Programs Advice for 1st Year Physics Major: Struggles & Successes

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A first-year physics major reflects on their academic performance, noting significant improvement in physics this semester after struggling previously due to a lack of study habits. While excelling in physics, they are only achieving average results in calculus 2 and seek advice on whether to continue with the physics major. The consensus emphasizes the importance of calculus in physics, highlighting that a strong grasp of calculus is essential for advanced physics coursework. It is advised to stay in the physics program while improving calculus skills, as both subjects are interconnected and critical for future studies in science and engineering.
Mgkov18
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I am a first year physics major, and last semester I did poorly in calc and physics, due to a lack of studying and being new to college and all that. This semester I am destroying physics so far (not cocky, I have been studying and getting A's on most quizzes), but I am only doing average in calc 2 now, which I don't see as bad. So I was wondering if you guys have advice for me on if I should stay a Physics major and better hopes if I change it. I still love every aspect of physics.
 
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Stay in physics but do better in calculus you have a lot to learn. Other science and engineering may also require calculus too.
 
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Calculus becomes very important in physics. In the introductory physics a lot of the calculus is kind of glazed over at first because it's assumed that one is currently learning calculus alongside physics. After the introductory physics, a solid working knowledge of calculus becomes far more crucial.
 
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Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...
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