- #1
Starlit_day
- 10
- 0
Hello everyone,
Long long ago, I thought of being a physics major. When I came into into college, I had no experience with physics, problem sets, mathematics higher than trigonometry(very little trig), or much science(my school didn't really offer good science classes). I discovered physics through a chemistry class I took in high school, and it was love at first sight. I was astounded by the idea that mathematics was actually something that affected my reality. It has real consequences, and that's what scientist discover each day.
At any rate, I decided I wanted to study physics.
Well, that went interestingly enough.
I met with my professors in the beginning, and informed them about my lack of exposure to and experience with math and my zero exposure to physics (in a form of a physics class). They assured me that a physics major was well within my grasp, and that I merely need to take calculus 1 (which I tested into) along side Physics 101.
They however, didn't of the severity of the gap between the time that material was covered in the calculus classes and the time it was covered in the physics classes.
I.e.: Week two physics: definite and Indefinate integrals. Week two Calculus: taking the derivative of a polynomial function >_>...
So, I did poorly my first year as a result of such things, and I honestly had no idea of how to study properly:
example: "What, you review your notes??!??! Why would I do that? I went to lecture didn't I?" or "Why would I have started this problem set on Friday? It's Sunday- the problem set is due Tuesday- I'll start tomorrow. Besides, I have XYZ due tomorrow, I'll do that instead!"
That was my poor twisted logic.
Of course everything seems ridiculous in hindsight. Anyway, my 3rd semester rolls around, and I'm determined to finally do well in my next physics coarse. It's E&M. Well, they start doing partial derivatives and surface integrals the second week of classes, and we are learning the dot product in my Multivariable Calc. class. Same problems. Top it all off with the fact that I was taking an extra class that semester.
Well, it culminates in a very spectacular crash and burn- I end up dropping out of that class, completely devistated.
I change my major and decide to pursue another science.
A semester after that feeling of doubt start to accumulate. Now, I;m going to become a junior, I'm on track for a totally different major, I've talked to the academic advisors that were assigned to me and I'm too late to switch back, and now I know that I'd rather be studying physics, in particular nuclear physics.
During this entire time the awfulness of all of this was compacted by the fact that:
I am a horrendously shy person that felt extremely uncomfortable asking my professors and overly-qualified classmates for help (something I have/am worked/ing hard at over coming every day) and the fact that my skill level and the level of the classes was grossly overestimated, AND I had no real idea of what studying was like because I had never been properly guided/helped with that- I mean to say I had never really taken challenging classes before so I was severely underserved in that respect.
Not to mention the lovely cocktail of insecurity/confusion/bamboozlement that comes with anyone entering college.
OKAY, so the point in all of that was:
I am a pretty determined person- one of my few redeeming qualities, and because of that, I know that I still want to continue with and pursue physics.
I believe I want to get a degree;however, I'm not really in a position to do that, right now.
I was wondering what everyone thought was would be the best way to continue physics would be. I need, for a variety of reasons, to continue with my current degree. I was wondering if it would be best for me to re-apply to another college after I finish with this degree at another school, OR to go to graduate school and then just take enough physics classes to then take it in graduate school. I honestly don't know much about graduate schools- any help, any CONSTRUCTIVE advice would be greatly appreciated. I realize that the post is long, but I wanted to give sufficient background to the problem. Thoughtful responses would be greatly appreciated. Anyone with advice/ similar stories feel free to share.
Long long ago, I thought of being a physics major. When I came into into college, I had no experience with physics, problem sets, mathematics higher than trigonometry(very little trig), or much science(my school didn't really offer good science classes). I discovered physics through a chemistry class I took in high school, and it was love at first sight. I was astounded by the idea that mathematics was actually something that affected my reality. It has real consequences, and that's what scientist discover each day.
At any rate, I decided I wanted to study physics.
Well, that went interestingly enough.
I met with my professors in the beginning, and informed them about my lack of exposure to and experience with math and my zero exposure to physics (in a form of a physics class). They assured me that a physics major was well within my grasp, and that I merely need to take calculus 1 (which I tested into) along side Physics 101.
They however, didn't of the severity of the gap between the time that material was covered in the calculus classes and the time it was covered in the physics classes.
I.e.: Week two physics: definite and Indefinate integrals. Week two Calculus: taking the derivative of a polynomial function >_>...
So, I did poorly my first year as a result of such things, and I honestly had no idea of how to study properly:
example: "What, you review your notes??!??! Why would I do that? I went to lecture didn't I?" or "Why would I have started this problem set on Friday? It's Sunday- the problem set is due Tuesday- I'll start tomorrow. Besides, I have XYZ due tomorrow, I'll do that instead!"
That was my poor twisted logic.
Of course everything seems ridiculous in hindsight. Anyway, my 3rd semester rolls around, and I'm determined to finally do well in my next physics coarse. It's E&M. Well, they start doing partial derivatives and surface integrals the second week of classes, and we are learning the dot product in my Multivariable Calc. class. Same problems. Top it all off with the fact that I was taking an extra class that semester.
Well, it culminates in a very spectacular crash and burn- I end up dropping out of that class, completely devistated.
I change my major and decide to pursue another science.
A semester after that feeling of doubt start to accumulate. Now, I;m going to become a junior, I'm on track for a totally different major, I've talked to the academic advisors that were assigned to me and I'm too late to switch back, and now I know that I'd rather be studying physics, in particular nuclear physics.
During this entire time the awfulness of all of this was compacted by the fact that:
I am a horrendously shy person that felt extremely uncomfortable asking my professors and overly-qualified classmates for help (something I have/am worked/ing hard at over coming every day) and the fact that my skill level and the level of the classes was grossly overestimated, AND I had no real idea of what studying was like because I had never been properly guided/helped with that- I mean to say I had never really taken challenging classes before so I was severely underserved in that respect.
Not to mention the lovely cocktail of insecurity/confusion/bamboozlement that comes with anyone entering college.
OKAY, so the point in all of that was:
I am a pretty determined person- one of my few redeeming qualities, and because of that, I know that I still want to continue with and pursue physics.
I believe I want to get a degree;however, I'm not really in a position to do that, right now.
I was wondering what everyone thought was would be the best way to continue physics would be. I need, for a variety of reasons, to continue with my current degree. I was wondering if it would be best for me to re-apply to another college after I finish with this degree at another school, OR to go to graduate school and then just take enough physics classes to then take it in graduate school. I honestly don't know much about graduate schools- any help, any CONSTRUCTIVE advice would be greatly appreciated. I realize that the post is long, but I wanted to give sufficient background to the problem. Thoughtful responses would be greatly appreciated. Anyone with advice/ similar stories feel free to share.