this advice from Quora:

“How do some students solve all of the engineering physics problems?
Begin by looking over the chapter. Before you read it in detail, look at all the figures; look at all the sections, headings. Try to get a sense of what is in the chapter. Try to guess what is most important.

Then look at the problems at the end of the chapter. Do you know how to solve any of them? (Don’t try to solve them; just look at them.) Can you see the connections between the problems and the chapter?

Next, read the chapter carefully. Don’t get hung up on any one paragraph, but if you feel you don’t understand it thoroughly, then mark it as something you need to work on again.

After you have read the chapter, but before you go to the problems, go back to those sections you didn’t understand, and try again. If you have trouble, then seek help from another student, or visit the office hours of your professor.

Go to the problems at the end of the book. Start by trying to work the ones that were assigned. If you really did the reading as I suggested, you might find that they are a lot easier than you anticipated.

After you have done the ones you can do, look at the other problems. Don’t go to the trouble of doing each one, but go to the trouble of outlining how you would do each one. If you get stuck on any of them, go back to the text.

Finally, review the assigned problems that were too hard. At this point, you might say, “Oh — why was that so hard? I see how to do it now.” At least, that’s what you hope for. If you don’t see how to do it, then (but only then) consult with another student. You probably missed something, and you don’t want to beat your head against a wall trying to figure out what it was. A little help from a friend can save you hours.

Here’s what NOT to do (but which is done by many students): They read the chapter quickly, without full comprehension, but then go back as needed as they work the assigned problems. As a result, the process takes a lot longer, and they learn far less; they will not be prepared for the exams.”

I wonder what SCIENCE thinks of that.