Physics Grad School - Am I ready?

[ParticleGinger6]

Hello,

First I would like to say thank you to anyone who contributes to this feed.

I recently received an offer from a Graduate School for a Masters in Physics. I am very excited to continue my education, however, I am not sure if I am ready.

I am wondering if anyone would like to share their experience in grad school. For instance, what were the classes like? How hands on are the professors? etc...

My professors in undergrad believe I am ready but I have a sinking feeling that maybe I am not ready or maybe I won't be able to succeed. Is this feeling normal or not?

Again thank you for any response you have.

 

[jedishrfu]

The feeling is normal. School is tough in undergrad and in grad school. The difference is that undergrad school often reteaches some topics realizing that some students haven't been exposed to them yet. In grad school, they assume you can fill in your deficiencies while you're taking the course.

If your profs believe you are ready then you are ready and should go for it. Be aware that you will be with a higher class of students and you will have to work harder to fill in those gaps in your education. Its also good to network some and gain friends to collaborate with to get over the tough times and hard problems. Many MS programs will require you to do a Masters project however some schools instead will suggest you take additional advanced level courses.

There are even greater expectations on PhD grad students as you will have to take some courses and pass a qualifying exam before you can even start doing research. The qualifying exam comes into play after 1 to 2 years into your studies and looms large in your mind as a hurdle to jump.

 

[gleem]

“Our doubts are traitors,
and make us lose the good we oft might win,
by fearing to attempt.”
― William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure

Listen to your profs.

 

[ParticleGinger6]

Thank you both @gleem and @jedishrfu for your advice and words. I have also been talking to friends who have been to grad school as well and I think that I am feeling more prepared. I still will need to improve on some aspects of myself but I am looking forward to the growth opportunity.

 

[Vanadium 50]

It is certainly normal to be nervous about starting an activity you haven't before (and one where half the people do not complete). However, in the past you mentioned a low GPA. Do you understand why your GPA was low, and more importantly, why you will do better with more difficult classes? I think you need a plan (and maybe you're already executing it), as grad school is less forgiving of grades than undergrad.

 

[CalcNerd]

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.” Henry Ford
One of Henry Ford's more brilliant moments

 

[MathematicalPhysicist]

It's All or Nothing... as always.


I once got on a bus and I had seen someone with the shirt "Nothing".
Quite depressing living the rest of your life with this shirt and attitude.

 

[ParticleGinger6]

@Vanadium 50

I know this may sound a little crazy but I think Covid matured me a lot, my 3 best semesters have been the spring of 2020 when we went online to the one I am currently in. I have learned not to wait to do assignments until the day before which leaves me room to ask questions to my professors if I do not understand the work. I have got myself into a routine to encourage myself to also start taking care of my mental and physical health as well. For instance, I no longer hop onto my game system whenever I have work to do in my free time, I only allow myself time to game when I have completed all of my work.

I know it probably is not because of Covid that I matured but it almost seems like it sometimes.

I do understand why my GPA was lower in the past, I had developed horrible study habbits in high school (better to say lack of study habbits) it took me a few semesters to get rid of those habbits and then a few more to correct myself to have study habbits that work for me. In my university (small sample size) I went from being around the lower middle of the class on test and assignments to matching or getting better grades than the rest of my peers.

 

[PeroK]

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.” Henry Ford
One of Henry Ford's more brilliant moments

As pure an example of survivor bias as one could ever find.