When I tell people that I have my degree in physics, I get a wide range of reactions. There is a lot of awe, a lot of people don’t really know what was involved, and a lot of people get intimidated. But when people ask me why I did this for my degree, I cannot stress strongly enough how rewarding a subject it can be. Physics is the science that describes the fundamentals of everything, the how, why and what in every situation. It describes behaviors on every scale, from the subatomic to the intergalactic. But what kind of person will find physics the most enjoyable?
The traditional image of a physicist is an old, frizzy haired white man with thick glasses and a forehead full of wrinkles. But physics is a very open and accepting field. Some of the leading researchers in the most exciting fields of physics fly straight in the face of that stereotype. There are so many exciting fields of research that anyone with a curious mind and the ability to ask the right questions can excel in it. Anyone can be a great physicist, so what do you need to do in order to get ready to study physics?
Physics has often been described as math with an application, so having a strong fundamental understanding of math is important. A lot of college physics courses will start with an advanced math class to help incoming students solidify their understanding of algebra and calculus. In truth, a lot of people with a practical mind will find that calculus makes a lot more sense when you have a practical use for it.
Aside from a strong math basis, prospective physics majors would be well served to take both the AP Physics 1 and 2 exams in order to prepare to take the SAT Subject Test in Physics. The breadth of subjects required to study physics at college is substantial, and the SAT Subject test covers a large majority of these fundamentals.
The great thing about the range and diversity of physics is that there are many different areas to find your passion. You mind find that studying the formation and collision of galaxies makes your pulse race, or that the collision of photons in a particle accelerator is what makes you tick.
Whatever you find that strikes your interest, there is a field of physics for you!
AJ Tutoring has a fantastic physics team, and if you would like support to advance your physics career please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today!
