My 1st Semester as Physics Major

My 1st Semester as Undergrad Student

My name is Tarun Ram Kanuri and I'm majoring in Physics (Bachelors) from SRM University AP Andhra Pradesh.

I completed my first semester last month and began our second semester this week. These are my 1st-semester grades:

Name of the course:                        Grade Points: Grade: Credits:

Introduction to Computer programing with Python: 10 O     4

Communicative English:                                              9 A+ 3

Classical Mechanics 1:                                              9 A+ 3

Mathematical Physics:                                                 9 A+ 3

Classical Mechanics Lab:                                            9 A+ 1

Classical Mechanics 1 is pretty much Newtonian Physics and few other topics like general properties of matter.

We did Multivariable Calculus, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra and Complex Numbers in Mathematical Physics.

We did a few basic experiments like Simple and Compound Pendulum, Vernier Callipers, Screw Gauge,

Spring Constant (using Hooke's Law) Velocity of Sound, Viscocity of a liquid (glycerine) and error analysis

using MS Excel and Python in Classical Mechanics Lab.

My Experience so far:

I think my first semester went pretty well. I really started getting a good hang of how Physics students think.

I'm having the experience of my life. It really gave me a ton of confidence. I started believing in myself now.

It made see myself as a Physicist in future. It looks good till now: good grades, confidence, support

(from Professors, family, friends and other well-wishers).

Mechanics is basic yet interesting. It's just what we learned in our high school with a slightly different

notation and a few more extra concepts here and there. It made us extremely strong with Newtonian Mechanics. Mathematical Physics is comparatively new to us. It is relatively more difficult (but I enjoyed this course very much). It is challenging yet interesting. Mechanics Lab is pretty "normal". Nothing extraordinary. Just old regular lab class. We just did some boring experiments.

I'm quite happy about all of this. We have fun almost every class. We are just a class of two students.

My companion wants to pursue a career in Astronomy while I want to be a good Theoretical Physicist.

One of the thing that I'm unhappy about is Gen Ed courses. We need to take 6 Gen Eds in three years

(we study Physics for 3 years unlike Americans). We don't have any choice in this. We need to take all

predetermined Gen Ed courses, one of which is on Indian History (which I'm not much interested in).

Some of these Gen Eds are much irrelevant to us.