Physics makes me feel really worthless

[Pipsqueakalchemist]

Like if you have a 50 in one class it’s a pass, but if you have less than a 60 average overall with all of you’re classes combine than it’s probation. I think the second condition is only for certain majors like stem

 

[Pipsqueakalchemist]

Gonna be completely honest, I’m not sure why but I really can’t seem to put in the effort in dynamics right now. Every time I try I just get frustrated and just go do something else like play video games or go on my phone. Ik terrible altitude but it just seem so much easier and almost comforting to just wallow in self misery and jus self pity. I really do envy people who have more natural talent than me and are naturally smarter, must be nice. I guess I’m just super childish and just being extra for no reason.

 

[symbolipoint]

Is that 50, for 50% score overall in the course? Not passing no matter where you are. If this is an important class or one you need for your degree, you need to repeat it. Next time through, you should do better in the course.

Ummmm a 50 has always been a pass where I grew up. An overall gpa of 60 is out of probation but an 50 in a course is a pass.

Those numbers do not seem to line up. You pass with a fifty-percent, but if you do pass, then you're still on academic probation?

We who may live in a different territory possibly do not understand those numbers meanings. The units are doubtfully in percentage.

 

[symbolipoint]

... I really do envy people who have more natural talent than me and are naturally smarter, must be nice. I guess I’m just super childish and just being extra for no reason.

What you may not yet know of some of those super smart talented students is, what kind of effort they have been giving to their academics; what kind of prior preparation they had before you met them; and maybe what kind of support they may receive from their family members.

 

[Zap]

Scoring 50 out of a total of 100 points is passing?

The system I'm familiar with says that 60-100 out of 100 is passing. Though, 60-69 out of 100 is not really passing in a lot of cases.

 

[Pipsqueakalchemist]

Scoring 50 out of a total of 100 points is passing?

The system I'm familiar with says that 60-100 out of 100 is passing. Though, 60-69 out of 100 is not really passing in a lot of cases.

Well regardless what system, I’m literally just scraping by. With any other class 2 hrs of work and I’d learn stuff. With this class I literally just spend 2 hrs just figuring out how to start it. Literally never felt so helpless in an class before. What’s the point of trying when I’m not going to get anything out of it?

 

[Jarvis323]

Nobody here has taken a class that was graded on a curve?

In my intro to circuits course, 40% (before the curve) was an A.

 

[symbolipoint]

The O.P. did not say how the grading was done and did not say exactly how his quoted number is related to other numbers in that score. This means, some viewers here wonder, and some assume one way or another.

Sometimes professors may grade on a curve or use some set of results tell him what the class'es average is and use the data from the class to find where he might like to assign for letter grades A, B, C, D, F.

Some academic institutions insist on a strict letter grade issuance according to 90 to 100% for A; 80 to 89% for B,... and like that. 60% or below is F.

 

[Sophrosyne]

Honestly right now I don’t really know how I feel about the stem field. I started out very motivated and proud that I was working toward something in stem. but now i feel just apathetic towards my degree. I don’t hate it but I also don’t love it like before. I don’t know if it’s because I’m struggling or maybe burnt out but I’m questioning my interest in the major and at times it makes me feel pretty bad.

There is a great business book I read once, called The Dip, which you may find interesting and is applicable to gaining technical expertise and mastery in any field, whether it’s physics, playing a particular sport or musical instrument, or doing surgery. It’s a short book and a nice read for someone in your situation:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1591841666/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Basically, it says that when we first start out in any worthwhile endeavor, we often find ourselves with “beginners luck”- we ride high and feel empowered. We are cheered and are encouraged by others.

However, then we hit “the dip”: The real hard work and nitty-gritty of actually gaining real proficiency and professional expertise in that field. It is always hard and painstaking, and this is where most people quit. They have a mindset that if it doesn’t come easily to them, then that must mean they are not talented at it. Not true. Most people have to work very hard to gain actual expertise in any worthwhile endeavor.

If you can ride it out and survive the dip, then you will emerge on the other side riding even higher as someone respected for having achieved expertise in something where few other people can.

 

[Pipsqueakalchemist]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1591841666/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Basically, it says that when we first start out in any worthwhile endeavor, we often find ourselves with “beginners luck”- we ride high and feel empowered. We are cheered and are encouraged by others.

However, then we hit “the dip”: The real hard work and nitty-gritty of actually gaining real proficiency and professional expertise in that field. It is always hard and painstaking, and this is where most people quit. They have a mindset that if it doesn’t come easily to them, then that must mean they are not talented at it. Not true. Most people have to work very hard to gain actual expertise in any worthwhile endeavor.

If you can ride it out and survive the dip, then you will emerge on the other side riding even higher as someone respected for having achieved expertise in something where few other people can.

Yea I heard about the dip before. It’s just for some reason the idea of studying and working seems so unappealing to me right now. I used to be a really hard working student but now I just don’t have any drive to work. I still want to stay in my major but my work ethic is just non existent at this point. I often think to my self that I wish everything would be easy for me and that I wouldn’t have to work to learn and contribute to science which I know isn’t realistic and a very dumb view but it’s how I kinda feel right now.

 

[Sophrosyne]

Yea I heard about the dip before. It’s just for some reason the idea of studying and working seems so unappealing to me right now. I used to be a really hard working student but now I just don’t have any drive to work. I still want to stay in my major but my work ethic is just non existent at this point. I often think to my self that I wish everything would be easy for me and that I wouldn’t have to work to learn and contribute to science which I know isn’t realistic and a very dumb view but it’s how I kinda feel right now.

That’s the dip.

It’s kinda like Navy Seals training. They put you through the most physically, emotionally, and mentally grueling exercises and situations. Many people do not have the stamina, fortitude, and mental toughness to make it, and drop out of the program. They figure out it’s just not worth it for them. It just becomes a question of how bad you want it.

 

[Twigg]

It’s just for some reason the idea of studying and working seems so unappealing to me right now. I used to be a really hard working student but now I just don’t have any drive to work. I still want to stay in my major but my work ethic is just non existent at this point.

Trust me, it's not just you. I had the same feelings in grad school after getting my butt handed to me by a toxic research group. Don't beat yourself up over it, and try to give yourself the opportunity to recover. It might take longer than you'd like. If you can, take it easier and/or fewer classes for a semester or two. If your circumstances allow it, taking an extra semester isn't the end of the world.

Also, not wanting to work hard isn't always a bad thing. There are a lot of people in STEM who don't value their labor highly enough, and throw away their hours cheaply just for competitiveness's sake. (Not judging anyone for doing so, and I certainly have been / will be guilty of doing exactly this.) There's something to be said for respecting the value of your labor. Now you know what your hours are worth to you

Make sure to take some time and enjoy your time off! Once COVID is under control in your area, maybe try and get together with friends. Taking care of yourself is priority #1!

 

[bob012345]

I assume the semester is over now. What eventually happened with you and the Dynamics course?