Should I Consider Teaching Physics? Advice from Anton Mekhael

[antonmek]

I am afraid of losing interest in something that is competitive and hard to study for. Physics for example..my best friend elaborated on that subject and told me look into it. I read a few pages here and there and it wasn't bad. Watching videos was even more interesting...my friend than noticed that physics interested me.

I thought to myself physics can't be that fundamental. studying equations and formulas to figure out the world around you is something that i might not be up for. It's challenging but what if i lose interest when it comes down to serious studying. This is a time of my college when i am supposed to choose a major so i can continue to study and obtain a bachelors.

I always thought to myself ill be happy as a teacher. Because i like jobs where i can constantly interact with other beings around me. I looked at physics from my prespective and thought to myself that i might be sitting behind a desk trying to figure out something that i might not be able to figure out. Even worse i might be trying to figure out something that would eventually bore me to death. This is when i decided to choose education as my major so i would not get bored and at least by teaching i can still alter people's lives just like physics majors. I choose science/math education so far, to be able to find a job fast.

Here is the question...should i consider teaching physics?...what's behind the study for physics in college? how hard is it? will physics make me like math?...thx for any extra advice

all help appreciated,

you fellow human being, Anton Mekhael =)

 

[symbolipoint]

College major programs have general education requirements, so you must study a variety of subjects, not just Physics. Those other subjects and courses can help you learn what may be of greatest interest to you.

Physics IS FUNDAMENTAL. It is much more than just studying equations. You will often find how well so much of Mathematics you study can be applied to the universe both on the very small scale, on the medium scale, and on the very large scale.

You are not ready to abandon Physics, but you may speculate favorably about how you might do well in Physics. Just understand that Physics and Mathematics require a large effort; you just need to put in this effort and adapt. In case you finally decide Physics major is not for you, maybe there will be some other natural science of technological field that you want as your major field.

 

[Shackleford]

Physics is the fundamental science. It can describe virtually all phenomena.

 

[Phyisab****]

Physics is hard. If you are worried that you will lose interest and that will cause you to be unable to continue, I would not pursue physics. Studying physics (for me) is fun 10-20% of the time. The rest is not fun, you need to push yourself hard and motivate yourself when you would rather be doing anything else.

As far as doing research, I'm often puzzled by people here who say they find everything boring which is not exactly the field they are interested in. For me, the same things which would make it desirable to work on a problem, make that problem interesting to me. When I have a real problem to work on, I attack it obsessively. So it's not really a concern to me that I will be hired to work on a "boring" problem.

 

[Matrix0]

I can understand your concerns about choosing a major and career path. Physics can definitely be a challenging subject to study, but it is also incredibly rewarding. It is a fundamental science that helps us understand the world around us, and it has countless practical applications in fields such as engineering, medicine, and technology.

In terms of the difficulty of studying physics, I won't sugarcoat it - it can be a tough subject. It requires a lot of critical thinking, problem-solving, and mathematical skills. However, with dedication and hard work, it is definitely possible to excel in this field. Plus, studying physics can also make you appreciate and enjoy math more, as the two subjects are closely related.

As for your fear of losing interest in physics, I would suggest delving deeper into the subject and exploring different areas of physics to see what interests you the most. There are many subfields within physics, such as astrophysics, quantum mechanics, and biophysics, so there is something for everyone. Additionally, teaching physics can be a great way to constantly engage with the subject and inspire others to learn about it as well.

Ultimately, it is important to choose a major and career path that you are passionate about and will make you happy. If teaching and interacting with others is something that brings you joy, then pursuing a career in physics education could be a great choice for you. Just remember that it is never too late to change your major or career path if you find that your interests and passions lie elsewhere.

I wish you all the best in your academic and career journey, Anton. And remember, as a fellow human being, I am always here to offer any additional advice or support.