Physics is hard! Life is even harder...

I started with an undergraduate programme in physics feeling optimistic, excited and relatively happy in getting into such a prestigious and well respected course. However after a couple of weeks, I started to yearn for the creative and mentally stimulating debates I used to have during my Secondary and Polytechnic days. I realized that it was the endless interactions that appealed to me, rather than the rigidity of studying such conceptual and highly intensive subject.

As I drifted into the academic year, I have doubts whether I should continue with this course. First and foremost, the interest of studying physics is diminishing as weeks passed. I was feeling disappointed in physics after a few lectures that are being conducted. It doesn’t seems like it is all that dignified and creditable study of things that encompasses the large and the small, the old and the new, which is what I had imagined or at least hoped it to be. Instead, I was subjected to tedious mathematics and mind- boggling problems of classical mechanics involving motions, momentum, collision, center of mass, forces, torques and etc. I was hopping to learn about the fundamental laws of nature, and gain insight into such real life application and its philosophical implications. None of the things I learned and see so far seemed to be relevant in this context; consequently I was starting to dread that my understanding and depiction of physics was far too idealistic in nature. Sadly, my passion for physics is being struck on me like a two headed knife through my heart.

Secondly, it is the gradual build up of pressures that make me question my ability to cope this year and perhaps consecutively years to come. With that, I’m afraid getting a good 1st degree would just be a dream. Come from a hardened, worldly, self-criticism person who has learned life's painful lessons through personal experience, my point is that the above statement and justification seems true.

Then I had second thoughts about my chosen career path, I feel that although the study of physics provides a good foundation in analytical understanding and rational thinking which could apply to the working world, however personally it lacks the basic of human interactions that comes along with it such as communicating effectively, working constructively in a group and being a social butterfly in different situations. I’m not trying to undermine physics but it is definitely challenging, often frustrating, sometimes excruciating and most of the time satisfying if could solve a problem after putting much effort, time and understanding into it. Then again if we looked at the various career prospects, employers will recruit any graduates from any disciplines but employing someone with core skills, such as research, communication and organizational skills, combined with the intellect required to study at degree level as well as vocational or personal experiences that goes along with it are essential in the company’s growth. As a result, I’m determined to undertake a new subject that I really liked and beneficial to my job scope.

At this stage, I began to realize that I’ve lost interests in the study of physics and started thinking what I’d rather be doing. A breadth History Module HY2206 – China’s Imperial Past which I took this semester has opened up my mind to greater aspects of the human civilization that perpetuate my thirst for more intellectually and engaging stimulation. The module acts as a social lubricant that enriches my life as the skills I obtained collectively from both my experience in study as well as social skills of an undergraduate. The studying of this module gives me the determination, enthusiasm, flexibility and drive to deliver good results. Into the bargain, I become conscious about gaining research skills such as managing, interpreting and analyze information which are core principles for employment in a knowledge based economy. The module cultivates my outmost appreciation and greater understanding of the past and its application and difficulty that goes along with it whether in the present and perhaps in the future. Not only that I did a holistic search on my subject of study such as researching my options to get a detailed picture as possible in being clear about what I did and did not like about my previous course of study, read prospectuses carefully, visit NUS’s website and talk to academic mentors and friends about this.

In addition to that, acquiring detailed knowledge of a subject and undertaking a depth research in evaluating information based on personal opinions, arguments & criticism and communicate my findings through oral presentation or argumentative essays are something that I love to do. These skills could be specific to that profession but the skills and background knowledge may be transferable to other professions.

In conclusion, although all of us have different educational tour in attaining what we wanted in life, I think it is best if I could unlearn and relearn things that I really wanted and proceed from there. Personally Knowledge doesn’t come to us just by reading a book, being told by others or years of experience but a combination of the 3. All I can do now is to do my best and be willing to face the circumstances courageously and optimistically whatever comes in my way.

"A major determinant of whether you will succeed as a Physics major is if you possess the ability to ignore those people who will try to dishearten, discourage and demoralize you by telling you that you aren't good enough."