Education Guides

Here contains all the non-technical guides for the topic of education. This usually revolves around being a student, in academia and career advice. Guides offer a window and option offering for many aspects education and STEM careers. Learn something new today!

teaching physics

A Lesson In Teaching Physics: You Can’t Give It Away

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A central principle of Physics Forums regarding homework help is not to provide solutions on demand but to guide students along a path to the answer.  The…
what if physics questions

Avoid Breaking Physics: Ask Better ‘What If’ Questions

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We receive many "what if" questions here on Physics Forums. This article explores three common types and offers suggestions for students whose questions…
science major advice

Aiming High and Managing Distractions as Keys to Success for Science Majors

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Over the years, I've noticed some distinct trends among the physics and chemistry majors I've mentored and worked with.Those with GPAs in the 3.8-4.0…

What Academic Advice Would You Tell Your 18 Year Old Self?

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We asked our PF Advisors to tell us what academic advice would you tell your 18 year old self. Here are their responses…Thanks to all the PF…
advisor_textbooks

What’s Your Most Memorable Textbook?

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We asked our PF Advisors to tell us their most memorable or influential textbook and why. Here are their responses...Thanks to all the PF Advisors…
debatetips

Learn 3 Tips For Cooling Off Hot Debates and Win The Argument

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 Civil discussion and debate are critical to Physics Forums. But it is also important in everyday life. When arguments get overheated, people…
textbook

The Birth of a Physics Textbook: An Author’s Journey

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 It is said that you should accomplish three things in life:Plant a tree. Have a child. Write a book.Out of the three, I have…
introphysics

So I Am Your Intro Physics Instructor

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I posted this elsewhere (on my blog), and someone mentioned that maybe it might also be useful here on PF. So I'm reproducing the entire entry here in…
selfstudy

Why Self-Studying Mathematics Often Fails and How to Persist

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For several years I have helped students who were self-studying mathematics. I did this free, without compensation, because I found it an enriching experience.…
physicsathome

Resources for High School Physics at Home

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A year-long high school Physics course is important preparation for all college majors in science, engineering, and medicine because students in these…
mathiq

Can You Succeed in Mathematics? Common Concerns Answered

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We often see threads from new members asking whether they are cut out for mathematics, physics, engineering, or other technical fields. For some reason…
scienceprojects

Learn the Secrets of Successful Science Projects

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Abstract Over the past few years, the author and his wife have served as teachers, qualified scientists, mentors, and/or parents on dozens of science…
goingbacktoschool

A Guide to Going Back to School For Math or Science

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Motivations for creating the series I came to Physics Forums originally to read ZapperZ’s thread about becoming a physicist back in 2013. It was one…
doubt

Doubt, Discouragement, and Perseverance in STEM Careers

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Doubt, as odd as this may sound, can be essential to living. We all make decisions and later question whether we made the right choice; doubt helps influence…
procrastination

Overcome Procrastination: Practical Student Strategies

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Introduction It's 6:30 in the morning. You've just woken up and feel so sleepy you think, "A few more minutes can't hurt," and drift back under your comforter.The…
physics course

CV Tips for Physicists: Secure Postdoc & Research Jobs

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Curriculum Vitae (CV): What to include I am going to backtrack a little bit and talk about writing your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and what you should focus…
physics doctoral

Postdoctoral Positions: How to Succeed as a Physicist

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Postdoctoral Positions What is a postdoc? If you intend to pursue an academic or research career, you will very likely need postdoctoral experience.…
physics jobs

Physics PhD Job Search: Start Well Before Graduation

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Start your job search well before graduation In the previous chapter you finished your thesis defense and submitted your thesis to the graduate school.…
thesis defense

Preparing for Your Physics PhD Thesis Defense Effectively

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Overview: The Thesis Defense At this point you have completed writing your thesis, your adviser has approved it, and you have distributed it to all…
doctoral thesis

Writing Your Doctoral Thesis: Guide for Physics Grad

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Introduction At this stage you have performed your doctoral research, maybe published (or are about to publish) a paper or two, and may have presented…
oral presentation2

APS March & April Meetings: Guide for Physics Grad Students

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Overview of the APS March and April Meetings I'll try not to make a habit out of this, but I believe there's something to add to this chapter of the series.In…
physics journals2

How to Publish in a Physics Journal (Addendum)

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 When I first wrote this part of the series, I wasn't quite sure if I should include this. for most people submitting to most of the physics journals,…
oral presentation

Presenting Physics Research: Conference Tips for Students

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Why attend physics conferences? I mentioned earlier that physicists communicate their work in two main ways: publications in peer-reviewed journals…
masterdegree

How to Write a Master Degree Thesis As a Physics Major

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Your First Scientific Paper Ought to be good! Structure and Contents of a Master's Degree Thesis This guide was written some years ago as a guideline…
physics journals

How to Publish Your PhD Research in Physics Journals

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Publishing your Ph.D. research in physics journals At this stage you are well into your Ph.D. research and may already be producing new results. This…
lab work

Research Ethics for Physicists: Keep a Detailed Lab Notebook

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Starting Your Research and Keeping Good Records Now, where were we? Oh yes — you have started your actual research work. You and your adviser have…
advisor research

Choosing a Physics Research Advisor in Graduate School

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Choosing a Research Area and an Advisor In the previous part, I described the trials and tribulations of going through the qualifying exam that almost…
grad exam

Pass Physics Grad Qualifying Exams: Strategies & Plan

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Starting Graduate School: Coursework and Campus Life You are now entering your first year of graduate school. Academically, you will typically take…
other majors

Entering Physics Graduate School Without a Physics Degree

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Can you enter physics graduate school without a physics degree? I decided to write about this because it is a very common question on many physics forums:…
publishing in journals

Guide to Publishing in Peer Reviewed Journals

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From Concept to Manuscript You've done the science.  You had an idea, performed an extensive literature review, designed an experiment, ran the experiment,…
alternative careers

Careers with a Physics Degree: Alternatives & Advice

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Nontraditional career paths for physics graduates We are still discussing the final year of your undergraduate education. So far, we have covered what…
physics career

Understanding the US Physics Graduate School System

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Understanding the US Graduate School System We are still in the discussion of your fourth and final year of college. This time I’ll explain the US…
before grad school

Physics Graduate Assistantships: TA vs RA Explained

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Assistantships in US Physics Graduate Programs We are still discussing the final year of your undergraduate program, when you are applying to graduate…
physics grad school

Physics Grad School: Senior-Year Application Guide

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Senior Year — Preparing for Graduate School You have now reached your final undergraduate year. By this point you have completed core courses in the…
physics major

Physics Major Guide: Succeed in Years 3–4 and Research

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Becoming a Physics Major (End of Year 2) So far, I have covered what a student needs through the end of the second year of study. In most U.S. schools,…
medical physics

How to Become a Medical Physicist in 3653 Easy Steps

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For many physics students, Medical Physics is that branch of the discipline that seems to hover in the no-man's land between academia and "industry." …
math preparations

Mathematical Prep for Physics Majors — Essential Guide

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Part III: Mathematical Preparations In most universities in the U.S., students must declare a major by the end of their second year. That decision is…
surviving college

Essential Guide: Surviving Your First Year in Physics

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Part II: Surviving the First Year of College This part covers survival tips for the first two undergraduate years. You’re now in college and intend…
Early Physics Education in High schools

Early Physics Education in High Schools For Physics Majors

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So You Want to Be a Physicist: A 22-Part GuideIntroduction: The motivation for creating the seriesWhy this series One of the most frequent questions…
ADHD studying

Overcoming Challenges of Self-Studying Number Theory

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Introduction During my summer break I spent several hours each day self-studying mathematics—primarily number theory—even though I had no prior experience…