Best way to learn science? (question)

[TheAustrian]

The internet is not being opposed - it is the use of the internet alone as a means for learning science. Similarly, book learning, by itself, is not that good. You also need practical experience. The "best" was asked for in post #1 - you learn best from doing. In this case, doing science.

Science, in common language, usually embodies three things:
1. the knowledge base;
2. the institutions;
3. the process;

People usually mix them up so care is needed.
Scientists usually concentrate on the last of these. (See links below)
You can certainly memorize a lot of facts that form part of the scientific knowledgebase - but this is not the best way to learn science , which involves concentrating on the process.
The best way to learn the process is to use it.

I think it is dangerous to say that there is a single golden bullet that works for everyone. Every person learns in different way, and the same experience presented to different people may be the best one ever to one, and worthless to the other. It is also not that clear what you mean by "doing" science.

I did not at any time mean that the internet in itself is going to be enough for studying. It is a great assistance, but of course in itself it can not lead to success. A carefully thought out mixture of various resources is necessary for learning.

As for the OP, one advice that has been very helpful to me is this: learn some programming. Even if not to a very advanced level, it is definitely going to help you out. A lot of jobs these days will require C, C++ or some other high level programming language. Computations are generally done using computers, so it's going to help a lot if you understand how to use computers for calculations, and know how to perform at least some basic stuff yourself.

 

[D H]

So in order to become knowledgeable in QM/Science do I need to understand how to use it? In that case mathematics might be very useful.

If you aren't using mathematics you aren't doing physics.

Getting back to your original post, it's imperative that you improve your study habits. You need to get to the state where you can spend hours at a time working on one problem. The simple problems in physics textbooks can be solved in minutes to a few hours. The complex problems professionals face can take months or years to solve. A short attention span and problems that take months or maybe even years to solve don't mix.

 

[Phycisists]

If you aren't using mathematics you aren't doing physics.

Getting back to your original post, it's imperative that you improve your study habits. You need to get to the state where you can spend hours at a time working on one problem. The simple problems in physics textbooks can be solved in minutes to a few hours. The complex problems professionals face can take months or years to solve. A short attention span and problems that take months or maybe even years to solve don't mix.

How should I improve to that point?

Everytime I try to solve a mathematical/physics problem my brain's neural inpulses basically stops in the midway giving me the "cloudy" feeling in my head. I find it very easy to learn maths and physics, but difficult (probably very) to solve the actual complicated tasks. I guess that's my problem because I usually start studying close to the deadline (thanks to my excessive computer gaming).

I forgot to specify exactly how my attention span works:

I do not have any trouble reading a book (besides the fact that I get bored easily depending on which one it is), my main problem is when it comes to problem solving. I usually immedietly shut off and leave the task unsolved but this occurs only with maths/physics. Is this a serious problem if I want to pursue a career in the scientific field?

Also how do I overcome that problem?

Did YOU have these kind of problems at my age? Are they "normal"?

 

[TheAustrian]

Giving up computer gaming, is going to be your first task if you are really serious and committed about this thing. Learning Maths and Physics is a very, very time consuming journey to take.

 

[AlephZero]

Is this a serious problem if I want to pursue a career in the scientific field?

Hmm... I wouldn't call it "serious problem". You want a stronger expression.

Unless you sort out that problem, you are wasting your time dreaming about a scientific career. Your chance of succeeding would be precisely zilch.

 

[IGU]

I do not have any trouble reading a book (besides the fact that I get bored easily depending on which one it is), my main problem is when it comes to problem solving. I usually immedietly shut off and leave the task unsolved but this occurs only with maths/physics. Is this a serious problem if I want to pursue a career in the scientific field?

You want to do a little reading about neuroplasticity. Your brain adapts to what you do. What this means is that if you spend lots of time playing video games then your brain adapts to optimize the skills needed for that. Patient deep problem solving (what you have to get good at for science) is kind of the opposite of what you are training your brain to be good at. Video games, at least twitch games, teach you to get good at solving problems instinctually and quickly; it's do that or you're dead.

Ultimately getting good at science means spending lots of time doing what scientists do. Unless you are prepared to do that, unless you want to do that, you are unlikely to get anywhere.

 

[ModusPwnd]

Let me repeat some of my earlier advise...

Honestly, if you have a poor attention span and have only read one book in your life then I think you need to practice reading and developing an attention span. Otherwise any sort of academic venture will be out of your reach. I think you need to work on the ability to sit down in a quiet room and read for a few hours and finish books.

You don't need to start with science and math texts. Start with kids books. Read the Harry Potter series or something similar. Work your way into spending longer and longer times reading. Avoid distractions like music or TV, you want to train your brain to be capable of maintaining with moderate and even low stimulation. I like what IGU posted above me about "neuroplasticity". That which you spend your day doing is what you are training your brain to do.

 

[Phycisists]

Let me repeat some of my earlier advise...



You don't need to start with science and math texts. Start with kids books. Read the Harry Potter series or something similar. Work your way into spending longer and longer times reading. Avoid distractions like music or TV, you want to train your brain to be capable of maintaining with moderate and even low stimulation. I like what IGU posted above me about "neuroplasticity". That which you spend your day doing is what you are training your brain to do.

It's not that I have any problem reading, it's just that I'm very selective so I won't read a book if it's not for example ScI-Fi which I absolutely like mostly.

I have to agree with your thought involving neuroplasticity, my brain is probably adapted to instinctively know how to solve a problem, especially problems that are considered to be short which my brain is adapted to.

I think my main problem is about the video games, too bad I'm a bit too addicted.

Regarding maths/physics know, how can I become self sufficient in those two topics? I find it easy to learn it but difficult to master (solving hard problems, especially long ones probably due to neuroplasticity) without being provided with help.

Do I simply try to solve the basic ones and go through them till I'm at the harder ones? They're usually expecting different skills which I didn't learn from solving the simple ones, which makes me inadequate to solve the more complex ones. Your thoughts?

Also I forgot to mention that you're all being helpful and I appreciate it.

 

[Simon Bridge]

Regarding maths/physics know, how can I become self sufficient in those two topics? I find it easy to learn it but difficult to master (solving hard problems, especially long ones probably due to neuroplasticity) without being provided with help.

Then get help.

Seriously, you have already received answers to those questions.

 

[ZapperZ]

Regarding maths/physics know, how can I become self sufficient in those two topics? I find it easy to learn it but difficult to master (solving hard problems, especially long ones probably due to neuroplasticity) without being provided with help.

Do I simply try to solve the basic ones and go through them till I'm at the harder ones? They're usually expecting different skills which I didn't learn from solving the simple ones, which makes me inadequate to solve the more complex ones. Your thoughts?

Also I forgot to mention that you're all being helpful and I appreciate it.

Read the quote I posted from Mary Boas's text:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=4308901&postcount=4

There are no shortcuts! Your continued asking of the same question repeatedly tells me that you do not want to accept the hard work that you were told you need in the many answers that you were given.

If this is true, I strongly suggest that you consider another line of career.

Zz.

 

[TitoSmooth]

Maybe a career in the humanities, such as English, Art, History, or Child Development is best for you? :)

 

[Phycisists]

I usually repeat myself without noticing it, can't really control it at times and theoretical physics is pretty much the only thing I'm interested in. I also repeat without noticing because I want clear instructions which I sometimes do not comprehend immedietely.

Sorry for the repetition.

 

[malignant]

I get the sense that you're attempting to learn at an unreasonable rate. I was similar a few years ago, I spent more time searching for the best/fastest ways to learn than actually learning the math and physics itself. It's similar to reading a chapter and constantly checking how many pages you have left. You have to just slow down. Wanting to learn so fast is most likely what's making you feel restless(because it's not as fast as you would like) and causing you to lose focus when reading a textbook.

As for materials, I found that watching lectures and simply googling topics which usually lead you to this site, supplements(not replaces) a book quite well. Unless you're somehow finding a multitude of appropriate exercises online, you need a book. You're still young, there's no reason to be trying to rush the learning. Attempting to shortcut will result in much more time being spent because the topics won't be solid. You'll be filling holes in previous topics over and over and it's just inefficient. There are suggested sequences posted all over this site, just follow them and be honest with yourself and don't move on until you have a firm grasp of the material.

Also, I don't know if this was asked already, but why not simply attend a university for physics?

 

[Adjoint]

... spent more time searching for the best/fastest ways to learn than actually learning the math and physics itself.

I have had similar experience. That's a killer thing. Many of the people who are trying to self learn are likely to fall in this trap.

And for someone who says

I want to become a theoretical physicist

... he/she should, as malignant commented -

just slow down

and

simply attend a university for physics

 

[Adjoint]

I want to become a theoretical physicist

As an addition, OP can check out this article by one of the mentors here (ZapperZ)

"So You Want To Be A Physicist"

https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1KBovBeg_kl6nAk8fTBYQdHMo8o3o0IgunPE3R7_OEHM&pli=1

 

[Andrew Tsvyk]

Wikipedia is good for people who want to just get an idea about one fact or another. However, it's useless to people who are studying a subject in depth. This is because anyone with a Wikipedia account can alter the information. Therefore it is an unreliable source.

 

[Andrew Tsvyk]

It is best to use BBC Bitesize or a similar website if studying via Internet is your preference.

 

[Alexander2357]

I have tried a million different ways then realized that the best way to learn physics (to get good grades) is to simply do the questions in the textbook. As many as possible.

I am currently using Halliday and Resnick physics textbook and the questions are great for preparing for exams. A full solutions manual is essential though.

 

[Andrew Tsvyk]

I absolutely agree with you. I have used this method in mathematics — did as many questions as possible. I can assure you in the effectiveness of this tactic as long as you've got consistency. When it comes to real success, that is the key.

What I did and doing currently, is start work at a certain hour, and keep to that schedule. To achieve results, you have to be consistent and do those questions for at least an hour every day. If you miss a day for one reason or another, your regime will be disrupted, you'd have to start again.

 

[Alexander2357]

I absolutely agree with you. I have used this method in mathematics — did as many questions as possible. I can assure you in the effectiveness of this tactic as long as you've got consistency. When it comes to real success, that is the key.

What I did and doing currently, is start work at a certain hour, and keep to that schedule. To achieve results, you have to be consistent and do those questions for at least an hour every day. If you miss a day for one reason or another, your regime will be disrupted, you'd have to start again.

It is a simple and efficient method but highly effective. I know people that use highlighters, fancy notes, and some really weird methods to study like writing stuff on the wall or reading out load, etc.

It is best to just do what you actually need to do well. You're not going to take your fancy notes with you into the exam but you are going to take your problem solving skills with you into the exams.

 

[mal4mac]

The only practical way to learn physics is to do a physics degree. It's a really, really hard subject! You need all the resources you can find. The first resource needed is a University, with actual physicists on hand to answer the many questions you will have, set course work, give lectures, give continual direction, etc... You also need a library & University Bookshop full of books to access, for the many times when your textbook, and other resources, just doesn't do it for you. If none of these resources help you, then you might try the internet, but it's a last resort, mostly best avoided, and not likely to work.

If you feel dumb because you can't understand Wikipedia articles, don't feel dumb. It's the Wikipedia articles, not you - they are, mostly, like notes made by a very terse graduate student for himself, and then made more obscure by other graduate students adding their notes at random. Most other internet resources are usually lecture summaries, and need a lecturer to fill them out in lectures, or an actual textbook (or 10), to be of any real use.