Do I Really Need Physics?

[Candyflosslove]

I'm in grade 11 and ever since I chose subjects, my family always told me that taking physics "opens doors" to every other career in life. The thing is, I've been hating it ever since I chose it. I only get C's and I don't think that's good at all. Do you think I should drop it? Considering that for what I want to do in life, I really only need biology- which I'm already taking.

[Jennykenny]

As someone who had to choose at fourteen whether to drop 'sciences' or not, in favour of History, French etc, I couldn't get away from it fast enough. Pick what you enjoy and it will take to to a career you will love.

[Old_Geezer]

It's your life, your choices. I think physics is great and it would be (one of the) top of my list for subjects to study, but if you are just tolerating it,drifting along, and not doing well then maybe a change could help you.

If you need biology then you are presumably looking at a science career of some sort. Additional understanding of other science fields can only help.

Was there a particular subject you'd prefer and think you could catch up on ? Or do you think it might be better to try to get more involved, accept it as not being ideal for a couple of years (life is rarely ideal) and see if you can get a good science foundation to build a career on ?

[IggyB]

Be csreful of thinking you only need biology for your chosen field. Many roles that seem like they only need biology actually require physics as well. Veterinary medicine springs to mind.

[grasscarp]

I dropped physics and chemistry. Achieved a commercial pilots licence so this didn't hold me back.

[woofgang]

can you choose without the consent of your parents?

[Arksided]

I enjoyed Physics it can be applied to other aspect in life that you may need. I also passed (GCSE level grade A) in biology although not needed for my occupation at any point, it's good to know. It's your call obviously but I could never get my head around Chemistry which I dropped but do regret.

Good luck to you whatever you decide.

[Prudie]

Are you from US? is Grade 11 like our year 11? If so in UK you'd be doing your GCSEs this year and then choosing A levels so not the right time to drop now but OK after the summer. What do you want to do that needs Biology but not Physics? As mentioned the sciences tend to complement each other in further Ed or career choice. i don't agree physics opens door to everything, I'd say Maths but that's my view because most subjects, even things like politics and sociology, use maths at their higher level.

[Candyflosslove]

Wow, thank you all so much for your responses, they're so helpful!
My parents support me in any decision I make and I'm from South Africa.
I want to study Audiology, and apparently you really only need Biology but physics would be beneficial.
Thanks again!

[EDDIE51]

Physics is the most basic of the Science subjects, it affects all the others.
I would keep on with it. To get on the Uni course you want, Physics as well as Biology will definitely be an advantage. As you study at higher levels you will begin to see how all the sciences are interrelated.

[EDDIE51]

I would add that Audiology is almost certainly as much if not more Physics than Biology.
It involves the study of sound and how it is produced and propagated that is pure Physics !

[Old_Geezer]

I'm no expert but suspect audiology would be most closely related to medicine and hearing issues ? In which case the physics is likely to be foundation/background knowledge, and human (or maybe animal ?) biology the main part of the training ?

[KARL]

Anyone who says that knowledge of, and a qualification in, physics is valuable is correct because it is at the very core of everything that is "hard" science (as the use of the word was/is generally construed but not in the same way as in Political Science). Not everyone likes the academic subject and quite a few are distinctly unsuited to the study of it - they should take up something else that suits their particular abilities.