From the Lab

Articles & Guides

Straight talk on AFOQT prep, machine learning, physics, and AI — from someone who uses this knowledge in the field every day.

AFOQT
How to Score 90+ on the AFOQT: The Complete 2026 Study Guide

Most candidates study the wrong things and run out of time. This guide covers all 12 subtests, an 8-week study plan, the top 3 mistakes to avoid, and the resources that actually move the needle.

AFOQT
AFOQT Verbal Analogies: The Strategy That Took My Students from 60 to 85+

A 25-point jump on verbal analogies isn't talent — it's pattern recognition. Learn the five relationship types, the elimination method, and how to build speed under pressure.

Physics
Physics Tutoring Online: What to Look for in 2026

Most physics tutors can solve the problem. Few can explain why it works. Here's what separates a great online physics tutor from a mediocre one — and how to assess before you book.

Machine Learning
Machine Learning for Beginners: The Honest Roadmap

Most beginner ML guides send you in the wrong direction. Here's the sequence that actually works — what to learn first, which free resources are worth your time, and how long it realistically takes.

AI Tools
AI Tools for Students in 2026: What Actually Works

Claude, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Notion AI — which tools are genuinely useful for students and which are hype? Honest breakdown of what each does well, where each falls short, and how to use AI without killing your own learning.

AI Tools · Physics
5 AI Tools That Actually Help Physics Students (Not Just Hype)

A PhD physicist's honest breakdown of 5 AI tools that genuinely help physics students understand concepts, work through problems, and study smarter — with prompt examples and what to avoid.

AI Tools · Study Skills
How to Use ChatGPT to Study Smarter (Without Cheating)

10 specific techniques for using ChatGPT as a legitimate study tool — Socratic tutoring, explain-it-back, error analysis, practice exam generation, and more. Prompt templates included.