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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.
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.