When we learn the alphabet, we're presented with a big picture of a letter, in its uppercase and lowercase form, and shown that letter in use in a familiar word.
Nobody ever did the equivalent for me for rho, sigma, lambda, etc. They just showed up on a blackboard in a sophomore physics class, without introduction.
Is that a common experience?
If so, then physics educators are lacking basic techniques known to kindergarten teachers everywhere.
That's pathetic.
It's like hiding physics knowledge behind a secret door so only the most determined students actually reach it.