<p>I am currently a sophomore and I switched my major from anthropology to physics because I did pretty well at physics 1 and calc 1 and it excited my curiousity mor than anthropology did and I just genuinely like it. However, in this past fall semester I managed to tank my near 4.0 GPA by getting a C in physics 2 and failing calc 3. I couldn't take physics 2 over again, but I could and did take calc 3 again this past spring semester and ended up with a B in it. In fact I brought up my GPA substantially this past semester, but I am still worried about that C I have in physics 2 and I am also worried because I didn't do too well in calc 2 either (ended up with a C).<br>
I will admit that I didn't do well this past fall semester because I didn't try, at all really. But I did try this past spring and I did pretty well. However, I'm concerned that even if I did try even harder next year in physics 3 and ended up with at the very least a b if it would even matter to grad schools that I improved. What do you think, should I go back to anthropology where I have a 4.0 in major GPA or should I not give up on the subject that stimulates my interest the most?</p>
<p>Stay in physics and try hard. Your upper-division physics classes will probably carry more weight. Idk how grad school will look at my grades cuz they’re all over the place, but I’d suggest you start trying somewhat. I didn’t try in Calc I, II, ODE’s and got C’s in all. Got an A in Calc III without trying just cuz it was interesting. Didnt try in upper DE too hard but more than ODE (got a B) and I tried harder than all combined for PDE’s and came out with an A. But still didnt try that hard, although it was my hardest class. Now I’m trying really hard for Real Analysis to get an A. I’m doing a physics minor and have gotten B’s and A’s and since you want to go to grad school kick some serious butt in the rest of your classes. I thought about switching to Political Science cuz it’d be easier and somewhat interesting, but I think you should stay in something that stimulates you. Computational math really made things boring for me, I find proofs more interesting and am somewhat talented.</p>
<p>My honest answer? I think you should maybe just minor in physics. If the intro sequence really put you through your paces, you will be blown away by what comes after (unless you had some unusually hard intro sequence, what textbook did you use?).</p>
<p>I’m not saying you don’t have what it takes, my first attempt at college was a disaster and I’m head-and-shoulders-and-then-some above where I was then. I wasn’t willing to put in the requisite hard work and I had no interest in math the first time around.</p>
<p>Ask yourself if you still like the subject. if so, then persevering is a good idea. Graduate schools take the last two years into account more than the first two so if you improve, you should be OK. As the others mentioned, you need to work hard to do well in physics. It is simply a challenging major. Take advantage of faculty office hours and find a study group to supplement your individual studying. I tell my students to read the material before coming to my lectures so they can better understand what I am talking about and ask questions.</p>
<p>You are doing fine. Stay in the major.</p>
<p>Drive vs Talent is always a topic of debate. Obviously some natural talent is needed, especially in problem solving. However, I think pure dedication makes up for most sizable gaps. I struggled in lower level math (algebra–>pre-calc) but excelled in university calculus. The difference was that I stopped pretending to be that kid that “never studied” and started being a mature adult. </p>
<p>I think it’s just like the med-school stereotype. “I never study” is exactly what all the top performers want us to think. Sure, they may study less–but they study. </p>
<p>Stop comparing yourself against others and start comparing yourself against the material. Take as much time as you need to truly grasp the concepts. How much time someone else needed is irrelevant. </p>
<p>Cheers</p>