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UraniumCatalys
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Disclaimer: ignore the word 'distinguished' in the title, what I mean is a person who is successful in their field of work.
The topic of this discussion is what it takes to be successful in the field of physics. More specifically, if you need to be born with a certain quality. For example, "a sense to math" (never FULLY understood that one), "Good with realistic subjects" (I don't live in the USA, in my country subjects are divided to humanian subjects [similar to Liberal Arts] and realistic subjects [scientific subjects]).
I like physics and the very nature of it, as of now I am in my final year of high school. I study something like "honor physics", a higher level physics, though, not university level. We studied electromagnetism, electricity, mechanics, optics and modern physics. Throughout my studies I've done well and my average is just shy of an A+. I don't understand theory immediately, maybe after I have read it again and have solved a couple of exercises. Some classmates in my group are nothing like that - They're sort of geniuses, so to speak, they understand the theory almost immediately and have no problem EXPLAINING it themselves, after maybe just one or two times of hearing the professor.
As I am thinking of studying higher-level physics in the university and perhaps getting a masters or a doctorate, I can't help but wonder if I "stand a chance". It sort of frustrates me that sometimes, although I do understand the subject in the end, I tend to not fully comprehend what is being taught, and others (I realize that envying them will do no good) catch on to it at the speed of light. I'm suppose to choose my major next year and I really haven't made up my mind yet. I don't think my love for the subject makes up for perhaps my lack of X (I have no idea what X is, that's what I'm asking here. or even if there is such a thing).What are your opinions on this subject? are physicists born with certain mental faculties that provide them with the ability to excel at their field?
The topic of this discussion is what it takes to be successful in the field of physics. More specifically, if you need to be born with a certain quality. For example, "a sense to math" (never FULLY understood that one), "Good with realistic subjects" (I don't live in the USA, in my country subjects are divided to humanian subjects [similar to Liberal Arts] and realistic subjects [scientific subjects]).
I like physics and the very nature of it, as of now I am in my final year of high school. I study something like "honor physics", a higher level physics, though, not university level. We studied electromagnetism, electricity, mechanics, optics and modern physics. Throughout my studies I've done well and my average is just shy of an A+. I don't understand theory immediately, maybe after I have read it again and have solved a couple of exercises. Some classmates in my group are nothing like that - They're sort of geniuses, so to speak, they understand the theory almost immediately and have no problem EXPLAINING it themselves, after maybe just one or two times of hearing the professor.
As I am thinking of studying higher-level physics in the university and perhaps getting a masters or a doctorate, I can't help but wonder if I "stand a chance". It sort of frustrates me that sometimes, although I do understand the subject in the end, I tend to not fully comprehend what is being taught, and others (I realize that envying them will do no good) catch on to it at the speed of light. I'm suppose to choose my major next year and I really haven't made up my mind yet. I don't think my love for the subject makes up for perhaps my lack of X (I have no idea what X is, that's what I'm asking here. or even if there is such a thing).What are your opinions on this subject? are physicists born with certain mental faculties that provide them with the ability to excel at their field?
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