Schools Tips and advice for a young college student majoring in (astro)physics?

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Starting a physics degree can be daunting, but there are effective ways to prepare. Key topics to focus on include mechanics, rotation, gravitation, harmonic motion, waves, fluids, and elementary thermodynamics. Utilizing online resources, particularly MIT's open courseware, can provide valuable insights into these subjects. Reviewing syllabi from various courses can also help familiarize oneself with the curriculum. Additionally, joining the American Physical Society (APS) is recommended, as it offers free access to research papers and resources, particularly beneficial for those interested in astrophysics. Networking through platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn can also enhance connections within the physics community.
salsalover12
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Hello, I'm majoring in physics and I'm starting my first physics course next semester. I'm pretty scared and I don't know what to expect. So I just wanted to know what I can start working on and what should I expect.
 
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I would say mechanics (motion and energy), rotation, gravitation, harmonic motion, waves, fluids and elementary thermodynamics.
 
There are tons of open courseware videos and online resources you can use to preview what you'll likely be studying. MIT has the best selection, IMO: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/ Even just reading a few syllabi should give you a good idea of things you might want to look into before the class starts.

Also, I would suggest signing up for APS. The first year (or maybe more, I don't remember) is free for undergrad students. It gives you access to full papers and you can choose sections on astrophysics, where you can find all kinds of cool resources that will keep you up to date on what's going on in the physics/astronomy community.

I'm also starting my physics degree this fall and plan on grad school for astrophysics. :) Good luck! (If you have FB or LinkedIn and want to network, let me know!)
 
I graduated with a BSc in Physics in 2020. Since there were limited opportunities in my country (mostly teaching), I decided to improve my programming skills and began working in IT, first as a software engineer and later as a quality assurance engineer, where I’ve now spent about 3 years. While this career path has provided financial stability, I’ve realized that my excitement and passion aren’t really there, unlike what I felt when studying or doing research in physics. Working in IT...
Hello, I’m an undergraduate student pursuing degrees in both computer science and physics. I was wondering if anyone here has graduated with these degrees and applied to a physics graduate program. I’m curious about how graduate programs evaluated your applications. In addition, if I’m interested in doing research in quantum fields related to materials or computational physics, what kinds of undergraduate research experiences would be most valuable?
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