More Than Formulae: Soft Skills Learnt From Studying Physics

Physics has a reputation of being all about numbers and calculations, but there is more to it than meets the eye. It has remained one of the key sciences taught in schools not just because of the relevance of its content, but also due to the range of useful skills that it imparts.

If you find yourself knee-deep in tests and homework, looking for motivation to push on, we are here to help. In this article, we will discuss some of the essential soft skills that you will learn throughout your physics journey.

Memorisation

Having to drill physics concepts and formulae may seem tedious to many a physics student, but it builds on a highly relevant skill in any job – memorisation. From receptionists to doctors, every job has a long list of things that the worker would need to remember. Pilots need to memorise complex flight protocols, lawyers have to know copious amount of case details off the top of their head, and social workers need to remember the various sources of assistance for their cases.

If you end up working in a maths-related profession, like banking or engineering, you may even find yourself memorising formulae all over again! So, the next time that you start pulling your hair out at a particularly complex concept to memorise, remember that it is training your brain for future success.

Still, if you need help understanding the tougher concepts, there is no shame in asking for help. Do not hesitate to sign up for physics tuition classes, as they can get you up to speed with your studies.

Critical analysis

If you have ever seen a particularly challenging application question in your physics exam, you probably know where this point is going. Often times, questions throw you a bunch of information. You are then expected to make sense of it, sieve out the important bits, evaluate it, and come to a conclusion. This form of deductive reasoning can serve you well in many jobs, as it attunes you to the important data, as well as the logical processes needed to analyse it.

Similarly, physics teaches you the scientific process, where you (essentially) form a hypothesis, find evidence, and use it to come to a conclusion. In fact, this directly comes into play for physics practicals, where you have to plan and execute an experiment by yourself. In essence, you are being trained to find solutions in a systematic manner, something that you will need to do in any job.

Conveying information

After analysing the data and reaching a conclusion, the next step is to develop your answer. Crafting a compelling and reasonable response may seem straightforward sometimes, but there are situations where the way you present an idea changes its meaning entirely. You may have experienced this first-hand if you failed to use specific keywords, or got called out for trying to rephrase a carefully worded definition.

In several professions, the way which you communicate your ideas is pivotal to your success. This is especially apparent in jobs where you deal with clients directly. While you will probably not be using physics jargon with them, you will need to watch your words to deliver the appropriate message. For those looking to pursue further studies, these skills would be directly transferable when writing academic papers.

Working under pressure

Coming up with solutions when under pressure is a key skill for any working adult. Encroaching deadlines and dealing with superiors is not unlike doing a timed paper under the watchful eye of a teacher. Learning to keep your cool, process information, and deliver results under such conditions can help you excel in any working environment. Besides, being able to stay calm in intense circumstances can be good for your mental health as well.

It is plain to see that learning physics goes beyond merely content and calculations. If you want some help to excel in this meaningful subject, you can enrol in our secondary school and JC physics tuition classes taught by a competent, first-class tutor.