5th year physics major fed up and discouraged with physics. Is switching to engineering stupid?

Hi all. I’m currently in my 5th year as a physics major. I was originally Bio for 3 semesters and hated it. Had to take an algebra based physics pre-req and LOVED it. Aced the class and switched to Physics major.

I did well in many classes after that.

Physics I: A+
Physics II: B
Calc I: B
Calc II: A+ (set the curve on a couple of exams here)

But I really struggled greatly in D.E. and barely passed. From there, I’ve been miserable, and I’m at my wits end in Quantum Mechanics right now. I can barely comprehend any of the material and struggle immensely with the absurd myriad of riddles that physics homework tends to be.

Meanwhile, I watch friends who I know aren’t terribly bright make it through our tough engineering school. Though some do not get great grades, they get good co-ops that pay very well. I cannot help but be jealous. Additionally, I interned with a company this summer as a product technician, doing mostly fabrication and product assembly in a rapid prototyping facility. The work was very engineering oriented, and I worked closely with engineers. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

I know Engineering is hard too, but I’m fed up with all the theory in Physics and it has not been at all what I thought it would be. It feels like I spend HOURS AND HOURS just trying to simply comprehend the material and don’t get very far. I barely passed physics analytical mechanics, and I don’t think I can pass quantum mechanics.

I don’t know if I’m wasting my time in physics or if I should just stick it through. I’m already so far behind that the idea of switching scares me, but I don’t know what else to do about the fact that I’m hitting a wall this late in the game.

If you switch, how many more semesters would it take you? How much extra would it cost, and would your school let you extend your graduation date that long (public schools may not, since you would be taking up space that could be used for other students)?

The alternative to additional semesters is to finish the physics degree and take practical electives such as a design course. With a degree in physics, an internship as an engineer, and some practical courses you would stand a very good chance of getting an engineering oriented job. Our experience with physics majors at Illinois Tech is that they can indeed get good jobs in industry.