Are you smart enough to study physics? 

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

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

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

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.

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

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 WOOT).....Took 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?

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.

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 .

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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!

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.

Am I the only one who finds myself smiling while she is smiling? Lol

When Notification came, i thought she's personally asking me whether i am smart enough to study physics...

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).

Well, honestly I don't think that i am smart enough for physics. Nevertheless i still don't want to crash my chances without trying, I will try the first year with the mindset that I am going to be smart enough, sometimes one finds that he is capable of things that seemed pretty difficult when he gives it a shot

Andrew Dotson thinks so: *claps* "What's going on, smart people?"

i've got my bach degree in physics, but everytime people say to me "how dafuq did you even get in university"? really cracks me up hehe

No im not. And im in 3rd year in physics department

In my case, the answer to that question also depended on when it was asked. I did well in science in my junior highschool years, and then not so well in my senior highschool years (I took Physics and Chemistry). In Physics, I was average to slightly above average, except for the semester when we studied electricity, magnetism and electronics - where I got top marks. Similarly with maths: I was average to slightly above average, except for the semester when we studied complex numbers. So, when I finished school, the answer would've been "No". Instead of going to university, I did an electrical engineering trade. Towards the end of that, I found a lot of the physics and maths concepts I had struggled with were much more obvious ... so much so that I wondered (and still do) why I had so much trouble in school. So I decided to give engineering a try at university. And that's where I applied the same thinking as stated around 10:48 in this video: I decided I needed to be good enough, regardless. I had no problems with the classes run by the physics and maths departments at uni, and enjoyed learning stuff they weren't covering in the physics classes ... so much so that my assignment work started ringing alarm bells with our lecturer and tutors. One day in the lab, the department head asked who I was and why I knew more about the previous week's lab topic (black body radiation) than he did. After a few questions he was satisfied that I wasn't getting someone else to write my work, and he gave me the best compliment I ever got during any of my physics studies: "Any time you want to switch from engineering to physics, come and see me." So some four or so years after I felt I wasn't smart enough, a department head with a Ph.D in physics told me I was! 😁

It takes lot of hard work. Smartness is not a factor.

"Are you inspired enough to study Physics?"

Short answer: no. But I have a lot of fun trying. Luckily my career doesn’t depend on it. Thanks for your work on these videos. You have some great ideas. I’m too old for university study, but I’m using college textbooks to teach myself. I’ve mastered the early math, but I still need calculus III. I’m mostly interested in Electrodynamics since I work in power supply design.

I don't know why I'm watching this, I'm actually a biology student lmao

I'm watching this while I'm in the 4th year of my undergraduate physics course 😂😂

We are hard enough to sustain the aim of studying Physics !!

Have you ever thought about starting a podcast? A lot of your videos don't need to be actually watched (this isn't a bad thing at all), so you could just post the final video audio as a podcast episode. It would be great, you have such a calm and sweet voice :D ♥

i've learned that i need to get over the fear of being wrong, because most of the moments when i'm wrong i will learn and get the most out of it

I struggled with general maths, and scored average in my highschool exams; It was my weakest subject. Now im consistently scoring high HD's in every university level math subject; its about learning techniques, and practice problems. Simple.

so far physics isn’t bad for me. i’m majoring in physics at UCLA and am currently taking differential eqns, linear algebra, electricity and magnetism, and optics/thermo. kinda nervous for what’s to come!

I would like to see a child take an IQ test before high school and then in post-grad in physics, to finally prove what is really going on

Thank you very much, in May I will take my entrance exam for university, I want to study physics or mathematics, and I am afraid.I have asked myself that question hundreds of times, I hope to develop properly. Thank you for your work here on RU-vid, greetings from Mexico.

The point with me is I loved Physics. The analysis of how the world works, the problem solving, the understanding how the math relates to the physical principles we observe. I was just getting started in grad school when I had an opportunity for a real (good paying) job. In my career, I used technical writing, logic and computer programming, but now that I am retired I can revisit the Physics and do it for fun. I was happy to discover the MIT OCW courses. I had professors like Prof Lewin who were very engaging and the hands on labs were lots of fun.

Its just hard work, you gotta love it, and you gotta love working at it.

Everytime you said physics i heard math, i don't think of myself being smart but i really want to try a math degree, i'm a bit insecure but i have lots of curiosity and admiration for it.

I agree with everything youve said!I think almost everyone has the capacity to study anything at uni. It's 70% motivation, 20%discipline and the rest is enjoyment, intelligence and anything else. If you really want to study it, you probably can.

I want to learn Physics

As a Physics major who graduated last year, I would say that if you're good at math and like science, then maybe yes. But, I would say very strongly that you have to be very good at math because that is ALWAYS in the way of understanding higher level physics. Very important to know well Calculus, Differential Equations, Liner Algebra and some higher lever concepts from Numerical Analysis, Statistics, and Applied Analysis. You have to be good at math, period. The physics concepts themselves are very clever and take a good amount of thinking to understand, though imo, there aren't as many things to memorize as say Biology or Chemistry. So you don't really need a good memory, you just need to see the concepts frequently from different sources to get different explanations and have one stick to you.

Yeah. I went to school with a brilliant maths student. He won every prize. But he couldn't understand novels at all; the English teacher had to say to him that for your final year exam choose a novel that is concrete. Because abstract themes didn't work for him. The hardest subject in my opinion is musical composition. I'll say why. Composition is functional and aesthetic. So you can make great music technically and fail to make it sound good. Whereas in physics, maths, brain surgery and flying a plane sure, it is hard and requires a lot of training and discipline. But your task is functional. At least most of the time. [we could get into engineers making stuff that also looks good, computer programmers making more elegant code etc] . You have to get it right. It doesn't matter how beautiful your physics is. It just has to work right.

I’m smart enough to study physics. I’m just not smart enough to understand any of it.

As a summary of what he said, just follow your dreams, do what you want, don't let anyone stop what you want to be. Because in the end you will come back to great, you will try and try every time you fail, try again, your desire to succeed must always be greater than the fear of failure. Only then will you succeed. So never stop always continuing the day you do it in life you will be rewarded.

thank you Tibees, I´ll go study now.

You just need to be smart enough to follow your dreams! :D

At the introductory class my uni rector said to us - all of you here are smart enough to be here and study physics. But, the ones that actually finish and graduate, are not necessarily the smartest students but the most determinate ones. And I can confirm. There were times when I literally cried over my textbooks thinking I cannot do this and I'll fail all my exams, I did feel like an imposter occasionally. But then I realized most of us studying physics occasionally felt like this but the most important thing is that we wanted this so so much and we didn't quit, no matter how hard it got. We fought for out place there and for understanding. And this is the most important thing. Perseverance and determination. It's also ok to fail a class or two (or in my case the entire year 😅🙈). You accept it, learn from it and move on. You study more next time and pass.

I'm currently taking physics in high school rn. I feel like I'm smart enough to do higher level physics in Uni

I gained a BSc in Astrophysics (specialising in Cosmology). I'm dyslexic and find math genuinely difficult. The "trick" is that you need to ask for help when you don't understand something, regardless of how basic and simple it may seem. If you don't understand something from first principles you won't understand it at all. Pure maths is a language and you need to learn how to read/manipulate it. Everything can seem difficult until you're taught how to do it and sometimes it's just a question of finding the right teacher/explanation. Let your passion for the subject drive you to succeed. For me, modules like solid state physics were more mathematically challenging than "exotic" subjects like quantum mechanics. RU-vid is an incredible tool and I wish lectures were freely available when I was doing my undergrad.

I always thought I am, and I definitley think I am now at second year. I like what I am doing, and I just want to know more about physics every day. I like doing exercises so much (in particular when they're strange and unusual ahahah) and studying prooves. And I have learnt, studying physics, how much I love math and how I want a grade even in math. I made classical studies in high school for 5 years, just like most of my teachers at university, and at first studying new things was hard, hard AS FUCK, but I then realised how I didn't want to do anything else in life. I found out how I could apply my logic in latin translation, for example, throught problems and I've found that I personally prefer a lot more solving problems. I personally am a problem solver (dealing with anxiety but yeah). It's hard for everybody studying physics, but if it's what you really like (be sincere obv) it's the right choice. Greetings from Italy

Besides the content of your videos, I just love your attitude towards learning and this is something that has been helping me quite a lot these days. Thank you!

The real question should be "are you patient enough to deal with all the bean counters in academia?"

No, I am not.

You have to enjoy in order to learn something! Come on, your voice is wonderful!

The following qualities are needed : 1) a good IQ : not necessarily a genius IQ. If you can logically follow an argument and it's implications and make reasonable deductions then you are good to go. An average IQ is okay. 2) confidence and passion for physics. 3) hard work and discipline. 4) Enjoy mathematics.

I believe we are all smart enough, but to open ones mind and look past the fear of failure is a must. challenge ur mind and never give up!

Wud luv to see you explain some everyday physics : )

Im only 15 but I've aspired to become a theoretical physicist since I was 10. It would be my dream to specialise in Quantum theory or string theory or dark matter. Physics and maths are my faveroute subjects in school right now and your videos have inspired me to persue my dream to become a world changing physicist one day🤞. Thanks Tibees

To be smart enough is one thing. To love doing it is the most important thing.

As someone who used to hate everything related to math i had the same fear when i had to decide which carrer to study, finally i decided physics, im in 4th semester and im having so much struggles but thats is not the important, as the time was passing i started to realize the beauty of math and physics, i love art and trust me i was able 1to find art on math and physics, you just have to believe that on yourself.

Talk about illegal ways of getting e-books 😜

Smart enough is not enough nowadays. If you are not the top guy, you are literally wasting time being mediocre even if you are just some random experiments being Postdoc or correcting papers of undergrad or whatever. And then you slog away your life being an assistant lecturer or whatever shit position it is. There is so much competition in Academia that you need to be in the top of your game which is why many end up going to banking/finance which is a shame.

A great video to start my third semester on physics!

I am not smart. But i am curious to know.

As a student in my first master's year studying Astrophysics, I think that yes, everybody could do that but you just need to love what you are doing. Of course it will be difficult, as you say it requires a lot of discipline. For the mathematics point of view, I think it is important to enjoy math in a physical point of view. But if you don't like pure mathematics it is not a big problem, I've never enjoyed pure differential geometry for example but I love its application in general relativity. For every of you that love physics, don't think too much, just follow what you want to do in your life

Am in first year of physics, unfortunately I wished I didnt sleep through math in the past, my math skills are definitely showing right now... Oh well

My sincere preoccupation is not whether I'm smart enough or not, but if I'll be able to compete with those who are WAY smarter than me. Will I be left out of good jobs and end up doing the stuff that nobody wants to do, because the interesting positions are already taken by these geniuses? Will I dedicate 15 years of my life, to end up failing and working in a field that has absolutely nothing to do with what I studied?

Thank you! I needed this.😊

physics is the best subject for me, the best thing about it is I don't have to memorise anything

Yes i am smart enough to do something in physics , i think so.

Why not just try it? I mean you don't really lose anything when you study something for a semester or two and then decide to do something else, do you?

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the subject! Definitely for me.

“Less than legal ways” to get textbooks online!! So, smart and, possibly, a bit deviant. damn!

I am extremely passionate about physics and I’m completely sure that I’ll study physics in College, but I am scared of not being good enugh. I’m a sophomore in High School and I find it very hard to determinate if I am either a good student or not, because I do better than most of my classmates but I don’t get the best grades (at all). Anyways the decision is alredy made and I’m certain that I won’t change my mind happens what happens, so at this point fear is useless. Thank you so much for making this video, it really helped me! Now at least I know where to start

I mean I dont know where to start but I have been dipping in and out of studying physicis since I was 17 and honestly I am obsessed with it, I'm 27 now and I'm much more inquisitive and curious than I was 10 years ago, this is my calling

Thank you Tibees, The links was so helpful to me. Love you.

Math is hard for me. I feel like I understand enough to be fascinated by the actual tests that theoretical physicists come up with to use to figure out fundamentals, or test some aspect of the universe/ on the quantum scale/ quantum computing. I wish I was smart enough to help set up those experiments.

Short answer: NO!

Before even watching the video, it should be : Am I motivated enough to study physics ?

Yep, so many people are harsh on themselves and give up before trying thinking they're not smart enough but the truth of the matter is University is not a place that was intended for geniuses to gather at but rather a place for the average joe to come and learn, and you'll do just fine with effort and dedication.

It would be interesting to see a study where they measure participants IQ before and after they complete their physics degree.

I already know I am not... but I'm gonna watch anyway lmao

I like she was straight forward with the name. Not a single American would post a video with a title like this. Thank you.

My SAT score on the math section was only above average. I didn't get all A's during my high school math and science courses. About to finish my 3rd year on my Applied Math and Statistics degree

Physics and maths are only for geniuses..not for me at least

Anybody can study math and physics but just a few can become Newton and Gauss.

I approach the question from a vocational vantage. How do you expect to earn a living? Are you smart enough depends on one's goals. Does he (or she) want to teach, to do research, to work in an industrial setting, to be an administrator in science? In teaching, there are opportunities from secondary education to university. In good universities, teaching is accompanied by research and/or administrative work. In colleges, teaching is the major occupation along with administration, with much less time for research. Each of these goals demands its own skills. Rarely, does one person excel in all of them, but there are such people. I think that questions of ability are less often the concern. The folk law of hydrodynamics, "water seeks its own level", applies well here. What is often more of concern is inadequate preparation. Everyone should have a fall back position. These are hard times. Because of competition in the marketplace for jobs, various professional organizations set up barriers not entirely designed to protect the public from incompetents, though they do have that function. For example, a physicist in times of scarce job offerings may try to find employment as a teacher or an engineer. He will find the lack of a teaching certificate a high barrier to teaching in secondary education. He will find the lack of an engineering degree or of a P.E.'s certification a serious handicap. If one knows that his abilities place him in the top rank of university physicists, he may probably rely on his professors to find him a place no matter the state of the economy - I suppose! He may take a second major in mathematics. For most physics graduates, a second major in engineering is more practical than one in mathematics, I would suggest. It makes easier getting a P.E. To have a teaching certificate for the worst of times is not a bad idea. During the 1930s, the days of the Great Depression, many fine physicists with published research taught in the City Colleges of New York. I hope my comments will be helpful.

Your videos provide such great motivation! I'd love to hear your perspective on how one can build the right amount of discipline to stay consistent in studies!

It's funny the reason most chose Physics is because they thought they were smart. The whole concept of "smart" is elusive, what exactly does it mean to be smart? Furthermore, is smarts an immutable trait, a result of genes? or is it something to be developed and genetics is not a factor at all? It is definitely possible for it to be both.

IQ is a joke, and it's destroyed my life. It's a memory stress-test. Given enough time, people could easily pass. The trick to it is to not run out of time.

Probably mental stability means more than intelligence. I get depressed often and I messed up my 2nd year of my degree in astrophysics. Be stubborn, ask for help when you need it and you'll do better than me for sure.

Not sure if I’m smart enough since my high school career my mental health was in shambles and I never made good grades but now that I’m better off I make really good grades in all my classes so hopefully it’s something I can do later in my life 🥺

I sure hope so, I have applied and got all my college offers😆

I understand physics in my own way not how teacher teaches

I'm glad you encourage a growth mindset instead of this asinine fixed one where people can be categorized as "bad at math" or "good at math". I fell into the fixed mindset when I first took physics and chemistry and I struggled in it. When I came back to chemistry at least, I was determined to be good at it, and it paid off in dividends.

Thanks Tibees, this helps me a lot. Like your channel and your approach to solving problems Oh and you’re so right about the stereotype about physicists. All I here is: you must be very smart, or: that must be a lot of math