How Can I Best Prepare for a Physics Degree in High School?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on how high school students can best prepare for a physics degree. Participants share insights on necessary subjects, resources, and foundational skills needed for success in physics and related fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • A participant expresses interest in pursuing a physics degree and seeks advice on preparation and expectations.
  • Another participant recommends ZapperZ's essay, "So You Want to be a Physicist," as a valuable resource for aspiring physicists.
  • A different participant emphasizes the importance of strong math skills, particularly in trigonometry and vectors, as foundational for future physics courses.
  • Concerns are raised about the limited exposure to calculus in high school and its implications for college-level physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of math preparation, particularly in trigonometry and vectors, but there is no consensus on specific preparatory actions beyond the recommendations made.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the potential limitations of high school curricula in covering advanced topics like calculus, which may affect readiness for college-level physics.

Who May Find This Useful

High school students interested in pursuing a degree in physics, educators advising students on preparation, and individuals exploring resources for academic guidance in STEM fields.

Josh0768
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As a sophomore in high school, I'm starting to reach that point where I need to think about on my future beyond graduation. I'm currently aspiring for a degree in physics, since math and science are the only subjects I've consistently enjoyed and I'm pretty good at both. Next year I'll be taking AP Physics 1, AP Chemistry and PreAP PreCal in preparation for astrophysics, although I am aware there are other branches.

Anyways, I was simply curious if there was anything I could do to prepare myself for a degree in physics, and what I should expect along the way. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
 
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Choppy said:
If you haven't already read it, ZapperZ's essay: So You Want to be a Physicist is a great place to start.
No I had not seen that, thank you for directing me there
 
Make sure you are strong on math. The better you are with math the easier a time you'll have in your classes. You probably haven't (and probably won't) cover calculus in high school, at least not much, but everything taught there will be an important foundation for later. Become especially familiar with trigonometry and vectors. That should leave you in a good spot for your first year.
 
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