Are you smart enough to study physics?

A small pep talk followed by some practical steps you can take to find out if physics is a good fit for your intelligence. This video also applies to mathematics, something I find hard to separate from physics.

✨

[jacobhempel]

I found that the more important question is not "Am I smart enough to study physics?" but, rather, "Am I genuinely interested enough in Physics to commit an immense amount of time to my studies?" I mean, this is a question you'd ask for almost any occupation you're thinking about.
Physics isn't for geniuses. It's just not something many people are interested in. Not many people find it appealing to sit down with pencil and paper to solve hard problems, or to be in the lab for hours at a time doing the same thing until, finally, you get results. The reality is : you must put in a lot of work and effort to master *anything*, including mathematics and Physics... This may sound distressing, but keep in mind that it's this immense work that is required to master something which is also what makes it so satisfying to master... So yeah, if you're interested in doing Physics, challenge yourself to master it.

I'm getting my PhD currently in Physics. During my high school career, I was sub-par. My ACT score was ~21, which was the national average. I was in Pre-calculus in 12th grade while some people I knew were finishing Calculus 2. By all the standard measures: I am not a genius (far from it, actually). I just really really like Physics. I worked hard to build up to the understanding I currently have, which I have learned is very very little. I know someone else in my department whose story is similar and I'm sure others feel the same. It's sad because we need passion in this field, not "geniuses" who can spit out math on a chalk board, and I feel that many passionate individuals are intimidated by this idea of requiring high intellect to master this material and turn to other fields instead.

[xyzct]

As someone with a physics degree, I think it is important that you really enjoy mathematics.

[jackkelly]

I’m smart enough to know that I’m not smart enough to study physics

[quahntasy]

I am not smart enough but I am doing it anyways.

[sciencepetr]

Yes. The answer is yes. For everyone. If you don't have the background just yet, get the background, and then do it. I believe in all of you. Great video Toby, thanks for talking about a really important thing.

[theotron]

I scored in the bottom 50th percentile of the Math portion of the SAT and never got a higher grade than a "C" in all my HS math classes ( Including a "D" in Chemistry WOOT me a bajillion years and an Learning Disability Diagnosis, but it looks Like I'll be getting my Physics Degree this May. If I can do it anyone can!...EDIT. I've been very flattered by the responses. FYI I am now pursuing my MS. I hope to start on my Thesis soon. I'm still no "outstanding" student ( nowhere near as good as Tibees was, btw), but with proper accommodations for my LD, I am trucking by....Would there be interest in a VLOG about doing physics with a learning disability?

[btc]

I wanted to major in astrophysics. After having an incredibly hard time in every math class that I took, including basic algebra, I decided that astrophysics isn't realistic for me especially in my current financial situation and the pace at which I take courses. I've always loved computer science, so that became my major. I still have an incredibly hard time with the math classes required for comp sci. I've literally taken linear algebra 5 times! But I think this 5th time I'll pass. I have ADHD which severely hinders my memory and prevents me from recalling information for an exam. I was thinking about doing a physics minor along with my comp sci major but at this rate id graduate after being in college for 11 years. So I'm just doing the comp sci major now which means I'll graduate after a total of 9 years in college and that's just for a bachelor's degree. I'm currently in my 7th year of college. I'm going to finish, this is my life. And there's nothing else worth my time other than learning how the world works and creating things that help people and expand knowledge. My goal is to work for NASA programming their computers/applications. I feel lazy, behind, and mentally handicapped, but I keep pushing.

[derfman]

I’ve started my physics degree this year. I could sit here and question my abilities all day long but at the end of the day. I just decided to go for it!

[sowmyag]

There are gifted , hardworking and passionate physicists.
Ultimately anyone can study physics if they aren't scared
Fear is the only thing that stops us from learning physics.
We just have to enjoy it & be curious . That's it .

[AndrewDotsonvideos]

"Well andrew dotson sure isn't" *ends video*

[Loveumica]

There's no point in doing something to prove one's smartness, the point is to do something which you would love to keep doing when you wake up everyday.

[barrjohnm]

I went back to school when I was 30 years old and I was basically illiterate 5÷1 = 5 baffled me! I got my bachelors of science degree in meteorology. I also did a minor in applied mathematics.

[jrwntctv]

I'd like to make the point that every one of us is more capable than we think that we are. Nobody can do everything but none of us use our brain as efficiently as we possibly can. Our brains can potentially do more than what they are doing at present - we need to figure out how to get the most out of our brain. You undoubtedly have many viewers that are presently considering studying physics or maths in the future and are maybe questioning how successful they would be at studying physics. To these viewers, I have this advice: It would be worth taking the time to learn how the brain works and forming some study habits around this. Study habits that take into account the natural workings of the brain are likely to be more effective, and more effective study habits will make you more successful.

[Adinga]

I think think that the most important thing for studying Physics is passion and hard work..🙂

[RalphDratman]

I agree. I did want to study physics, but I found I was not smart enough to learn physics EASILY. The result, then, as you pointed out, was that I would have had to devote tremendous amounts of work and study and memorization to the task. I was particularly unwilling (too proud and also I felt it lost the point) to memorize formulas, and therefore ended up doing poorly in physics after the first two courses. So I did not continue. You've helped me understand that I probably made the right choice for my particular personality and inclinations. I prefer to be a generalist, as best I can, rather than trying to specialize and do a more narrow kind of work. I will never be as good at maths and physics or any technical subject as I would like to be, but that is the way I am and I've found I cannot change myself that drastically to be much different.

One more point: I think your videos are valuable and that your approach is a good one. Thank you.

[JustinGarfield]

As a person who had sort of a disability: autism, I struggled with math my early adulthood. So, I believe, it all depends on who you are. I think if you are patient and consistent, it will work but a lot of head ache. But that head ache makes you stronger. Get your foundation in math very strong, then step by step put your feet into the water of physics... Just make sure you cement a lot of the concepts in your mind and practice them. Take tons of notes. I am working on my 8th book of notes. I am studying math, chemistry and some physics...So working my way up to it physics. Awesome and informational video.

[videgameCaster]

I studied Software Engineering, and I took a few physic classes... I only have one thing to say: You don't need to be good at maths... YOU NEED TO EXCEL at math! The math in my software engineering courses are NOTHING compared to the mathematic notions that you will see in Physics courses.

But one thing that is also true is that how ever good you are, if you don't have self-discipline you are going to struggle. Being good is not enough (it might be for some, we call them genius). You gotta have to invest dozens of hours per week studying, doing the SAME exercice twice, thrice. Stay away from parties (leave that stuff as a celebration when your semester will end).

3 years for a degree is short, time flies! Focus on SCIENCE guys!

[dylancosto]

My teachers: “physics requires a monumental amount of experimental work”
Me studying string theory: SIKE

[kevincannon]

I’d say the more important question is whether physics is something you have a genuine interest in, or even better, a passion for. Physics is one of those disciplines where to be successful you either have to be naturally gifted or very interested in the subject.

Also, I’d recommend not using MIT as a reference point for determining whether you’re smart enough to do physics. MIT is pretty hardcore. I know someone who did physics there and the classes he took freshman year were classes I took in my junior year (I was a physics & math double major at Virginia Tech).

[jonathandavis]

You know I’m probably not smart enough but I did it anyway 😜