Is 22 too late to start studying physics from scratch
Hey everyone,
I'm 22 years old and I'm at a bit of a crossroads. I want to seriously start studying physics with the dream of one day becoming an astrophysicist or a theoretical physicist. But I'm hit with a wave of doubt and I could really use some honest perspective from people in the field.
Here's my situation:
I have zero background in physics or higher-level mathematics. I'm essentially starting from the ground up , no foundation to build on, just curiosity and motivation.
Most people my age have already finished their bachelor's degree and are well into their master's by now. That fact alone makes me feel like I've missed the boat entirely.
For personal reasons, going to a university isn't an option for me. I'll have to do this entirely through open courseware (MIT OCW, etc.), textbooks, YouTube lectures, and self-study. Realistically, can self-study get me to the same level of understanding as someone who went through a formal physics program? Or will there always be a gap?
I know that becoming a professional research physicist almost always requires a formal PhD path, and I've made peace with the fact that route may not be open to me. But I still want to learn this subject as deeply as humanly possible. If self-study can take me far enough that doors eventually open - great. If it "only" makes me a deeply knowledgeable enthusiast who genuinely understands the field, I'd consider that worthwhile too.
So my questions to this community:
Is 22 genuinely too late to start from absolute zero?
How far can a dedicated self-learner realistically go in physics? Can someone genuinely reach undergraduate-level mastery or beyond ,without a formal program?
Has anyone here taken the self-taught route, and how far did it actually get you?
I keep reading about people like Feynman starting at 15, and it makes me feel like I'm already behind before I've even started. Is that comparison fair, or is it a trap?
What would you do if you were in my position?
I'd really appreciate honest answers, including hard truths. I'd rather hear them now than waste years on illusions.
Thanks for reading.