EPTOn June 09 2011 19:39 FREEloss_ca wrote:
I've always been someone full of potential, but never succeeded due to focus. I'm hoping my new found passion for these subjects will spark the focus I've always been lacking.
I've always been someone full of potential, but never succeeded due to focus. I'm hoping my new found passion for these subjects will spark the focus I've always been lacking.
That track record isn't going to cut it. Even if you're passionate about it you still don't know HOW to put the work in and what gets the best results. It's easy to tell yourself "I'm passionate, therefore I'll find away", but focus doesn't just grow on trees. Physics is very hard (this coming from a second year chem eng. grad student!) and if you don't have the drive then you won't make it.
Ok, let's say you find a way to make all the studying happen. Are you willing to make the sacrifices needed to succeed? I've spent the last 10 months struggling just to pass and in turn have given up most of a social life, gaming, and not to mention moving 1000 miles away! Of course everyone can say "sure, it's easy", but it doesn't prepare you for the mental toll and the burnout. Honestly, I don't know how I made it through mine and all the effort is forcing questions like "is this REALLY what I want to do?!". In many ways the experience has changed who I am. I talk differently, study math in my free time, and am just starting to get out and make friends outside the department. The point of all this is that not everyone is willing or capable to make the sacrifices and even if they do some aren't able to take the burnout, disillusionment, and realization of what the field ACTUALLY entails.
I'm not saying "don't do it"; if this is the path you want to take do it now! You won't have another chance as opportune as now! Just make sure that you're prepared for war :D
