Struggling with University Studies: Finding Your Passion in Science

[Thomas Calverley]

Hi. I'm Tom.
I'm a second year Physics student at uni in England. All honesty, I'm regretting that choice, because being at uni has all but drained my passion for Physics -- I'm now just trying to persevere through my degree so I can get into a teaching course I've had my eye on for the last five years.
I've joined this because I came across a post which nailed a question I had needed answering, so I think this could be a could fallback when I'm stuck (because heaven knows my lecturers aren't)
I imagine this isn't the happy introduction you're used to, but... well... I don't really see a point in lying XD

 

[Wrichik Basu]

Hi. I'm Tom.
I'm a second year Physics student at uni in England. All honesty, I'm regretting that choice, because being at uni has all but drained my passion for Physics -- I'm now just trying to persevere through my degree so I can get into a teaching course I've had my eye on for the last five years.
I've joined this because I came across a post which nailed a question I had needed answering, so I think this could be a could fallback when I'm stuck (because heaven knows my lecturers aren't)
I imagine this isn't the happy introduction you're used to, but... well... I don't really see a point in lying XD

A warm welcome to PF, Thomas.

I am sorry to hear your state. Institutions which reduce a student's interest in a subject (whatever subject it may be), should be closed down as soon as possible. Professors which don't help students, should be suspended permanently. I have myself been subject to such nonsense in my school years, which generated quite a lot of frustration in my family. But somehow by God's grace, those days are now over.

We shall always help you in all your questions. In order to help you start, the following are the three main sections in PF. You should explore them well:

1. The main forums, that you see in the first page.

2. Insights Blog, available at the top row (header section). In short, they have been described as "wonder of the web". The blog contains articles that help in learning topics to a great extent.

3. The Videos, also available in the header section. The media gallery now has some great videos and lecture courses in almost every field in science, and they provide an audio-visual learning opportunity.

Enjoy your time here. Hope you regain your interest in physics. Don't be afraid to ask us for any help.

Also, just remember that for whom nobody is there by the side, God is aways there. Where there is a will, there is a way.

With regards,
Wrichik.

 

[Nugatory]

being at uni has all but drained my passion for Physics

How/why?

 

[Thomas Calverley]

How/why?

I would guess it's mainly because university studies simply don't suit me -- I excelled at sixth form, and I expected that trend to continue... not that I coasted or anything (I was working pretty much 9-6 every day) but I felt like that work was actually benefiting me, whereas at uni I finish what I'm doing feeling exactly as lost as I was when I started.

In reality I don't know what exactly is the problem, but I find myself so bored in lectures that I zone out and start working on my coding projects to stop from falling asleep

 

[Mark44]

I would guess it's mainly because university studies simply don't suit me -- I excelled at sixth form, and I expected that trend to continue... not that I coasted or anything (I was working pretty much 9-6 every day) but I felt like that work was actually benefiting me, whereas at uni I finish what I'm doing feeling exactly as lost as I was when I started.

In reality I don't know what exactly is the problem, but I find myself so bored in lectures that I zone out and start working on my coding projects to stop from falling asleep

I'm not sure that "bored" is the right word. In the first paragraph it sounds like you aren't understanding what is being presented, maybe "I find myself so lost in lectures that I zone out ..." is a better description.

Certainly not being able to understand what is being presented makes it difficult to follow. What can you do to catch up so that you're able to understand the material being presented? What extra help can you get outside of class?

Another thought is that maybe physics isn't the right direction, but perhaps changing to computer science might be a better choice, since you seem to find that more interesting.