- #1
Tomer
- 202
- 0
Hello everyone,
I don't usually post such personal matters but I feel like I really need an objective, professional opinion regarding my dilemmas...
A few months ago I started my Masters in Physics in Potsdam University, Germany. I did my Bachelor in Israel.
I'll try and make it short:
Although it was very simple for me to decide on physics as my bachelor (which I later expended to a degree in Maths as well), it was never clear to me what I want to do with it afterwards. My main interest was and still is Astrophysics and theoretical physics. I found lots of courses boring and technical. I had pretty good notes but I would always get the feeling my notes don't reflect my understanding at all (and by that I mean, that I could get a 100 in a course I was clueless in, and 70 in a course I felt I understood pretty well). The whole notes notion isn't my cup of tea at all. In fact, it depresses me and demotivates me.
Not that getting a low note depresses me. But wasting my time learning for super-specific tests. We all know that - you check who you prof is, do all his tests, and prepare yourself.
I didn't think I'd continue after my Bachelor.
I took a year off in Berlin and got settled here.
However, soon enough I realized I missed studying, I missed physics. So I started studying again. But with it started the suffering. The exams, the notes, the boring courses I have to take. Everyone around me seems so fascinated with everything. And I don't find everything fascinating.
Now, I have no idea what I want to do in my professional life. I earn money by teaching maths (mostly as a private teacher), which I enjoy, but that's not my life's goal. I think I'm pretty talented in Physics and Maths, I definitely am very curious, I like to get a deep understanding of things or not at all (unfortunately, 10% understanding is usually enough to get a good note if you study hard and solve lots of problems in physics... not so in maths).
I cannot imagine myself working in the industry. I can imagine myself going onward academically, but I'm not sure my achievements will be good enough. I could probably improve them, if I wanted to, but I'm not even sure I want this life style. There are also many different things in my life I like doing: I play music, go partying, like to chill, and travel, and read, and play games... I cannot invest 100% of myself in my studies. The smartest people in my class - they usually look like people that... well... don't go out much. I'm simply not like that.
So, I'm really having thoughts whether I'm studying the right thing.
I wanted to hear from others here - did you experience similar things? Was studying for you sometimes a terrible harassment? Or would you generally say you enjoyed the process?
Cause I didn't enjoy this semester. And what I find mostly interesting is what I read alone, in books.
I'd appreciate responses. Maybe it'll help me form my thoughts.
Thanks a lot
Tomer.
I don't usually post such personal matters but I feel like I really need an objective, professional opinion regarding my dilemmas...
A few months ago I started my Masters in Physics in Potsdam University, Germany. I did my Bachelor in Israel.
I'll try and make it short:
Although it was very simple for me to decide on physics as my bachelor (which I later expended to a degree in Maths as well), it was never clear to me what I want to do with it afterwards. My main interest was and still is Astrophysics and theoretical physics. I found lots of courses boring and technical. I had pretty good notes but I would always get the feeling my notes don't reflect my understanding at all (and by that I mean, that I could get a 100 in a course I was clueless in, and 70 in a course I felt I understood pretty well). The whole notes notion isn't my cup of tea at all. In fact, it depresses me and demotivates me.
Not that getting a low note depresses me. But wasting my time learning for super-specific tests. We all know that - you check who you prof is, do all his tests, and prepare yourself.
I didn't think I'd continue after my Bachelor.
I took a year off in Berlin and got settled here.
However, soon enough I realized I missed studying, I missed physics. So I started studying again. But with it started the suffering. The exams, the notes, the boring courses I have to take. Everyone around me seems so fascinated with everything. And I don't find everything fascinating.
Now, I have no idea what I want to do in my professional life. I earn money by teaching maths (mostly as a private teacher), which I enjoy, but that's not my life's goal. I think I'm pretty talented in Physics and Maths, I definitely am very curious, I like to get a deep understanding of things or not at all (unfortunately, 10% understanding is usually enough to get a good note if you study hard and solve lots of problems in physics... not so in maths).
I cannot imagine myself working in the industry. I can imagine myself going onward academically, but I'm not sure my achievements will be good enough. I could probably improve them, if I wanted to, but I'm not even sure I want this life style. There are also many different things in my life I like doing: I play music, go partying, like to chill, and travel, and read, and play games... I cannot invest 100% of myself in my studies. The smartest people in my class - they usually look like people that... well... don't go out much. I'm simply not like that.
So, I'm really having thoughts whether I'm studying the right thing.
I wanted to hear from others here - did you experience similar things? Was studying for you sometimes a terrible harassment? Or would you generally say you enjoyed the process?
Cause I didn't enjoy this semester. And what I find mostly interesting is what I read alone, in books.
I'd appreciate responses. Maybe it'll help me form my thoughts.
Thanks a lot
Tomer.