r/PhysicsStudents

For context, I am in my third of 4 years of an integrated masters in physics with astrophysics at one of the top unis in the uk for physics. I feel like i may be experiencing burnout, because the course is relentless, with 100% exam based modules plus no resits. Its incredibly challenging and what is making it worse for me is that astrophysics is not what i thought it would be. I recently began to market myself as an artist online, commissions started rolling in and i'm loving it. I loved art from a young age and being introduced to a potential life as an artist was the last straw which tanked any interest i had in physics. Before i had motivation to pass since i only saw my degree as a path to my future career but now i am dreaming of becoming a successful artist (sounds silly but its possible) and i dont even have career as a possible 'why' for why i should put energy into studying. I don't really want to hear that being an artist is unrealistic as a goal because it's not, but i understand my degree is a good fallback. This brings me to the next thing tanking my motivation which is the main issue: astrophysics is not what i thought it would be. It's super derivation heavy in the theory modules, I'm not learning anything new, i'm just repeating the same derivations for the maths behind basic astrophysical processes. Moreover my course has a HUGE amount of mandatory modules in things like fluid dynamics and quantum physics which I haven't been enjoying. I did a few planetary science modules which i LOVE, its everything i hoped astrophysics would be when i applied, but they are few and far between since im bombarded by all these other core modules, reducing my number of optional modules per semester down to only one. So i get ONE module i enjoy per semester. Overall i'm just hoping someone out there can relate, and has tips to keep me going before i burn out too much. Thanks!

So I graduated with a biophysics degree last year and I have had a hard time trying to find a job. Now I am thinking about pursuing graduate school in biophysics or something completely different like medical lab technologist.

For physics graduate students, how do you find the current job market in Canada? Are you finding jobs? Also, what kind of jobs do you usually get? I'm really worried about getting another degree and not finding work again. I'm planning to start with a master's program and transfer into a PhD if I go this route.

It's mandatory in our physics program to take two chemistry courses in our first year, I'm curious about other programs in other countries. Do you also take biology? Are they useful for doing physics?

Physics textbook lineup

Curious of your guys opinions for my self teaching undergraduate path textbooks

Fundamentals of physics - halliday (was either this or university physics but i happened to already have this) as like a basics book and also go along with other more in depth books

Classical mechanics - taylor (been told this is a good book and also happened to have it)

Intro to electrodynamics - griffiths (i also have but still open to suggestions)

Thermodynamics im still unsure but someone recommended “an introduction to thermal physics” -schroeder

Intro to quantum mechanics - griffiths (someone else recommended mcyintre, i have both already but not sure which i should pick and saw someone say griffiths doesnt introduce dirac notation and linear algebra til later in the book, also still open for suggestions).

Also ive completed all of calculus and did part of linear algebra and diff eq before being forced to drop out due to family reasons, but its been resolved and i plan to go back either in the fall or in a year (upper division physics classes at the school ill be going to only comes around once per year) and i have a few math methods for physics/engineers books and a linear algebra textbook i could use

From what I can find, most online resources(whether it be lectures or textbooks) tend to be introductions that conclude with a construction of a swarzchild metric. While research papers are obviously way more advanced.

Do you have any recommendations for something in the middle? Also, any general advice for finding resources in the middle? In the past I have always just looked for books commonly cited in dissertations and papers.

I’m 2nd year physics student, who used to excel at my studies in high school without even trying much. In high school, I never been one to study everyday or revise, if I have a test or a quiz? I simply study before it a day before or a few hours before the test. This included even finals, no matter the subject, yet thankfully, I still got all A’s. I remember when I became a 1st year in college, I understood that what I used to do before cannot be applied here. Later on, as I settled in with a roommate I just simply couldn’t sleep. Me and roommates became friends, close friends even but I simply couldn’t sleep, I’m someone who can’t sleep with anyone in the same room. No matter if we were friends, family, or whatever. My body was always in high alert. I spent 1 year and a half in that state. I never took naps, not even for 10 minutes even. My body would stay awake for 24 hours or even a bit more and THEN I’d sleep. I’d always sleep for 3-4 hours. And sometimes even 1 hour. You’d think I look tired, but no. I never did, I always had energy and I maintained to function normally. All that with no caffeine at all. People were always surprised to know that I’m functioning normally like anyone else with no sleep. Yet when they even sleep for 5 hours, they struggle with going on about their day. Anyway, during my 1st year, I was performing terribly in most of my courses that required more brain energy, I even failed in Calculus 1 like 3 times. Imagine, a physics student struggling at such a fundamental course. To be honest, the only reason I was performing bad was because of procrastination. I barely studied, I couldn’t even force myself to study. Yes, sure, months later I started to suffer from foggy memories from the long periods of lack in sleep. It was so bad that as I chat with others, I forget what I’m saying mid sentence and when I get reminded by others, I’d forge again. Finally after 1 and half year, I started to sleep more than I used to. And most importantly, I was finally able to take power up naps. But the impact the year had on was still lingering in my system, my memory improved but it still wasn’t the best. I still tend to forget a lot, but it way better than having memory fog episodes mid speaking or listening. I find myself to struggle greatly regarding procrastination to the point I no longer feel sense of alertness even if I have final exam the same day, and I haven’t studied for. I think such numbness was born because of how long my body was in survival mode, that it eventually shut off as a way for my brain to protect itself. I’m currently struggling with courses such as Calculus 2. I keep on performing bad because I’m simply not even studying, I barely study for it. I keep on thinking about studying but I never do. Not even for 5 minutes to trick my brain to continue. Trust me, I really loving learning and I’m always fascinated by physics. I love my major deeply yet I find myself struggling to go back to how I used to. I have finals in 1st of May and I’m honestly way behind 2 courses, including calculus 2. I feel like I genuinely have no idea about the material of that course. I already performed really terribly in this course and to get a passing grade, I genuinely need a FULL mark in the final exam. If I fail that course, I’ll immediately get an academic warning and I can’t afford to put myself in that situation. I need honest advice, tricks, methods, whatever…

I’ll post this in another subreddit as well.

If you made it this far, thank you so much for even reading this.

For anyone who took it, what did you guys think? Harder than previous years?

I'm passionate about physics, specifically particle physics. But I’m a bit hesitant about pursuing a pure physics major because of how competitive and uncertain the career path can be. Right now, I’m considering majoring in engineering physics since it seems like a good balance between the experimental side of engineering and the theoretical side of physics.

how common or realistic is it for someone with an engineering physics degree to specialize in particle physics later on? Has anyone taken that path, and is it even possible for an engineering physics major to do that?

Hi everyone. I’m an international Physics Engineering student with a ~3.2 GPA. I’ve realized I’m much more of a "hardware/hands-on" person than a theorist. I plan to spend my next two years mastering XRD, thin-film deposition, and cleanroom protocols.

My question: In your experience, how much does proven technical competency in the lab offset a mediocre GPA when applying to R1 schools (like TAMU, UTK, NCSU) for experimental tracks? Are PIs in materials/condensed matter generally willing to overlook the GPA if the student can hit the ground running with the equipment?

Hi, I'm looking for a mentor whom I can ask questions to while I self-study or ask for general advice. My school's physics teacher is too busy to help with material that is beyond the courses he teaches, unfortunately. Right now, I'm studying Kleppner and Kolenkow's Mechanics.

(Not looking for paid tutors)