- #1
2VtQCxn
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So I want to be a physicist.
Avoiding false modesty, I'm pretty good at it, probably the best in my year in physics and possibly math. I never have problems learning, unless the material is shallowly presented and I reject it, which has happened in many of my classes, unfortunately. I've taken some upper level classes (including graduate mechanics), some without prerequisites, and skipped some lower level ones like linear algebra. My GPA, about 3.2, rightly reflects my lax attitude about my transcript up until today. I'm a sophomore now.
Why the slacking? Until this week I had absolutely no intention of going into science. Grades weren't important because I took these classes purely out of curiosity and knew I was could score As in all of them. I figured I should spend my life creating something practical to improve people's lives, and I was working on a potential startup (the skills and the actual concept) instead of taking classes seriously. School was just a nicety with a certificate at the end, since my real trophy would be my project.
[content edited out at user request]
I will learn the physics no matter what. But I also need to demonstrate that I will be a good physicist, despite evidence to the contrary, and quickly. What can I do to reverse any doubts as to my commitment henceforth?
Some related things I've been thinking about:
(1) An unfortunate fact is that school (this school anyway) is very much in the way of my education. Everything I've learned I've learned by reading. I go to lectures only to stay up to date on what we're covering and to not offend the professor too much. My dream education would be tutorial-style. Self-driven, self-paced, but with knowledgeable people to answer questions. I don't have much hope of a solution, but maybe there are programs for this?
(2) I'm ignorant of what's going on at the forefront of science. I can't understand what's on the ArXiv. How do non-experts keep up? I was recommended Physics Today by a professor I had a long talk with this afternoon. I'd also like to keep up with what's happening in other fields, like biology and aerospace.
(3) I want to be a part of the community as well. Where are the virtual gathering places?
Thanks for any comments.
Avoiding false modesty, I'm pretty good at it, probably the best in my year in physics and possibly math. I never have problems learning, unless the material is shallowly presented and I reject it, which has happened in many of my classes, unfortunately. I've taken some upper level classes (including graduate mechanics), some without prerequisites, and skipped some lower level ones like linear algebra. My GPA, about 3.2, rightly reflects my lax attitude about my transcript up until today. I'm a sophomore now.
Why the slacking? Until this week I had absolutely no intention of going into science. Grades weren't important because I took these classes purely out of curiosity and knew I was could score As in all of them. I figured I should spend my life creating something practical to improve people's lives, and I was working on a potential startup (the skills and the actual concept) instead of taking classes seriously. School was just a nicety with a certificate at the end, since my real trophy would be my project.
[content edited out at user request]
I will learn the physics no matter what. But I also need to demonstrate that I will be a good physicist, despite evidence to the contrary, and quickly. What can I do to reverse any doubts as to my commitment henceforth?
Some related things I've been thinking about:
(1) An unfortunate fact is that school (this school anyway) is very much in the way of my education. Everything I've learned I've learned by reading. I go to lectures only to stay up to date on what we're covering and to not offend the professor too much. My dream education would be tutorial-style. Self-driven, self-paced, but with knowledgeable people to answer questions. I don't have much hope of a solution, but maybe there are programs for this?
(2) I'm ignorant of what's going on at the forefront of science. I can't understand what's on the ArXiv. How do non-experts keep up? I was recommended Physics Today by a professor I had a long talk with this afternoon. I'd also like to keep up with what's happening in other fields, like biology and aerospace.
(3) I want to be a part of the community as well. Where are the virtual gathering places?
Thanks for any comments.
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