Programs Is physics the right major for my academic passions and interests?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on a sophomore student at a large U.S. university contemplating a transfer and a choice between majoring in physics or engineering. The student expresses a strong passion for astronomy and Earth sciences but is concerned about the challenges of a physics major, particularly its focus on electricity and other areas that may not align with their interests. While the student finds math and science classes engaging, they feel less enthusiastic about engineering courses like applied mechanics and thermodynamics. The conversation highlights the importance of enjoying all aspects of a chosen field, particularly in physics, where success often requires a broad appreciation for various topics. The consensus suggests that a genuine interest in the entire discipline is crucial for thriving in physics, indicating that the student should carefully consider their motivations and interests before making a decision.
brymcfly21
Messages
26
Reaction score
3
Hello everyone,
I am currently a sophomore at a big university in the US and I might transfer to another university soon. I have been conflicted with choosing between physics and engineering for the past 2 years. I love astronomy and is the only academic passion I have besides Earth science and the environment. But I fear a physics major will be too hard for me to understand and also it deal with a lot of electricity and such which idk if I’m fully interested in as I just want to learn about space and planets and such.
Looking ahead at the engineering curriculums, the courses do not intrigue me at all. My applied mechanics class seem a bit boring to me however my chemistry 2 and multivariable calculus class and thermodynamics class are interesting. My grades so far have been
Calc 1 A
Chem 1 A-
Physics 1 Mechanics B+
Physics 2 EM B
Calc 2 A-

I currently enjoy my math and science classes way more than the applied mechanics and thermodynamics classes I am taking . I also like the idea of learning interesting an abstract ideas that comes with a major and do not enjoy the cut and dry that comes with engineering.
Do you think physics is right for me?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It's nearly impossible to tell if a physics major it the right fit for someone based on a single post.

One thing I would say though is that it does strike me as a flag against going into physics when people start wanting to avoid certain branches of it. In my experience the most successful physics students are that ones that seem to enjoy (or at least tolerate) just about all of it. They cone down into a specialized area not because that's the only area that interests them, but because the have to.
 
Choppy said:
It's nearly impossible to tell if a physics major it the right fit for someone based on a single post.

One thing I would say though is that it does strike me as a flag against going into physics when people start wanting to avoid certain branches of it. In my experience the most successful physics students are that ones that seem to enjoy (or at least tolerate) just about all of it. They cone down into a specialized area not because that's the only area that interests them, but because the have to.

Thank you for your reply Choppy, and you’re right, physics should be something I like inside and out if I truly wanted to pursue it
 
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...

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
1K
Replies
40
Views
5K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
3K
Back
Top