Thinking of studying physics? Here’s what you need to know

Physics is arguably one of the most amazing subjects that you could choose to study. Now, as someone who has a degree in astrophysics, I’m not going to list all the reasons why physics is such a beautiful and important subject. But as Professor Stephen Hawking once said:

“No one undertakes research in physics with the intention of winning a prize. It is the joy of discovering something no one knew before.”

I thoroughly enjoyed my time studying physics and I aim to share that enthusiasm with others. However, success in this field requires certain skills and attitudes. So, what are these attitudes and skills that prospective physics students should adopt to excel in the field?

📈 Skills

🧮 Mathematics

Competency in maths is crucial for understanding physics. Essentially, physics applies mathematics to describe our universe. This skill is indispensable, whether your interest lies in quantum mechanics or astrophysics.

You might wonder what types of maths you will use in physics. Statistics and probabilities come into play in quantum mechanics and thermodynamics. Calculus is ubiquitous, from determining the pressure gradient inside a star to the Schrödinger Equation in quantum physics. Complex numbers come up during quantum and atomic physics studies, and even basic trigonometry is used to calculate the distance to stars using parallax.

Although this may seem overwhelming, these maths skills can be honed through continuous use and practice. For quick maths refreshers, my go-to textbook is Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering. I also made a video on my physics textbook recommendations here:

💻 Programming

Perhaps surprisingly, programming is one of the key skills you’ll need to study physics. Gone are the days of tedious and long pencil and paper calculations (although, you’ll probably have to do some of those too). Instead, data analysis in physics is now done almost entirely through programming. Programming is used in physics for things like:

• Simulations/ modelling

• Data analysis

• Data visualisation

• + much more

If you're just starting your physics journey and haven't yet dipped your toes into the world of programming, Python is a great place to start. Python is user-friendly and relatively easy for beginners to learn, but it's also powerful and versatile enough to be used for complex tasks.

Python is widely used in the world of physics, making it a practical choice and comes with a multitude of libraries specifically designed for the field. For instance, AstroPy is a library tailored for use with astronomy datasets, making it an invaluable tool for anyone interested in this branch of physics.

Learning Python, like any skill, takes time and practice, but there are plenty of resources available to help you. From free online courses and videos to textbooks and tutorials, the wealth of information at your disposal is vast.

✍️ Writing

Writing is a critical skill in Physics, especially at university level. The further you progress in your physics studies, the more scientific writing becomes necessary. Typically, university students need to write a scientific report on their end of year projects, with a significant portion of the assessment based on the quality of their writing. When coming to your final year, you’re likely to have a final research project which requires you to explain some original research in a comprehensive manner.

Improving scientific writing can be very straightforward: Read scientific papers to understand the standard, ensure you have a thorough understanding of the topic you are writing about, and practice writing. Just like any other skill, the more you practice scientific writing, the better you'll become.

A piece of advice that everyone should consider is: if a concept can be expressed in simpler terms, avoid using complicated language. As Einstein once said:

“If you can’t explain something to a five-year-old, you don't understand it well enough.”

🧠 Attitudes

🎯 Take opportunities

It's crucial to always be on the lookout for the next opportunity. This includes attending relevant seminars that could provide additional insights into your field of interest, as well as optional physics lectures and classes. These educational platforms not only expand your knowledge but also expose you to various perspectives that can spark new ideas and fuel your passion for physics.

Additionally, participating in career fairs can open doors to potential job opportunities and collaborations. These events allow you to meet individuals from different sectors of physics, enabling you to broaden your network. Remember, the larger your network of physicists, the more resources and support you have at your disposal.

Networking with other professionals in the field can offer various benefits, such as the opportunity to learn from their experiences, gain advice on career progression, and even collaborate on future projects. This interaction often leads to inspiration and maintains motivation, especially when faced with the challenges inherent in the field of physics. Thus, continuing to grow your network and actively seeking out new opportunities are fundamental steps for success in this field.

🚨 Accept failure

The pursuit of science is essentially a journey filled with numerous failures, punctuated by a few rare successes that become the highlights of the expedition. It's a field that demands resilience and an unwavering spirit to persevere, despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that may present themselves along the way. Therefore, it is of vital importance that your motivation to engage in scientific endeavors stems not from external rewards such as gaining recognition or achieving the highest grades. Such things are fleeting and can often be elusive, leading to a rapid depletion of your motivation if they remain unattained. Instead, your drive should be fueled by a genuine interest and passion for the process of learning and unraveling the mysteries of the natural world. It should be the intrinsic value and satisfaction derived from the process of discovery that propels you forward, not just the appeal of the title of being a physicist or the general allure of physics as a discipline. You should find joy in the journey itself, not just the destination.

🧐 Be curious

Don't just settle for your first answer! Dive in, explore it further. If you stumble across a 'wrong answer' or 'unexpected result', don't just toss it aside. Instead, challenge yourself with the question: 'Why did this happen?'. Dig into the why behind your answer. Remember, unexpected results aren't always mistakes; they can often lead to exciting discoveries. My first year lab supervisor said it best when he shared that:

“No new discovery came from getting the same results as everyone else.”

Those unusual or unexpected results? They're often the first step towards a new understanding, a fresh theory, or an innovative breakthrough.

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You can watch the full video I made on this topic here: