What was the hardest part about becoming a scientist.

Question: What was the hardest part about becoming a scientist.
- Keywords:
  education,
  personal,
  preference
Asked by to Amelia, Clem, Izzy, Sarah on 17 Mar 2014. This question was also asked by .
- Amelia Frizell-Armitage answered on 17 Mar 2014:
  
  Good question! When I think about my journey to get here I can’t think of a particularly difficult moment, I think I just had to work hard at all times. For example to do the A-levels I wanted I had to work hard at GCSE science and maths. Then to get into university I had to make sure I got good enough grades at A-level. Then I had to make sure I got a really good mark in my degree in order to be a researcher.
  
  If I had to chose one part that was the hardest I would say it was making the change from being at university where you are taught things about science, to actually doing my own research. When you do your own research no body knows the answer to the questions that you have, it is your job to find those answers yourself. It isn’t like at school where if you are unsure of something you can just ask the teacher! This can be pretty scary as sometimes it is hard to know what experiment will tell you the answer, but it is also very cool to know that when you do find the answer you will be the first person in the world to know it!
- Sarah Harvey answered on 17 Mar 2014:
  
  The first part that I found really hard was Chemistry A-level! I definitely preferred Biology and Geography and I find it difficult to remember things like all the reaction conditions in Chemistry! I had to work really hard when revising and remember sitting in the dentist waiting room getting my Mum to test me on my Chemistry notes!
  
  Apart from that I agree with Amelia, you just need to work hard and be interested in the world around you! A-levels are especially important as they determine which university you can go to.
- Isabel Webb answered on 17 Mar 2014:
  
  I think that the hardest part about becoming a scientist was definitely the exams at my University – especially in my second year. My University had 3 hour long exams, and in my second year I had 8 exams – thats 24 hours worth of exams to do!!! (although I didn’t do them all in one day). As some of these exams I had to write 5 essays in 3 hours – it makes your hand ache a lot at the end of it!
  
  But don’t worry – not all Universities are that mean! And if you pay attention (so if you are interested), you usually are able to learn what you need to.
  
  Doing GCSEs and A levels were hard too, although when I look back they seem easy compared to what I did a few years ago!
  
  It was also hard to decide what area of science I wanted to go into. During 6th form you have to make the big decision of what to study, and then once you get to University, you have to make more decisions on what different courses to study. I was always worried I’d make the wrong choice – but I definitely think I made the right decision to do plant science!
- Clemence Bonnot answered on 17 Mar 2014:
  
  The hardest part becoming a scientist is not becoming a scientist, its right after. their is a lot of work to get a PhD but if you work it is fine you will get it. The most difficult part is after the PhD to find a permanent position. their is not that much permanent job mainly in academia. I you want one you have to work very hard but you also have to chose wisely you first temporary positions and the subjects you will work on. Indeed both people you will work with and the subject you will choose will determine how much you will get results and papers. You can be a good scientist if you are on your own to work and if the subject is very vast you have all the chances to not be able to publish by the end of your contract. Without publications you cannot get hired for new contract and have even less chances to get a permanent job. This is slightly different in private companies where the way you work matters much more than publication… but working their is more often doing applied science (which is great too) than doing basic science.
  So all is mater of choices and decisions making but everything come mostly after the PhD.
- anon answered on 17 Mar 2014:
  
  The hardest part about becoming a scientist is resisting the temptation to work a nice, cosy, well paid job close to home instead 🙂
  
  It took a lot of determination and hard work, but finally i’m working as a researching scientist and i’m happy!

Question: What was the hardest part about becoming a scientist.

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