Schools Thinking about what to study in graduate school as an undergraduate

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Many undergraduates face uncertainty about their graduate school focus, particularly in physics. It's common for students to feel intimidated by complex academic literature, yet exploring research opportunities and reviewing various physics programs can help clarify interests. Engaging with research papers, even at a basic level, can provide insights into whether one prefers experimental or theoretical work. While it's not necessary to have a specific dissertation topic in mind, having a general direction is beneficial for graduate school applications. Some students choose their subjects based on personal interest rather than pressure, emphasizing the importance of enjoyment in the learning process. The discussion highlights that taking action now, even if the choice isn't perfect, is often more productive than delaying decisions.
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As an undergraduate, did any of you know what you wanted to studied in graduate school. I have absolutely no idea what I want to studied once I begin graduate school. Was there something that caused you to go into a certain direction in a physics field. I guess most people get there inspirations for studying a certain field by acquiring knowledge about the field and the field would have to interest them. What are some other suggestions that I should excecute that will guide you into the field that you find interests you without being intimidate by reading those physics journals that nobody can read but people who understand gibberish
 
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most people have some idea, they at least know if they want to do experimental or theoretical work. the best thing to do is look around at the research sites for different physics programs, maybe read some papers, find out what research interests you. you don't need to have your phd dissertation picked out, but grad schools want to see that you have some direction before making an investment in you.
 
I'm starting graduate school this fall, I just picked the subject (complex analysis) on a whim. I like it, and this way I save time on an existential crisis. I figure I'll be happy no matter what I choose, so why torture myself over it?
 
Good job, Gunnihinn. 'Tis better to do a good thing now than the perfect thing tomorrow.
 
TL;DR Summary: I want to do a PhD in applied math but I hate group theory, is this a big problem? Hello, I am a second-year math and physics double major with a minor in data science. I just finished group theory (today actually), and it was my least favorite class in all of university so far. It doesn't interest me, and I am also very bad at it compared to other math courses I have done. The other courses I have done are calculus I-III, ODEs, Linear Algebra, and Prob/Stats. Is it a...
I’ve been looking through the curricula of several European theoretical/mathematical physics MSc programs (ETH, Oxford, Cambridge, LMU, ENS Paris, etc), and I’m struck by how little emphasis they place on advanced fundamental courses. Nearly everything seems to be research-adjacent: string theory, quantum field theory, quantum optics, cosmology, soft matter physics, black hole radiation, etc. What I don’t see are the kinds of “second-pass fundamentals” I was hoping for, things like...

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