Thread: so i wanna major in physics

well i just turned 18 and ive been thinking about college. i recently decided i want to major in physics. it just interest me a lot. but most of the things i know about physics are the things ive seen on tv. i know it involves a lot of complicated math and to be honest, im pretty good at math, but im not an "honors" type student and i havnt taken anything harder than geometry, and im pretty sure im going to need to learn some advanced math if i want to be a physics major.

i need some advice. i really like solving math problems and seeing everything "come together" but i feel like i might be getting in over my head. what am i in for? what kind of things am i going to be expected to know? i will probably just be going to a community college.

right now i am trying to learn but its hard. i find lots of physics sites but none of them are made for the absolute beginner. i see a lot of words and symbols i dont know the meaning of and when i look them up i still find it difficult to understand them. its hard to get things clarified on the internet and i dont know anyone who knows about this kind of stuff "in-depth".

i was wondering if anyone has any advice or knows of a website or pdf file or something i can download or look to for information on physics for the absolute beginner.

ive been looking at this:
http://www.motionmountain.net/ they have a free pdf text book, its pretty good, but its also over a thousand pages and that is not exactly a "crash course" and its also filled with a lot of generic "waste of space" information.

I hate to say it, but I think you are in over your head. You should have had some physics in high school by now, and you will need to be an honors type student to make it in physics.
I suggest going for engineering instead.

Actually it wouldn't hurt you to start out in physics. The courses are similar in the first couple of years. If you arent near the top of your class after the first year or so, make the switch.

Originally Posted by powderedtoastman

well i just turned 18 and ive been thinking about college. i recently decided i want to major in physics. it just interest me a lot. but most of the things i know about physics are the things ive seen on tv. i know it involves a lot of complicated math and to be honest, im pretty good at math, but im not an "honors" type student and i havnt taken anything harder than geometry, and im pretty sure im going to need to learn some advanced math if i want to be a physics major.

i need some advice. i really like solving math problems and seeing everything "come together" but i feel like i might be getting in over my head. what am i in for? what kind of things am i going to be expected to know? i will probably just be going to a community college.

right now i am trying to learn but its hard. i find lots of physics sites but none of them are made for the absolute beginner. i see a lot of words and symbols i dont know the meaning of and when i look them up i still find it difficult to understand them. its hard to get things clarified on the internet and i dont know anyone who knows about this kind of stuff "in-depth".

i was wondering if anyone has any advice or knows of a website or pdf file or something i can download or look to for information on physics for the absolute beginner.

ive been looking at this:
http://www.motionmountain.net/ they have a free pdf text book, its pretty good, but its also over a thousand pages and that is not exactly a "crash course" and its also filled with a lot of generic "waste of space" information.

go to college. everything is easy as long as you have a good memory (non-sevant)

Just remember this, as long as you have the will and the motivation, anything is possible. Plus, you will end up hating yourself if you give up now.