Award-Winning College Physics Tutors serving San Diego, CA

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Award-Winning College Physics Tutors serving San Diego, CA

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
Matthew

Certified Tutor

15+ years

Matthew

Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Matthew's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Middle School Math
Geometry

I'm particularly fond of math and science, I can provide assistance in almost any subject (from Latin to world geography to art history), and can also help in preparing students for standardized tests such as the SAT, GRE, and MCAT.

Education

Stanford University

Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering

The University of Texas at Austin

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1580

Frequently Asked Questions

College Physics courses usually cover mechanics (motion, forces, energy, and momentum), waves and sound, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and often light and optics. The specific topics and depth depend on whether you're taking algebra-based or calculus-based physics, and your major requirements. For students in San Diego pursuing engineering, pre-med, or physics majors, the course rigor and mathematical complexity can vary significantly. Working with a tutor helps you understand how these concepts connect to your specific course requirements and future studies.

Physics isn't about memorizing formulas—it's about understanding how the physical world works. Many students struggle because they try to memorize equations without grasping the underlying principles. When you truly understand concepts like force, acceleration, or energy, you can solve novel problems and apply knowledge to real situations, from designing bridges to understanding how your car's brakes work. Personalized tutoring helps you visualize abstract concepts and build genuine understanding rather than relying on memorization, which is essential for both exams and success in advanced courses.

Absolutely. Lab work is where physics comes alive, but many students find it challenging to connect their lab observations to theoretical concepts. Tutors can help you design experiments, understand the scientific method, analyze data, write lab reports, and troubleshoot when results don't match predictions. They can also explain the physics principles behind what you're observing in the lab, which deepens both your experimental understanding and your grasp of the theory. For students in San Diego taking College Physics with lab components, this support is invaluable for developing strong scientific reasoning skills.

Students frequently struggle with unit conversions, setting up physics problems correctly, understanding vector concepts, and connecting math to physical meaning. Many also find it difficult to visualize abstract concepts like electric fields, magnetic forces, or quantum behavior. Additionally, the jump from high school physics to college-level courses can be steep—College Physics demands stronger mathematical skills and deeper conceptual thinking. With personalized instruction, you can address your specific weak areas, whether that's the math, the concepts, or the problem-solving strategy.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have strong backgrounds in physics and experience teaching at the college level. When you reach out, you can specify your course type (algebra-based or calculus-based), your specific challenges, and your learning goals. The matching process ensures you work with someone who understands your course curriculum and can explain complex concepts clearly. For students in San Diego, this personalized approach means you get instruction tailored to your needs, whether you need help before exams, with problem sets, or building foundational understanding.

Strong problem-solving in physics requires knowing when to apply which concepts, translating word problems into diagrams and equations, and checking whether answers make physical sense. Many students can plug numbers into formulas but struggle with the reasoning process. A tutor can teach you a systematic approach: carefully reading problems, identifying what's given and what's unknown, selecting appropriate equations, and evaluating your results. By working through problems together, you develop the logical thinking and strategic skills that make physics less about calculation and more about reasoning—skills that transfer to exams and real-world applications.

Yes, but you'll need to address math gaps while learning physics. Since College Physics relies on algebra, trigonometry, and often calculus, weak math fundamentals can make physics much harder than it needs to be. A tutor can help you strengthen relevant math skills in the context of physics—so you're learning math concepts through their physical applications. This approach is more effective than studying math in isolation because you immediately see why unit conversions, vectors, or derivatives matter. Many students in San Diego find that targeted math support during their physics course makes a tremendous difference in both understanding and confidence.

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