How would you go about studying physics outside of university?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges of studying physics outside of a university setting. Participants explore various approaches to self-study, the implications of pursuing a physics career, and the difficulties faced in traditional academic environments.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a desire to pursue physics but struggle with the pace and format of university classes.
  • One participant suggests that if someone feels unprepared for university, they should identify and address their deficiencies before continuing.
  • Another participant questions the meaning of "pursuing physics," asking whether the goal is a professional career in the field or simply a personal interest in the subject.
  • There are suggestions to seek academic counseling or consider community college as an alternative to traditional university courses.
  • Some participants propose that if one dislikes the format of physics study, it may indicate a broader disinterest in formal physics education.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to studying physics outside of university. Multiple competing views remain regarding the necessity of formal education versus self-study and the importance of addressing personal challenges in learning.

Contextual Notes

Discussion includes varying assumptions about the prerequisites for studying physics effectively and the potential need for academic support. There is also uncertainty about the motivations for studying physics and how they influence the choice of study format.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering self-study in physics, those struggling with traditional academic formats, and anyone interested in alternative pathways to learning physics may find this discussion relevant.

Jaccobtw
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I think I want to pursue physics, but I can't seem to keep up with the pace of a university class. I also don't like the format. How would you go about doing this?
 
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If my goal was to become a physicist then I would say that I am not good enough for the profession. As for not liking the format then that's my problem. Now If I could not live with that prospect I might look a little deeper into my problems to see why I cannot keep up. If it is because I was not as prepared as I should have been then remedying the deficiencies would be my goal and then give it a go. I would suck up the issue with the format for if that's what it takes then that is what I will do.

How bad do you want it?
 
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Jaccobtw said:
I think I want to pursue physics, but I can't seem to keep up with the pace of a university class.
What do you mean by "pursue phyiscs"? Do you want to eventually work in a physics-related professional job? Or are you just interested in the knowledge that studying physics brings?

If you want to work in the field, you will need some level of school degree in physics. You will not earn that by studying physics on your own. If your goal is to work in physics, I agree with @gleem that you should figure out what is blocking you from doing better at university, and work on fixing those issues.

If you are at university now, do they offer academic counseling? If so, that can be a very helpful way to get started in figuring out what to change/improve going forward. If you have an academic advisor, he/she can also be a helpful resource for this process.
 
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Jaccobtw said:
I think I want to pursue physics, but I can't seem to keep up with the pace of a university class. I also don't like the format. How would you go about doing this?
?
Try studying at a community college? Decide if you like or do not like the "format" of Physics study. If you really do not like the format, then maybe you do not like the formal study of Physics. How would you prefer each course to be formatted?
 

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