Award-Winning College Physics Tutors serving Columbia, SC

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Award-Winning College Physics Tutors serving Columbia, SC

Kate

Certified Tutor

Kate

Masters, Environmental Engineering
Kate's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus

I'm available to tutor biology, chemistry, physics, math from Algebra up through AP Calculus, SAT test prep, and French. I've been tutoring students in science and math for 7 years. I also spent 8 months working and studying in France, and have tutored high school and adult students in French. When ...

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Masters, Environmental Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelors

Test Scores
SAT
1580
Jeffrey

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Jeffrey

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering
Jeffrey's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Calculus
Geometry
Calculus
Algebra

I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and com...

Education

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor of Science

Rice University

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
ACT
34
Samuel

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Samuel

Bachelor of Science, Applied Mathematics
Samuel's other Tutor Subjects
7th Grade Algebra
AP Calculus AB
Trigonometry
Pre-Calculus

I am a freshman at Caltech majoring in Applied and Computational Mathematics. My favorite subject to tutor is math because I find it very rewarding to simplify complex topics to aid in understanding. I have lots of tutoring experience. In high school, I ran and taught an SAT prep class and was vice ...

Education

California Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Science, Applied Mathematics

Test Scores
SAT
1550
Charles

Certified Tutor

Charles

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Charles's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Trigonometry

I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best descr...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1440
ACT
34
Rahul

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Rahul

B.S. in Chemical Engineering
Rahul's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Multivariable Calculus
Pre-Calculus
Geometry

I am a recent graduate of Cornell University, where I received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Over the past several years, I have worked with students from diverse backgrounds and experiences tutoring thermodynamics (my personal favorite), chemistry, and math. I have a...

Education

Cornell University

B.S. in Chemical Engineering

Test Scores
Perfect Score
ACT
36
Justin

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Justin

Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics
Justin's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Multivariable Calculus

I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Com...

Education

Washington University in St. Louis

Bachelor's in Physics and Mathematics

University of Chicago

Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics

Test Scores
SAT
1560
ACT
33
Felix

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Felix

Associate in Science
Felix's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am excited to be working with Varsity Tutors because I enjoy teaching and getting to share some of my academic experience. I have done a little tutoring, but most of my teaching experience is in the university setting as a TA. I'm particularly excited about biology and psychology, where I have the...

Education

University of Chicago

Associate in Science

Test Scores
SAT
1540
Aaron

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Aaron

Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering
Aaron's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Calculus 2
Calculus
Algebra

I'm not tutoring or buried in my textbooks, you will either find me rock climbing at the Triangle Rock Club, playing Ultimate Frisbee, working on my car, or enjoying the great outdoors (beaches, mountains, forests--you name it, I love it). On rainy weekends I enjoy tinkering with computers and old e...

Education

The University of Texas at Dallas

Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering

Duke University

Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1530
Andrew

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Andrew

Doctor of Philosophy, Biomedical Engineering
Andrew's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Linear Algebra
College Algebra
Multivariable Calculus

I am comfortable tutoring math subjects up to multivariable calculus and differential equations, as well as college physics.

Education

University of North Texas

Bachelor of Science, Physics

Vanderbilt University

Doctor of Philosophy, Biomedical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1480
Jonathan

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Jonathan

PHD, Physics
Jonathan's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
Trigonometry
Calculus 3
Calculus

I am eager to help students wrestle with and master concepts in their math and physics classes. I have extensive experience tutoring students in both math and physics at the high school and college level in one on one and larger group settings. During my PhD I was awarded a teaching fellowship which...

Education

University of Chicago

PHD, Physics

Vanderbilt University

Bachelors

Frequently Asked Questions

College Physics typically covers mechanics (motion, forces, energy), waves and sound, electricity and magnetism, and often includes thermodynamics and modern physics concepts. The curriculum emphasizes understanding fundamental principles and their real-world applications—from how engines work to how electricity powers devices. Many courses include both lecture and lab components, where you'll conduct experiments to test theoretical concepts and develop hands-on scientific reasoning skills.

Many students struggle with visualizing abstract concepts like electric fields, vector forces, and wave behavior—things you can't directly see. Problem-solving often requires connecting multiple concepts and choosing the right equations, which goes beyond memorization. Unit conversions and dimensional analysis also trip up students who haven't mastered these foundational skills. Personalized tutoring helps you build conceptual understanding rather than just memorizing formulas, making it easier to tackle unfamiliar problems on exams.

Lab work teaches the scientific method—designing experiments, collecting data, and drawing conclusions—which is just as important as understanding theory. A tutor can help you understand what you're testing, why you're using specific equipment, and how to interpret results. They can also help you connect lab findings back to lecture concepts, ensuring you see the relationship between theory and practice. This deeper understanding makes lab reports more meaningful and helps you develop critical scientific thinking skills.

College Physics problems require you to identify which concepts apply, set up equations correctly, and execute multi-step solutions—it's not just plug-and-chug math. Many students memorize formulas without understanding when and why to use them, which fails when problems look unfamiliar. Personalized tutoring teaches you a systematic approach: analyzing what's given, identifying what you need to find, and selecting the right physics principles. With practice and guidance, problem-solving becomes a logical process rather than a mystery.

Strong algebra and trigonometry skills are essential—you'll use them constantly in equations and vector problems. Understanding basic geometry and how to work with graphs is also important. If your math foundation feels shaky, a tutor can help you refresh these skills while you're learning physics, preventing math gaps from holding you back. Starting with solid fundamentals makes the physics concepts themselves much more manageable.

Your first session is about understanding where you are and what you need. A tutor will assess your grasp of key concepts, identify specific challenges (whether it's problem-solving, lab work, or understanding theory), and learn about your course goals. From there, they'll create a personalized plan focused on your biggest pain points—whether that's mastering difficult topics, preparing for exams, or building problem-solving confidence. This tailored approach means you get help exactly where you need it most.

Exam prep goes beyond reviewing notes—a tutor helps you practice problems similar to what you'll see on the test, identifies patterns in your mistakes, and teaches you to think through problems systematically. They can help you understand which concepts are most likely to appear and how they connect to each other. Mock exams and timed practice also build confidence and reduce test anxiety, so you walk in prepared and ready.

Look for tutors with strong backgrounds in physics—ideally with a degree in physics or a related field, or significant experience teaching the subject. They should understand both the conceptual foundations and the practical problem-solving skills you need. Experience with your specific course level and textbook is a bonus. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have proven expertise in College Physics and a track record of helping students succeed.

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