PF really can help you become a physicist

[G01]

My Story:

I started on this website as a high school senior who knew he was going to major in physics. It's funny looking back because, at the time, I had no idea what my undergraduate coursework in physics would involve. All I had was a vague interest in the subject thanks to my high school introductory class and some popular science books.

The past four years have flown by. As they ran their course I have studied topics that I did not even know existed 4 years ago! Every minute of it has been a blast. I'm about to graduate and head off to a PhD program in experimental condensed matter physics next fall at a tier 1 research university.

I want everyone browsing this forum reading this post to know that I could not have done it without this incredible extra credit project turned web phenomenon we call "Physics Forums." PF helped keep me ahead of the game. Reading posts here helped me learn what I would be learning in my next semester classes, keeping me ahead of the curve and helping make the classes more doable. Also, the homework help forums are a priceless resource for any science or math student.

PF was also an incredible resource when it came to the graduate school application process. At my small university the research opportunities were slim to none and the advising I got was not up to par. I learned about REU's on PF, helping make up for the lack of research at my school. I also learned about applying to grad school, what was required on the GRE's, and what schools I had a reasonable shot at. I could safely say that I would not have gotten any of this information were it not for PF. Unfortunately, actively teaching students about these critical matters falls by the wayside in my physics department.

I know I haven't been as active here of late. It's been a busy, stressful, yet exciting couple of months. I promise I'm still here, even though my posts have been less frequent. I hope to be around for many posts to come to help others as I have been helped.

Anyway, to all of you out there who are browsing this forum, wondering if it is really worth getting a membership to PF, my story is direct evidence that it is. If you are at any stage in your physics education, take my word for it, you should be a member of this website.

Thank you to everyone who makes this website possible. I honestly don't think I'd be in my current position without your help.

 

[Evo]

You are an exceptionally smart person G01 and you have also been a valuable asset to the forum in the Homework section.

Yes, the forum is a great resource for those that wish to learn. I hope that you will be around for a very long time.

 

[berkeman]

Awesome, G01. You did the work. The PF helped, but you did the work. Kudos.

Rock the world, son. And thanks for your help here on the PF.

 

[G01]

You are an exceptionally smart person G01 and you have also been a valuable asset to the forum in the Homework section.

Yes, the forum is a great resource for those that wish to learn. I hope that you will be around for a very long time.

Thanks Evo. Right back at you!

Awesome, G01. You did the work. The PF helped, but you did the work. Kudos.

Rock the world, son. And thanks for your help here on the PF.

Berkman and Evo:

Both of you guys are part of what makes this website great! Thanks.

 

[ZapperZ]

I take ALL of the credit for turning you onto condensed matter. That's my story and I'm sticking with it! :)

Congratulations on your success. But really, it was all your own effort. We simply told you what all the opportunities are that were available to you.

Zz.

 

[Kurdt]

Congratulations G01.

 

[hypatia]

There is no getting around the very hard work you have done. I also believe you are correct about PF, I can think of no place else to get the kind of feed back, that you can get here. Not just feed back, but the CORRECT type of feed back, that reinforce positive and realistic goals.

 

[Astronuc]

Congrats, G. That's great news!

PF is great resource, but it's up to the user as you've demonstrated.


Thanks for your contributions to PF.


You can name your first born - Zapper.

 

[quantumdude]

The next step for us is to become a degree granting institution. :D

 

[jtbell]

Do you really want us to have to go through those bleeping every-ten-year reaccreditation reviews?

 

[Astronuc]

Do you really want us to have to go through those bleeping every-ten-year reaccreditation reviews?

Well one could take sabbatical that year - in Tahiti. It's a great place to study wave mechanics and hydraulics.

 

[Moonbear]

Do you really want us to have to go through those bleeping every-ten-year reaccreditation reviews?

Only 10 years? Dang, I'm in the wrong field! Med and Dental schools go through it every 7 years...and not the same year for both either. Fortunately, the class I'm coordinating starting next year is part of the review going on this year. I just have to remember to hand it over to someone else in 6 years so they can do the 7th year review.

Anyway, congrats G01 on your acceptance to grad school! Woo hoo! It's great to hear of our "graduates."

 

[PRodQuanta]

This is my first post in a while... to say the least. I joined PF about 6 years ago, and initially tried posting as many times as possible. However, I just came across this post through an email and was astonished on how similar G01s story and feelings are to mine. I was a sophomore in hs when I joined. I now (in my 3rd year of college as a physics major) visit the site frequently to read interesting posts on new physics, physics related to my classes, research opportunities, and general school and career advice. I also just want to say thank you for all that PF has done for me. I know most of you except for a few of the early members don't know who I am, but it doesn't really matter.

Cheers,
Paden Roder

 

[chroot]

Thanks for all the kind words, everyone. I'm happy to hear PF has had such a positive influence on so many people, and hope the ball keeps rolling and touches even more lives in the future. Congrats to you, G01 and PRodQuanta, and good luck in your careers!

- Warren

 

[iamsource]

Congratulations G01!

I am new here. I don't even presume to know anything significant about physics. Most of my studies throughout my life have been psychology (esoteric and mundane), meta-physics, ontology, theology, artificial intelligence, computer science, some business, advertising, and finance, and now I want to add physics. I will be going back to school within the next year to complete my computer science degree. With the little I have read many years ago on Fred Allen Wolf, and Steven Hawking, I will be pretty much a newbie on the topic. My apologetics are: I beg the forgiveness of any I offend with my ignorance of the subject matter.

Go getem tiger!

Darin

 

[meteor9]

Congrats G01 for your success and thank you for this thread , I always liked this forum and all its various topics which made my life richer .

 

[Sorry!]

you know the other day i was on this website reading through the posts and it came into my mind when i saw the homework section... i just wondered if anyone who came here in high school to get help etc and now they have completed university and are still around... that's pretty awesome i think

congratz styll :D

 

[Varadha]

Great work GO1..Keep this rocking..

 

[Jatsui]

It is a great story - Welldone G01! Wish you luck in your PhD! Remember, there maybe times when you feel down during your PhD (maybe not), but if you do, cheer up during these times, take a break, finally believe that you have what it takes ! Clearly you have demonstrated it already.

Hardwork always pays off ! all the best...

 

[Xezlec]

Been a long while since I posted here (been busy), but I got an email that said I should check out this thread :-)

That does sound pretty awesome. I've been weighing using the cash I've saved up to go to school some more without having to work at the same time. One of the possible life choices I see in front of me is going for a physics PhD or something.

It's nice to come back to a forum like this... the other place I've spent a lot of time, metafilter, has a pronounced anti-geek sentiment. Kind of weirds me out that some otherwise very open-minded people just cannot accept that some people's interests won't lie in the arts and humanities. I should really get back in the habit of coming here. And if you're reading this because of that email we all got, then maybe you should too.

 

[madmike159]

Congratulations, I wish you luck with the PhD. I found this website by accident one day, but it turned out to be very very helpful. I will be starting my electronic engineering degree in October. So no doubt PF will help me with that.

 

[sniper11]

congrats G01!

PF is like Wikipedia. The info is here, it's up to you to take advantage of it!

 

[bbarrett]

I have not posted anything in a very long time, but have been reading and "absorbing" all the information on this site, and it always makes me ponder how magnificent the human mind is and what it can achieve once we set it into motion, don't let anything stop you from achieving your goals!

 

[Astronuc]

I have not posted anything in a very long time, but have been reading and "absorbing" all the information on this site, and it always makes me ponder how magnificent the human mind is and what it can achieve once we set it into motion, don't let anything stop you from achieving your goals!

PF is a collective and cooperative effort, a composite of many individual efforts. One can draw inspiration and hopefully give inspiration to others.

 

[chaoseverlasting]

Congratulations G01. Good luck ahead. Hope it works out for you. PF truly is a great community. I am not so active now, but when I really needed PF during the time I was preparing for all the engineering enterance examinations I realized it was a treasure trove of resources and knowledge and most of all these brilliant brilliant people who were willing to go out of their way and help me out with the concepts I was facing problems in. I tried to give back at least as much as I got, but I'll always be indebted to this unbelievably amazing community. My heartfelt thanks to all the members who make PF what it is. Thank you. You have truly made a difference in my life.

 

[titiko]

im just new in this forum, so i stil couldn't find the benefit with join this forum, would u like to tell me the benefit one?

 

[Evo]

im just new in this forum, so i stil couldn't find the benefit with join this forum, would u like to tell me the benefit one?

Benefit? Do you wish to learn new things? Can you use help with school work? Are you looking to meet people that can advance your career? Need to expand your social network in order to succeed in school or find a job after school?

 

[Redbelly98]

im just new in this forum, so i stil couldn't find the benefit with join this forum, would u like to tell me the benefit one?

Try browsing around the forum, and see if anything interests you. Since we don't know what interests you, we can't say if you will benefit. Everybody has to figure that out on their own.

For people who do benefit from Physics Forums, it's for the reasons that Evo said.

 

[Cincinnatus]

I'll add to this one:

I also started reading physics forums very close to when it started (version 1) while I was in high school. I was a lurker for years before I created an account. I am now a PhD student at a top 5 university.

I've learned a lot from many members here. Especially mathwonk's posts have been influential for me...

 

[tormund]

congrats G01!

PF is like Wikipedia. The info is here, it's up to you to take advantage of it!

yeah, but half o wiki isn't even true, just people tryin to be funny

 

[Moonbear]

yeah, but half o wiki isn't even true, just people tryin to be funny

Yep, that's what we have GD for. At least we put all the junk in one place so you know to take it with a grain of salt.

 

[ks_physicist]

I do wish something like this had existed...or, if it did, that I had known about it...when I was an undergrad. There was too much noise on newsgroups, and the specialist newsgroups were too high level for an early undergrad.

A forum like this would very likely have helped me to find direction and connect with people who share my interests.

 

[G01]

Thanks for all the responses guys!