Physics is not easy, and the learning curve is steep. I found the first two years in NUS Physics to be the toughest—that was when the learning curve was the steepest. Mathematical rigour was emphasised, and this was a significant departure from the style in ‘A’ Level physics. However, after that, I got used to it and things generally became more enjoyable. Eventually, I even had the opportunity to work on my honours project in a topic related to black holes, something I was fascinated about ever since I read about them in some books when I was 12! Overall, my academic journey was a satisfying one and I am sure my course mates have had the same experience!

A physics education in NUS has shaped me in various ways, one of the important ones being the problem-solving skill I have acquired. Given some problem, how do we identify the important details or variables, how do we work with those variables and then interpret the results and draw conclusions. I learn how we can convert physical ideas into mathematics and later interpret the physics of the mathematical results. A university education in physics also subjects one to think very profoundly about what one does. As long as there is deep enough thinking, one will always discover something that is an unknown and be motivated to figure things out. If this process repeats often, perhaps one will well then be on a quest to uncover scientific truths that no one does before. Therefore, think, question, repeat!

Moving forward, I am very fortunate to be able to further my studies in physics in NUS. These are certainly difficult times for graduates. But I believe as we pursue what we are passionate about and let it guide us, everything will become a little easier, in relative terms. I like to share an interesting piece of physics from the book ‘’The Physics of Stars’’ by A.C. Phillips: ‘’On average, each kilogram of the sun generates only 0.2 milliwatt; this is about 10 000 times less than the power density generated by the metabolic activity in the human body.’’ In other words, we are more “powerful” (eh, per unit volume of course) than a typical star!