The 3 BEST and WORST Things About Studying Physics at Warwick

The Best:

1. Physics – Without a doubt, the best thing about doing a physics degree at Warwick is the subject itself and being able to do it at a university that teaches it so well. The vast majority of physics students take the subject because they love doing physics. I get to study topics like Einstein’s relativity, quantum phenomena and nuclear physics just to name a few! Studying at Warwick means I get to be taught by world-leading physicists in their field who love the subject as much as me.

2. Labs – Labs is the part of the week when I get my hands on some real physics equipment. The university has tonnes of state-of-the-art research equipment and all the experimental setups a physicist could want. We get to use telescopes and even x-ray machines.

3. Warwick – One of the best things about studying at Warwick is knowing that I am studying a subject like physics at one of the best institutions in the UK. This means I study with the best facilities and get fantastic opportunities I wouldn’t otherwise have.

But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows:

The Worst:

1. Workload -The physics department is not afraid of testing the limits of us physics students. It is already one of the most intense degrees you can do, and with all the societies and activities on top of the work, there’s little time left in the week for much else. I don’t think I’ve watched Netflix since arriving!

2. Labs… again – Yes, Yes, I know, Labs was in the ‘Best’ section as well. That’s because it is a perfect balance of some of the most fun parts of physics, and the most challenging. I think labs are probably the most stressful three hours of my week, and any physics student will tell you that the termly lab reports are the bane of their study life.

Covid – And now the elephant in the room… Covid. Covid has had a massive impact on what doing a degree here at Warwick looks like. All lectures were moved online, which does mean you can literally roll out of bed and be at your “lecture” in 30 seconds, but in-person lectures are much better in my opinion. Also, the university’s nightlife was all but destroyed by covid restrictions… none of the usual cinemas, pubs, clubs or society socials are open. As of writing this, covid has mostly gone away, there are still mask requirements and some labs aren’t fully functional yet but for the most part university life has returned to normal.