How do you reconcile performance and curiosity?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the tension between pursuing personal curiosity in physics and the pressures of academic performance and career aspirations. Participants reflect on their experiences and feelings regarding this conflict, particularly in the context of higher education and research.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a shift from curiosity-driven learning to a focus on grades and publications, questioning if this change is normal and seeking others' experiences.
  • Another participant suggests that adapting to social expectations is a natural human behavior, referencing a quote about following personal desires after gathering advice.
  • A different viewpoint emphasizes the importance of balancing passion with practical considerations, such as financial stability, while pursuing one's interests in physics.
  • One participant echoes the sentiment that experiencing such conflicts is common and encourages using it as motivation rather than viewing it as a problem.
  • A first-year undergraduate shares a quote from Einstein, highlighting the joy of scientific inquiry when financial pressures are absent, suggesting that earning a living may detract from the enjoyment of science.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the conflict between curiosity and performance is a common experience, but they offer differing perspectives on how to navigate this tension and the implications of pursuing passion versus practicality.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference personal experiences and philosophical quotes, indicating a range of assumptions about the relationship between academic success and personal fulfillment in scientific pursuits.

Phys12
Messages
351
Reaction score
42
Hello everyone!

I originally decided to be a physicist when I took an online course in Astronomy which talked about the greatest unsolved mysteries of the universe. After coming to university and conducting research in Particle Physics, I think I like it better and would pursue it instead.

However, I think I'm noticing a change in my outlook and my goals for the future. I, initially, took courses online just because I wanted to learn more about how our universe worked and pure curiosity. But after going through the process of applying for colleges and being in the university for a couple of years, I think I've deviated from that initial passion and being driven instead by getting good grades, publishing more papers so I can get into a good grad school.

While I don't think that there's anything wrong with wanting to go to a good school or getting good grades, I feel like it would be better, in the long run, to want to continue doing Physics, not to be a professor at a top university or "be a good physicist," but wanting to explore Physics just for the heck of it and because I love it. Does that make sense? Let me know if I need to elaborate further.

My question: is this normal? Did any of y'all feel this way before? How did you respond to it?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
You are just picking up what your social environment is, part of being Human.
There is an old quote; "Get all the advice you can, then do as you damn please." Something to consider.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Bandersnatch, Phys12 and russ_watters
It is perfectly normal to wish to pursue what you enjoy. However, unless you are independently wealthy like Prince Louis de Broglie, you should consider what course of action will put food on the table and balance one against the other.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Phys12, russ_watters and symbolipoint
Tom.G said:
You are just picking up what your social environment is, part of being Human.
There is an old quote; "Get all the advice you can, then do as you damn please." Something to consider.
I like this advice the best, I think I'll go and do as I damn please now.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Tom.G
Phys12 said:
My question: is this normal? Did any of y'all feel this way before? How did you respond to it?
I think this kind of conflict is perfectly normal. I too had such period, when reality came knocking on the door. Just take this conflict as fuel instead of trouble.
 
I'm a first year undergraduate so I can't really asnwer your question, I'd just share one of my favorite quotes from Einstein:

Science is a wonderful thing if one does not have to earn a living at
it. One should earn one’s living by work of which one is sure one is
capable. Only when we do not have to be accountable to anyone can we
find joy in scientific endeavor.
 

Similar threads

Finding Meaningful Work: Career Advice for Young Scientists
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
COVID How has COVID affected your school?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Deciding between Physics or Engineering after a very turbulent year
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
How to switch from engineering with unknown undergrad name to Physics?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
Is zero of nothing nothing? If so, would you write units for nothing?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Need some advice on my future career
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
711
My Grade 11 Math mark is eating me alive. What do I do?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
83K
Other How much does GPA and Prestigious school indicate success?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Other How can I fill course requirements for Physics Master's program?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Considering Switching from Physics to Computer Engineering
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K