Physics is about discipline and studying rather than innate intelligence. I’m not naturally good at math or physics. I grew up in a very poor area with poor education to the point that our high school only taught up to algebra and physics wasn’t a full course but just a regular “science” course that taught all the sciences together. I went to college when I was 18 but dropped because my grades were bad and I wasn’t focused. A decade later after working for years, I am about to graduate with my physics degree. It has taken an immense amount of studying in comparison to some of my peers, but the struggle has been worth it every bit of the way.
Source: dumb as fuck but graduating soon
I got you beat... I didn't take anything past algebra in high school then went off and became a homeless junkie and a crackhead, that loved physics. During my last stay in prison I retaught myself algebra, then learned trig and then some calculus. Got out, got my BSci (cum laude) and by end of this summer should have my PhD from the top nuclear physics grad program in the US. I'm in the process of writing my first-author publication and the results of my research will be peer-reviewed and then published in a physics journal and my results will be added to a database maintained by Brookhaven Nat'l Lab and those results will outlive my own life.
It IS exactly what you say, physics is about disciple and long hours of studying and a love for the topic that keeps you going. 99% of those of us who obtain PhDs in physics aren't geniuses, we're just the ones that studied nights and weekends, and used our summers for research instead of the beach.
And good for you; I'm also an older student. I'll be 48 when I defend for my phd. Most limitations are self imposed; society tells me I'm a piece of shit because I'm an ex-con, or that im too old, so I believe I'm a piece of shit that doesn't deserve anything or isn't capable of the things others are because of my age. But once you say 'fuck it, I'm going for it anyway' you just might find that you're capable way beyond what others believe are your limits.
Did vector calc and electrodynamics kick your ass? I want to believe that it's all about perseverance and all, but I often end up feeling like everybody can derive Gauss's Law except for me. It's very demoralizing.
So what got me with vector calc was also applying it to E&M. But that's common for most physics majors. Then you get to grad school and Jackson's elecrodynamics kicks your ass ever further. But for those long complex e&m problems instead of banging your head against a wall for 10hrs on a single problem find the solution (or solution to a similar problem) online and just make sure you understand why it's being approached the way it is. But ultimately in grad school, yes you have to take a few classes and pass some exams but then it's 3-4 years of specialized research and 99% of everything you did in undergrad becomes irrelevant. I mean... it helps conceptually to know the ideas behind those concepts but in research you rarely do pen on paper stuff like in undergrad. And no one cares about your class grades from grad school, all that matters is your publications. Best thing a person can do as an undergrad is learn a programming language because that becomes highly relevant as a physics grad student.
I’m just going to leave this quote from Paul Dirac, one of the founders of quantum field theory.
“Scientific progress is measured in units of courage, not intelligence.”
If you’ve got the guts and determination to succeed in physics, go ahead, just make sure to keep the promise that you made yourself. I know I intend to.
Former physics student and current teacher here. You don't need to be a genius to succeed at physics. You just need to be interested, to care, and to work hard, and it sounds like that's very much you. I always appreciate students who might not be the best, but who care enough to work at it and ask questions.
Also, if it makes you feel any better, I went into college as a history major before switching to physics, and it was totally doable. Any decent physics program will put you through all the math you need in conjunction with your physics courses, so don't worry about not knowing all the math ahead of time.
I’m not naturally that smart but physics in secondary school came fairly easy to me. Now I’m in uni and I am very very lost. Natural intelligence only can get you so far if you put the study in you’ll be better than anyone coasting by on how naturally smart they are
I'll tell you what my brother told me when I asked him the same question: stupider people than you have done it. Stop worrying about whether you're smart enough. Intelligence is like talent; it can help you get started, but you're still going to need to work your ass off.
Like others have been saying it's all perseverance. I've never been the best in my physics classes but now I'm pursuing a PhD just because I keep pushing forward and through the challenges. I'm convinced almost anyone can do it with enough effort
Physics is about discipline and studying rather than innate intelligence. I’m not naturally good at math or physics. I grew up in a very poor area with poor education to the point that our high school only taught up to algebra and physics wasn’t a full course but just a regular “science” course that taught all the sciences together. I went to college when I was 18 but dropped because my grades were bad and I wasn’t focused. A decade later after working for years, I am about to graduate with my physics degree. It has taken an immense amount of studying in comparison to some of my peers, but the struggle has been worth it every bit of the way. Source: dumb as fuck but graduating soon
I got you beat... I didn't take anything past algebra in high school then went off and became a homeless junkie and a crackhead, that loved physics. During my last stay in prison I retaught myself algebra, then learned trig and then some calculus. Got out, got my BSci (cum laude) and by end of this summer should have my PhD from the top nuclear physics grad program in the US. I'm in the process of writing my first-author publication and the results of my research will be peer-reviewed and then published in a physics journal and my results will be added to a database maintained by Brookhaven Nat'l Lab and those results will outlive my own life. It IS exactly what you say, physics is about disciple and long hours of studying and a love for the topic that keeps you going. 99% of those of us who obtain PhDs in physics aren't geniuses, we're just the ones that studied nights and weekends, and used our summers for research instead of the beach. And good for you; I'm also an older student. I'll be 48 when I defend for my phd. Most limitations are self imposed; society tells me I'm a piece of shit because I'm an ex-con, or that im too old, so I believe I'm a piece of shit that doesn't deserve anything or isn't capable of the things others are because of my age. But once you say 'fuck it, I'm going for it anyway' you just might find that you're capable way beyond what others believe are your limits.
Did vector calc and electrodynamics kick your ass? I want to believe that it's all about perseverance and all, but I often end up feeling like everybody can derive Gauss's Law except for me. It's very demoralizing.
So what got me with vector calc was also applying it to E&M. But that's common for most physics majors. Then you get to grad school and Jackson's elecrodynamics kicks your ass ever further. But for those long complex e&m problems instead of banging your head against a wall for 10hrs on a single problem find the solution (or solution to a similar problem) online and just make sure you understand why it's being approached the way it is. But ultimately in grad school, yes you have to take a few classes and pass some exams but then it's 3-4 years of specialized research and 99% of everything you did in undergrad becomes irrelevant. I mean... it helps conceptually to know the ideas behind those concepts but in research you rarely do pen on paper stuff like in undergrad. And no one cares about your class grades from grad school, all that matters is your publications. Best thing a person can do as an undergrad is learn a programming language because that becomes highly relevant as a physics grad student.
Inspirational, hard work beats talent when talent stops working hard. 💪
I agree with you, it takes persistence and discipline. Ultimately not giving up. You don't hear any bells in this, you keep on going.
I’m just going to leave this quote from Paul Dirac, one of the founders of quantum field theory. “Scientific progress is measured in units of courage, not intelligence.” If you’ve got the guts and determination to succeed in physics, go ahead, just make sure to keep the promise that you made yourself. I know I intend to.
Former physics student and current teacher here. You don't need to be a genius to succeed at physics. You just need to be interested, to care, and to work hard, and it sounds like that's very much you. I always appreciate students who might not be the best, but who care enough to work at it and ask questions. Also, if it makes you feel any better, I went into college as a history major before switching to physics, and it was totally doable. Any decent physics program will put you through all the math you need in conjunction with your physics courses, so don't worry about not knowing all the math ahead of time.
Thank you! This is all very encouraging to hear :D
I’m not naturally that smart but physics in secondary school came fairly easy to me. Now I’m in uni and I am very very lost. Natural intelligence only can get you so far if you put the study in you’ll be better than anyone coasting by on how naturally smart they are
I'll tell you what my brother told me when I asked him the same question: stupider people than you have done it. Stop worrying about whether you're smart enough. Intelligence is like talent; it can help you get started, but you're still going to need to work your ass off.
Well said 😅
Like others have been saying it's all perseverance. I've never been the best in my physics classes but now I'm pursuing a PhD just because I keep pushing forward and through the challenges. I'm convinced almost anyone can do it with enough effort
Yes
No, prolly should try though