is true for me personally - seems to de-block me and all different kinds of thoughts, feelings, perceptions etc. come up and just flow.

Usually, I am a very controlled person, meaning that I have to put a lot of energy into making certain things not appear on scene, for example when at work, because then I need to work and am not able to deal with e.g. memories coming up. So, when I am at home reading about star formation, for example, I enjoy that a lot and, at first, it clears my mind completely. It's like there is that big, white and empty room with no living creature there and beautiful sunshine coming in through the windows. Then though, there seems to be room and I seem to be very relaxed and it is then that things seem to be able to flow and just come up and muddle together.

It seems to me that these kinds of thinking are so much in order, so structured and clear that I can finally come to relax and that it is then and therefore that I bring down the walls that I had formerly built up to be able to live my every-day life. Gee, this is difficult to explain; I hope it makes some sense.

What to do about this, I don't really know. But what I would do if I were you is ask people who have already taken the courses you are worrying about now and verify if what you suppose they will be like have been like to others. Maybe you will find out that you're worrying about things that won't even happen.

I work in physics (as admin staff), so I can only offer to ask my theoretical physicists colleagues, if you like. All theoretical physicists (this includes astronomers) I know have trouble working under pressure. It is a very good environment for people with ptsd. They understand. I feel very much at home here; my mind works a lot like theirs. :)

Take care.

prime

 

[kal]

I am currently studying physics and math and what helps me is that I get extra time on all my tests. When taking a test, I use ear plugs to drown out all noise, and focus solely on the exam.

Prepare well for each test, because aren't they always easy when you're prepared? Getting diagnosed for ADHD or other learning disabilities will give you extra time which helps a lot! Having PTSD automatically means that you have some trouble focusing so that should not be a problem.

 

[Hashi]

I have done a Maths degree at university.

But my thoughts aren't really about maths at all. They're about giving yourself some time and understanding, with the hope that feeling calmer will follow.

I think prime-no and kal have given very good advice. So first I want to agree with what's been said. Then I want to add:

Do you have a reason for thinking that you'll be under high pressure to make arithmetical calculations really quickly? I never was. i don't know about where you are- and I'm in a different country I think, so it may be different for you - but for me university Maths wasn't about having to do calculations on the spot, it was about all sorts of theories and ideas about the structure, workings and uses of Maths. Any calculations were either demonstrated by the tutor or done outside class in my own time. I used a calculator a lot, but not under pressure.

i think the advice about asking for allowances for your particular situation is excellent. I'd also suggest that you make allowances yourself. Firstly, that you don't have to be some sort of supergeek who answers every question within 0.1 seconds. Secondly, that you're allowed to centre yourself and breathe,and take as much time as you need, before you work something out on a calculator or in any other way. Thirdly, that if this feels right for you then this is right for you, and that doesn't have to mean you're the same as other people or that you're how you feel someone "should" be.