- #1
Eli Frazer
- 4
- 0
Hello, community! I am a fourteen-year-old high school student I am looking for an answer to the eponymous question. Preferably, I would like if somebody who has completed any degree in physics to answer; thank you. So, allow me to explain my situation.
I always have had a fascination for science and how the world operated. Recently, say for a year or so, the focal point of my interests have lied upon physics. At first, the specific field was astrophysics. I love(d) space and find various discoveries/laws to be incredibly intriguing (e.g. stellar evolution, quasi periodic oscillations). I still love astrophysics, but as my research upon the occupation expanded to considering it as a long time career, my interest in pursuing it as a career decreased. It seems arduous to find an occupation in the field and I think I may be better suited to reading the books (like Cosmos and A Brief History of Time). After this, my interests shifted to (and currently are in) nuclear physics. It seems to be stable in the job market and can be pursued as a career outside of professorship (though the aforementioned job will probably be a must).
Furthermore, I have been researching the question of interest through Google and this website and (almost) all sources say doing physics rather than learning it is torturous and most do not prosper. Can somebody verify this from an unbiased standpoint? Many say simply learning it is not enough and developing theorems on your own is consequential to becoming a physicist. This seems intuitive, and this is my biggest sub-question.
For some background about myself, I am fairly intelligent, but nothing special. I receive good grades, but cannot read Einstein's theories of relativity with ease. IQ is rather inessential for being successful (hard work is what matters). I know anything can be achieved with hard work and a passion, but I think I need some natural skills to enjoy my field of work.
My biggest worry is that I do not have the best problem solving skills. I do well mathematics and often enjoy it. I can extrapolate formulas provided and apply them to various problems. However, it is difficult for me to develop these formulas. I wouldn't be going into theoretical physics for this reason; I would be considering experimental physics. That said, would engineering be a better selection for me?
Also, I plan to take my high-school exit exam my sophomore year to enter a college where I can get a head start. Since exiting early is only practical when you know the path you wish to go down, I would really like to know if this is something I could/should pursue. Is this (from an educational standpoint) a good idea?
For answering my question, if you could please respond in a polite manner rather than saying something along the lines of 'you're too young, you cannot possibly know what physics is about,' or 'do some more research, then come back to talk seriously,' that would be great. I also realize that going into physics is not the most lucrative job or the easiest. I have read multiple articles about the journeys of physicists; I fully realize how tough the job is. I know that going into physics is not for the fame but for the intrigue, which is what I have currently; I definitely will not win the Nobel Prize in Physics or anything like that.
So, to summarize:
1) If I am interested, but nothing special, will I prosper in this career?
2) Will I become depressed in this field like all the articles I have read?
3) Is it better to go into engineering if I do not have the creative ability to develop formulas?
4) Is it a good idea to take the high school exit exam early?
5) Is physics a good career option for me?
6) If the answer to 5 is 'yes' what kind of physics field would you recommend for me?
Your help is greatly appreciated. Apologies if I have not provided enough information.
I always have had a fascination for science and how the world operated. Recently, say for a year or so, the focal point of my interests have lied upon physics. At first, the specific field was astrophysics. I love(d) space and find various discoveries/laws to be incredibly intriguing (e.g. stellar evolution, quasi periodic oscillations). I still love astrophysics, but as my research upon the occupation expanded to considering it as a long time career, my interest in pursuing it as a career decreased. It seems arduous to find an occupation in the field and I think I may be better suited to reading the books (like Cosmos and A Brief History of Time). After this, my interests shifted to (and currently are in) nuclear physics. It seems to be stable in the job market and can be pursued as a career outside of professorship (though the aforementioned job will probably be a must).
Furthermore, I have been researching the question of interest through Google and this website and (almost) all sources say doing physics rather than learning it is torturous and most do not prosper. Can somebody verify this from an unbiased standpoint? Many say simply learning it is not enough and developing theorems on your own is consequential to becoming a physicist. This seems intuitive, and this is my biggest sub-question.
For some background about myself, I am fairly intelligent, but nothing special. I receive good grades, but cannot read Einstein's theories of relativity with ease. IQ is rather inessential for being successful (hard work is what matters). I know anything can be achieved with hard work and a passion, but I think I need some natural skills to enjoy my field of work.
My biggest worry is that I do not have the best problem solving skills. I do well mathematics and often enjoy it. I can extrapolate formulas provided and apply them to various problems. However, it is difficult for me to develop these formulas. I wouldn't be going into theoretical physics for this reason; I would be considering experimental physics. That said, would engineering be a better selection for me?
Also, I plan to take my high-school exit exam my sophomore year to enter a college where I can get a head start. Since exiting early is only practical when you know the path you wish to go down, I would really like to know if this is something I could/should pursue. Is this (from an educational standpoint) a good idea?
For answering my question, if you could please respond in a polite manner rather than saying something along the lines of 'you're too young, you cannot possibly know what physics is about,' or 'do some more research, then come back to talk seriously,' that would be great. I also realize that going into physics is not the most lucrative job or the easiest. I have read multiple articles about the journeys of physicists; I fully realize how tough the job is. I know that going into physics is not for the fame but for the intrigue, which is what I have currently; I definitely will not win the Nobel Prize in Physics or anything like that.
So, to summarize:
1) If I am interested, but nothing special, will I prosper in this career?
2) Will I become depressed in this field like all the articles I have read?
3) Is it better to go into engineering if I do not have the creative ability to develop formulas?
4) Is it a good idea to take the high school exit exam early?
5) Is physics a good career option for me?
6) If the answer to 5 is 'yes' what kind of physics field would you recommend for me?
Your help is greatly appreciated. Apologies if I have not provided enough information.