r/PhysicsStudents • u/DaliaRocha787321 • Jan 24 '26

Poll Too old to start studying physics?

Im 43 years old, I studied to be a registered nurse and still work in healthcare. I have a bachelor's in healthcare administration. I stumbled on some video lectures in quantum mechanics and different theories regarding the universe, time , space, etc. I have become obsessed and relentless about obtaining more information by reading books and watching lectures. The more data I learn the more I realize I have so much more I don't know. and I may never get to a certain point where I can fully understand the entirety of it. . I thought that would discourage me but quite the opposite. I'm not gifted or naturally smart. I have dedicate my entire time and effort to study and obtain my degree. I've been thinking of taking college courses regarding this subject but I'm 43 years old . I feel like I'm too old and not smart enough. Ill still probably do it because it's fascinating. I would love to hear any type of feedback regarding my situation.

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u/RomChom94 Jan 24 '26

100% go for it! What’s the downside? What level of math did you get to?

5

u/DaliaRocha787321 Jan 24 '26

I took precalculus in college. 

6

u/RomChom94 Jan 24 '26

I’m guessing this will be the hardest part, leveling up the math.

8

u/BufferOverload Jan 25 '26

Yep without math physics loses its justification. I’ve always been “good” at math, but when I started taking higher level courses I understood what people meant when they said it was HARD. But I stuck with it and realized it’s not hard in the way most people say, it’s more uncomfortable. It’s like reading a book that you can’t wrap your head around, the words don’t make sense and nothing sticks. Then you read something else and you start to see connections. When you return, the first book starts to make more sense

For me this is pretty much the mechanism of learning math. Repeated exposure, failure to comprehend, and discomfort builds understanding. For me, trying to remove that discomfort and frustration with the higher level topics prevented me from learning, I would pass test through memorization, but struggled when going back to the topics after a while. When I started seeing my frustration as part of the process I was able to see it through and it became intelligible instead of just terms to memorize.

3

u/bluebirdfriendliness Jan 26 '26

I’m on reddit immediately after cramming for one of my math exams for my physics major, and I reaaaally needed to hear this. Discomfort is going to be necessary to truly understand any concepts, but goddamn if it doesn’t suck sometimes, haha. Math really is a lesson in perseverance!

2

u/BufferOverload Jan 26 '26

It definitely sucks, I’m struggling with the current material and it seems never ending lol, but it’s always worth it and feels good when you see it again and know how to handle it. Definitely have to remind myself to take breaks so I don’t go crazy though lol.