Im in the 8th grade and want to be a mix between a physicist and a chemist. what do i do?

Question

what do i take in high school? what college should i go to? i have mostly a's on my report cards

I would really appreciate any advice that anyone could offer to me; I know I am a little too young but I think it is good to get a head start on things.

Answer 1

The distinction between chemistry and physics is not as rigid as you may think. As you go along, you will start to see that they really are one in the same. Deciding between the two isn't really important for you yet. Your career path for either chemistry or physics will be the same in high school, and even your first few semesters of college.

I'm a chemical engineer, and I have friends who are physical chemists, and some who are chemical physicists. Not to mention, almost all engineers, mathematicians, and scientists started out with a love of physics and/or chemistry in high school. What I'm trying to tell you is that you probably don't even realize the breadth of options available to you yet. Nobody decides in 8th grade that he wants to be a physical chemist doing thermodynamics simulations. But, as you go along, you will have plenty of opportunities to decide what specific scientific problems you want to explore.

So the bottom line is to take math and science in high school. That's where we all started.

Good luck!

Answer 2

when I was a youngster (many years ago) I loved physics, chemistry and maths.
I became a Chemical Engineer which has been a fantastic career! I've never been bored, I've worked around the world and I've also met some fabulously intelligent people who have challenged my own life long learning.

I have often thought if I could start it all again I would still do engineering, but would focus more in the developing areas in biomedical engineering. There is a lot of incredible work being down now to grow replacement body parts, design little machines to replace the heart etc... Although it sounds like medicine, its actually a big part of engineering.

Good luck and I hope where ever you end up you are constantly challenged and rewarded in your work!

(As for colleges - can't help you - I'm in Australia!)

Answer 3

The best advice that I would have for you is to talk to your high school guidance counselor when you get there. He or she will be able to guide you in your career aspirations.

In high school, I would recommend that you take both AP chemistry as well as AP Physics, this is the best way to go in order to get a head start in college. Also I would recommend taking a calculus course to prepare you for the calculus based physics that you would face in your first year of college.

As for what college you should go to, that depends entirely on your preferences and ACT scores. If you are male, I would not recommend going to a science/engineering school simply because the girls there are parking spaces. All the good ones are taken and the rest are either handicapped or way out there. If you are female I would recommend going to an engineering college for exactly that same reason. But honestly it is a serious consideration.

This is a noble thing that you are striving for, once you are in college, you should major in physics and minor in chemistry, while focusing most of your efforts on physical chemistry classes. I know a guy who is doing this exact thing at the school that I am attending.

Good luck.

Answer 4

from a person who screwed around in high school... it is very important to take as many AP classes as possible!! I would have saved soo much time and $ if I would have concidered that as opposed to having fun with friends!

Also, join as many clubs as you have time for, colleges like that.

Answer 5

Try talking to your school counselor that is what they are there for- to help you plan to suceed...Sounds to me like you are on the right road Good luck!

Ask your Principle or Superintendant for guidence if you have no counselor