Hello everyone, I have a question to ask about becoming a physicist

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A grade 10 student in Germany has developed a newfound interest in science, particularly physics, after engaging with Einstein's theories and Stephen Hawking's "A Brief History of Time." Despite previously disliking subjects like math and physics, the student now aspires to become a physicist but is concerned about starting late in their academic journey. Responses from others in the discussion emphasize that it is not too late to pursue a career in physics, sharing personal experiences of starting their studies later in life, including at the undergraduate level. They highlight the importance of foundational knowledge in mathematics and physics, suggesting that with dedication, it is entirely feasible to transition into these fields even after initially focusing on other subjects. The consensus is that age or timing should not deter the student from following their passion for physics.
K.A.Linh
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I am currently a grade 10th student stuying in Germany. I was never interested in science subjects such as Math, Physics or Chemistry, until I heard about Einstein's theories and the book " A brief history of time" by Stephen Hawking. Now I have a totally different view about those subjects I used to hate in school, I feel like I have entered the mathematical world, I see things in a way that I have never recognized them before. I have now a dream to become a physicist, but I am already in grade 10th, and I didn't focus on those subjects as I was younger. Does anybody have the same situation as me? And is it too late for me to start all over again?
 
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No, it's not too late. The first time I saw physics was my first year of undergraduate university.
 
Nope, I did not studying physics and math until I was 19, now I'm going to be doing a PhD in plasma physics. Just realize that Stephen Hawking's books are "popular science" which is meant to be more of an outreach to the general public. They are NOT real science or physics, but more of a summary of major results in a way that the general population can understand.

If you want to go into math and physics you need to study algebra, trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus, etc. And take physics for your science courses.
 
I'm 30 and only recently started my path to a bachelors degree, so I'd say no, it's not too late. ;)
 
I know people who have taken foundation years or gone back to school halfway through another degree (so in their early twenties, at the very least) and are doing really well in physics. OP, if I got the German grade system right, you're what? 15 or 16? It's definitely not too late for you to become a physicist!

(I actually chose later than you did...I made my decision the summer before I was due to apply to university)
 
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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