The Universe Is Not Locally Real

[polymath257]

If you want to learn physics, start with math. Go at least through differential equations and linear algebra.

Then get a good engineering physics textbook and read it. After that, you can start on quantum mechanics and special relativity. Don't expect to do general relativity until you have had more math (at least multivariate calculus and some more advanced linear algebra involving tensors).

I started failing college at the time that I was taking differential equations and abstract algebra.  I rather liked differential equations even though I didn't get far.  My main handicap is never having memorized the trigonometric identities.  I'd have to restart at Calc I, but my progress would likely be swift.  I always found the concepts easy to absorb.  In two years I will qualify for basically free college classes.  I'm sure that I could handle 15 credits a quarter without any real difficulty.  I'm close to the U and so travel time is minimized.

The first diffeq course is usually not a proof class. Abstract algebra is, though. And figuring out proofs is almost always a hurdle. if you go far enough, the representation theory of groups is useful in symmetry aspects of physics and is a common way to find conserved quantities via Noether's theorem. In diffeq, make sure you have a class that does power series solutions and, if you can, covers a bit of partial differential equations.

I can recommend good physics books once you get past the calculus based engineering physics. Electromagnetism is another key topic.