The STEM Major

The STEM Major

Helping STEM Majors Succeed and Land a Job!

  1. 08/10/2025

    If you are Behind in a physics class and must pass it, this is what you do!

    If You Are Behind in a Physics Class and Must Pass It, This Is What You Do! So you’re halfway through the semester, you’re behind on assignments, the exams are closing in—and you feel like you’re drowning. Don’t panic. You can still turn this around, but only if you stop trying to do everything and start doing the right things. Passing physics when you’re behind is about strategy, not luck. Here’s exactly what to do. 1. Stop pretending you can catch up overnight.You can’t relearn five chapters in one weekend. But you can rebuild the foundation those chapters depend on. Start by identifying the topics that appear most often—Newton’s laws, energy, momentum, and circuits—and make those your core focus. 2. Learn directly from your textbook.Forget random YouTube videos. Go straight to the examples in your textbook. Cover the solution with paper, work through it yourself, then compare. This is how you teach your brain to think like a physicist. 3. Focus on problem types, not random practice.Every exam problem falls into a category: forces, energy, motion, or rotation. Organize your notes by type and practice two examples from each every day. You’ll start seeing patterns that make new problems easier. 4. Rebuild your notes into a “cheat sheet.”Even if you can’t use it on the exam, build one. Write down every formula, law, and unit with a one-line explanation. The act of organizing this sheet will cement the material in your memory. 5. Ask questions that reveal understanding.Instead of asking “Can you show me how to do this problem?” ask “Why does this law apply here and not that one?” Professors notice the difference—and they respect effort. That can help when grading time comes. 6. Show up to every office hour.Even if you have nothing to ask, go. Professors will see that you’re trying to improve. Many will offer guidance, bonus opportunities, or partial credit advice once they know you care. 7. Work with someone who’s passing.Find a classmate who understands the material and offer to swap notes or review problems together. Teaching moments will help you both. Isolation kills motivation—connection builds it. 8. Solve fewer problems, but solve them deeply.Don’t try to finish 100 problems. Pick 10 and dissect them. Understand every force, variable, and assumption. Exams don’t test memorization—they test reasoning. 9. Prioritize your remaining exams.Check your syllabus and calculate what grades you need on the remaining assignments and tests. Focus your time accordingly. Work backwards from the numbers—it gives you clarity and control. 10. Don’t waste energy on panic.Stress burns time. Structure builds progress. Create a schedule with two focused hours of study per day and one day of rest per week. You’ll make more progress calmly than you ever could in chaos. If you’re serious about passing and rebuilding your study habits for the long term, I’ve written full guides that show you how to study from your textbook effectively, build confidence, and learn physics the way professionals actually do. 📚 Get your copy today:https://the-stem-major-shop.fourthwall.com/ If this post helped you get back on track or gave you a plan, consider leaving a small tip—it helps me keep creating free educational content for students who need it most. 💸 Tips appreciated:Venmo: https://venmo.com/authorjondtPayPal: https://paypal.me/authorjondCashApp: https://cash.app/$authorjondt 🎓 Watch more study help and motivational content:YouTube Channel — @TheSTEMmajor You don’t need to be perfect—you just need a plan. Physics rewards persistence more than talent. Start today, and you’ll still walk out with the grade you need.

    12 min

  2. 08/10/2025

    What should you do if you are struggling in physics halfway through the semester

    What Should You Do If You Are Struggling in Physics Halfway Through the Semester? If you’re halfway through your physics course and your grades—or your confidence—are slipping, don’t panic. You’re not alone. Physics is one of the most misunderstood subjects because it requires you to think both mathematically and conceptually at the same time. The good news is that it’s never too late to turn things around if you start now and approach it strategically. 1. Stop cramming—start rebuilding foundations.When you’re behind, it’s tempting to jump straight into current material. But in physics, everything builds on earlier chapters. Take two days to review the basics—units, vectors, and Newton’s laws. Once your foundation stabilizes, the new topics suddenly start making sense. 2. Read your textbook before rewatching lectures.Videos can help, but your textbook shows you how to think like a physicist. Focus on the example problems—cover the solutions and work through them on your own. Then compare your process. That single habit will fix more confusion than watching hours of tutorials. 3. Focus on one topic at a time.Physics compounds. Don’t jump between chapters. Choose one concept (like energy, torque, or momentum), master it fully, then move on. Clarity grows in layers. 4. Rebuild your problem-solving method.Every physics problem follows a process: Draw a clear diagram. Identify knowns and unknowns. Choose the governing equation. Check units and logic. Solve slowly and check direction or sign.When you slow down and systematize your process, you’ll start scoring points even when your final answer is off. 5. Ask better questions.Instead of saying, “I don’t get this problem,” ask, “Which law or assumption am I missing here?” Professors and tutors respond far better to specific questions—they can pinpoint the gap instantly. 6. Practice daily, not desperately.Do five problems a day, every day. Don’t aim for perfection—aim for exposure. Your brain needs repetition and time to connect ideas. By the time exams come, you’ll have momentum. 7. Use office hours and tutoring centers.Professors want to see effort. If you show up consistently, they’ll often give subtle hints, partial credit opportunities, or guidance that can completely change your trajectory. 8. Rewrite your notes weekly.When you rewrite by hand, you reprocess what you’ve learned. Organize formulas, definitions, and concepts in your own words. This process converts panic into structure. 9. Sleep and reset your schedule.Fatigue amplifies confusion. Physics requires clear, focused thinking—something you don’t get after midnight. Fix your schedule before trying to fix your grades. 10. Don’t quit halfway through the storm.Everyone who masters physics has felt lost at some point. The difference between those who fail and those who pass is endurance. Keep showing up, keep rebuilding, and you’ll be shocked at how much you start to understand in the final month. If you want structured help rebuilding your study habits, I’ve written full guides for STEM majors on how to learn physics and math efficiently using textbook-based methods that actually work in college. 📚 Get your copy today:https://the-stem-major-shop.fourthwall.com/ If this post gave you a push to stay in the game, consider leaving a small tip—it helps me keep creating free educational resources for students like you. 💸 Tips appreciated:Venmo: https://venmo.com/authorjondtPayPal: https://paypal.me/authorjondCashApp: https://cash.app/$authorjondt 🎓 Watch free study lessons and advice:YouTube Channel — @TheSTEMmajor Remember: physics doesn’t get easier—it gets clearer. Once you see the logic behind it, everything finally starts to connect.

    20 min

  3. 07/10/2025

    Why It Is Not a Good Idea for STEM Majors to Use Khan Academy or ChatGPT When Stuck on Problems

    Let’s be honest—when you’re stuck on a problem at 2 a.m. and the due date is looming, it’s tempting to type your question into ChatGPT or pull up a Khan Academy video. It feels productive. It feels like learning. But for STEM majors, that shortcut often becomes a trap—and it’s the main reason many students never build the independence or problem-solving skills that real scientists and engineers need. 1. You skip the struggle that creates understanding.In math, physics, and engineering, the process of figuring it out yourself is the entire point. When you jump to a video or an AI answer too soon, you rob your brain of the chance to make connections and build intuition. You might finish your homework faster—but you’ll understand less, and that catches up fast on exams and real-world projects. 2. You start memorizing steps instead of mastering reasoning.Khan Academy and AI tools are great at walking you through procedures. But STEM isn’t about following recipes—it’s about understanding why each step works. Real learning happens when you derive the logic on your own, not when you copy someone else’s pattern. 3. You get addicted to explanations.Every time you skip the hard part, you reinforce the habit of seeking an external solution instead of developing internal problem-solving endurance. The more you rely on videos or chatbots, the weaker your academic instincts become. 4. AI and video lessons don’t know what you misunderstand.They give generic answers. Your brain’s confusion might come from a simple conceptual gap two chapters back—but AI won’t know that. Only wrestling with the material and checking your textbook can reveal where the misunderstanding really started. 5. Professors design problems that test reasoning, not repetition.YouTube and AI tools often show “typical” problems. Exams rarely are. Real professors design questions that twist, combine, or stretch concepts to see if you actually understand. Memorized methods will fail you there—reasoning won’t. 6. You stop learning how to read your textbook.Textbooks teach you how professionals think. Relying on videos makes you passive. Reading equations, interpreting derivations, and decoding technical writing are essential career skills—and they only come from practice. 7. The real world doesn’t have step-by-step tutorials.In the workplace, you can’t pause and watch a video every time you’re unsure. Companies pay engineers and scientists who can figure it out when no guide exists. That’s what college is training you to do—if you let it. Khan Academy and ChatGPT aren’t evil—they’re just tools. But tools are only powerful when you already know what you’re doing. Using them too early replaces understanding with imitation. If you want to build real mastery—the kind that employers notice and professors respect—learn how to study directly from your textbook, how to struggle productively, and how to convert that frustration into clarity. That’s what separates a degree-holder from a true professional. 📚 Get your copy today:https://the-stem-major-shop.fourthwall.com/ If this helped you see your study habits differently, consider leaving a small tip—it helps me keep creating free content for students who want to learn the right way. 💸 Tips appreciated:Venmo: https://venmo.com/authorjondtPayPal: https://paypal.me/authorjondCashApp: https://cash.app/$authorjondt 🎓 Watch real STEM study strategies:YouTube Channel — @TheSTEMmajor Shortcuts teach speed. Textbooks teach mastery. Choose mastery—and you’ll never need the shortcuts again.

    20 min

  4. 07/10/2025

    Why Hiring Companies Prefer a Masters Degree to a PhD

    Why Hiring Companies Prefer a Master’s Degree to a PhD It sounds backwards, right? You’d think having more education would automatically make you more employable. But in the real world, it doesn’t always work that way—especially in STEM fields. Many hiring managers quietly prefer candidates with a Master’s degree over those with a PhD, and here’s why. 1. PhDs are trained to research, not deliver.A PhD program teaches you how to ask deep questions, publish papers, and push the edge of knowledge—but not necessarily how to meet deadlines or produce results under business constraints. Companies want people who can apply knowledge efficiently, not explore it endlessly. 2. Master’s degrees are built for practicality.A good Master’s program bridges academia and industry. It focuses on the tools, programming languages, and technologies that companies actually use. You learn how to implement, test, and scale—skills that directly transfer into the workplace. 3. PhDs are often overqualified for entry-level jobs.Many employers assume someone with a PhD won’t stay long in a standard role. They expect higher pay, more autonomy, and research freedom. That makes hiring them risky. A Master’s graduate, on the other hand, fits neatly into mid-level technical roles and tends to stick around longer. 4. Businesses move faster than academia.Corporate projects operate on weeks, not years. A PhD student might spend five years proving one concept. A company needs solutions next quarter. Hiring managers value adaptability and speed more than depth of specialization. 5. PhDs are often too narrow.In a PhD, you focus intensely on one topic. In industry, you need to pivot constantly between projects, technologies, and problems. A Master’s program provides a broader, more flexible foundation. 6. Master’s graduates are easier to train.Companies love people they can mold into their systems. PhDs often arrive with established workflows and academic habits that don’t translate well into production or management environments. 7. Cost matters.It’s not just salary. Employers know onboarding, benefits, and retention costs add up. Hiring a PhD can be expensive—and if that person leaves in six months for a better offer, it’s a loss. 8. The real world values teamwork over titles.PhD programs emphasize independent work. Industry emphasizes collaboration, project management, and communication. Those are skills often built better in Master’s programs or through direct work experience. 9. A Master’s signals balance.It shows you have advanced technical skill and understand when to stop researching and start building. That’s exactly what industry demands: execution with intelligence. 10. Companies care about output, not degrees.Ultimately, employers hire results, not credentials. A Master’s graduate who can deliver code, data models, or engineering solutions on day one will always outshine a PhD who’s still designing experiments to prove a theory. So if you’re wondering whether to stay in academia or step into the workforce, remember this: the world doesn’t reward endless studying—it rewards applied problem solving. If you want to learn how to turn your STEM education into a real career and market your degree effectively, I’ve built resources that teach you how to stand out to employers and transition from student to professional with confidence. 📚 Get your copy today:https://the-stem-major-shop.fourthwall.com/ If this helped you rethink your path or gave you some direction, consider leaving a small tip—it helps me keep creating free career and study content for students and graduates like you. 💸 Tips appreciated:Venmo: https://venmo.com/authorjondtPayPal: https://paypal.me/authorjondCashApp: https://cash.app/$authorjondt 🎓 Watch free STEM and career strategy videos:YouTube Channel — @TheSTEMmajor A Master’s degree doesn’t make you smarter—it makes you ready. And readiness is what employers actually pay for.

    18 min

  5. 07/10/2025

    What is easier? A Medical Degree or a STEM degree?

    What Is Easier — A Medical Degree or a STEM Degree? People love to argue about which is harder: becoming a doctor or earning a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. The truth is—they’re both hard, but for completely different reasons. The kind of “hard” you can handle depends on the type of brain you have and what you want your life to look like after graduation. 1. Medicine is memorization and endurance.Medical school is a marathon of information. Anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, and clinical procedures—it’s like drinking from a fire hose for four years straight. You don’t get to stop and think deeply about why something works; you just have to know that it works and apply it immediately. On top of that, there’s residency, long hours, and emotional stress that most STEM students never experience. 2. STEM is logic and persistence.STEM majors face a different kind of challenge. Instead of memorizing facts, you have to understand abstract systems—math proofs, circuit logic, code algorithms, physical models, or chemical mechanisms. You can’t brute-force your way through it. You have to think, fail, and rebuild your understanding until it finally clicks. STEM degrees test your patience with complexity, not just your ability to remember information. 3. Medicine has a longer but clearer path.Once you get into medical school, you know what to expect—four years of classes, exams, residency, licensing, and eventually, a guaranteed professional title. STEM doesn’t give that kind of security. You can graduate in four years and still feel completely lost about what job fits your skills. 4. STEM demands creativity; medicine demands precision.Engineers, physicists, and programmers have to create solutions that don’t exist yet. Doctors have to apply solutions that already exist without error. Both are demanding, but in opposite ways. One rewards imagination, the other rewards discipline. 5. They attract different types of minds.Medical students tend to love structure and human connection. STEM students tend to love logic, independence, and problem-solving. Neither side is smarter—it’s just a difference in wiring. So which is easier? The one that fits your brain better.If you love patterns, problem-solving, and theoretical reasoning—STEM will challenge you, but it will feel right. If you love structure, direct human impact, and real-world responsibility—medicine will push you, but it will feel purposeful. In the end, both paths build extraordinary people. But only one will make you feel alive while doing it. If you want to master how to study effectively for any STEM discipline—or prepare for professional-level learning in medicine, engineering, or physics—I’ve created complete study systems and guides that teach you how to build real comprehension and consistency. 📚 Get your copy today:https://the-stem-major-shop.fourthwall.com/ If this helped you reflect on your career path or mindset, consider leaving a small tip—it keeps me creating free content for students who need it most. 💸 Tips appreciated:Venmo: https://venmo.com/authorjondtPayPal: https://paypal.me/authorjondCashApp: https://cash.app/$authorjondt 🎓 Watch more insights and study talks:YouTube Channel — @TheSTEMmajor Both medicine and STEM demand brilliance—but in their own languages. Choose the one your mind already speaks.

    28 min

  6. 07/10/2025

    The Top Ten Reasons Only 1 out of 20 CS, Math, Physics, and ENGR Majors on YT Graduate and Get a Job

    The Top Ten Reasons Only 1 out of 20 CS, Math, Physics, and ENGR Majors on YouTube Graduate and Get a Job Every semester, thousands of students start STEM degrees with big dreams—only a handful finish strong, and even fewer land real jobs afterward. Why? Because success in these fields isn’t about intelligence—it’s about discipline, habits, and reality. Here are the top ten reasons why most never make it past the finish line. 1. They treat YouTube like a teacher instead of a tool.Watching others solve problems doesn’t make you an engineer. If you never open your textbook or write out full derivations, you’re learning spectator math. Real understanding only comes from struggle and correction. 2. They chase shortcuts instead of systems.Copying solutions, using AI to finish homework, or watching “exam hacks” videos may get you through a class—but not through an interview. Employers see the difference immediately. 3. They underestimate how cumulative STEM really is.If you don’t fully grasp algebra, calculus will break you. If you don’t master calculus, physics and engineering will bury you. Every course depends on the last one—it’s a ladder, not a menu. 4. They think hard work means long hours.Ten hours of distracted studying isn’t progress. Two hours of deep, uninterrupted focus is. STEM rewards precision, not panic. 5. They avoid failure instead of analyzing it.Every wrong answer contains a lesson. But most students throw it away, blame the professor, or move on. The ones who improve dissect every mistake until it never happens again. 6. They don’t build a professional mindset early.Showing up late, skipping lectures, and cramming before exams are habits that carry into adulthood. The students who treat college like a job get jobs. The rest get regret. 7. They isolate themselves.STEM is a team sport. The smartest students study in groups, explain concepts to others, and learn how to communicate complex ideas clearly—exactly what the industry requires. 8. They ignore the real world.Too many students think GPA guarantees employment. It doesn’t. You need projects, internships, or a portfolio that proves you can apply what you’ve learned. 9. They think the degree is the goal.Graduation isn’t success—it’s permission to start. What matters is what you can actually build, code, design, or calculate when the textbook isn’t open. 10. They never learn how to learn.College doesn’t reward memorization—it rewards adaptability. The best graduates know how to teach themselves anything, whether it’s a new programming language or an unfamiliar equation. If you want to be part of the 1 in 20 who make it through, you have to stop consuming and start creating. Read your books. Solve real problems. Treat every class like professional training, not just credit hours. If you’re ready to learn how to study, think, and build like a professional engineer or scientist, I’ve created resources that show you exactly how to do it—step by step. 📚 Get your copy today:https://the-stem-major-shop.fourthwall.com/ If this post spoke to you or inspired you to take your education seriously, consider leaving a small tip—it helps me keep creating real, no-nonsense resources for future STEM professionals. 💸 Tips appreciated:Venmo: https://venmo.com/authorjondtPayPal: https://paypal.me/authorjondCashApp: https://cash.app/$authorjondt 🎓 Watch free lessons and motivation for STEM majors:YouTube Channel — @TheSTEMmajor The truth is simple: STEM degrees don’t fail students—students fail to treat them like the professional training they are. Learn the difference, and you’ll never be average again.

    19 min

  7. 07/10/2025

    The Best Study Routine for College STEM Majors

    If you’re majoring in a STEM field—engineering, math, physics, or computer science—you’ve probably noticed that what worked in high school doesn’t work anymore. Cramming fails, memorization fades, and sleep deprivation only makes the formulas blur together. The truth is, STEM requires a system, not just effort. You can’t brute force understanding—you have to build it daily. Here’s the routine that actually works. 1. Study before lecture, not after.Skim the next section of your textbook before class. Read the example problems and glance at the formulas. You don’t have to understand everything—you just need familiarity. When the professor explains it, your brain connects it twice as fast. 2. Treat your classes like professional meetings.Show up early, take clean notes, and ask precise questions. You’re training your brain for the discipline and communication that every engineer and scientist needs later in life. 3. Study every day, not just before exams.STEM builds like a staircase. Skip a step, and you trip later. One hour of focused study per day beats an eight-hour panic session before a test. Your consistency determines your GPA, not your IQ. 4. Use the textbook as your main teacher.Videos, AI, and notes are great supplements, but your textbook is the foundation. Learn directly from the worked examples and re-derive every equation by hand. Reading math is a skill—and it’s one you’ll need forever. 5. Create a “problem-solving hour.”Pick one hour each day to work on problems without distractions. No music, no multitasking. During that time, your brain learns to think deeply—just like it will have to on exams or in your career. 6. Review your mistakes weekly.Keep a “mistake log.” Write down every concept or problem you got wrong and what caused it—misunderstanding, carelessness, or formula recall. Reviewing that list weekly will prevent you from repeating the same errors. 7. Sleep, eat, and move like an athlete.Your brain is physical—it needs fuel, rest, and circulation. Pulling all-nighters is not “grind culture.” It’s slow self-destruction. Treat your brain like an expensive machine—it will reward you with clarity and focus. 8. End each week with a reflection.Ask yourself: What did I actually learn this week? Write a short paragraph summarizing each course’s key concept. This single habit separates top students from the rest because it forces you to connect everything. STEM isn’t about working harder—it’s about working with precision, rhythm, and purpose. Once you build the right study routine, you’ll stop surviving classes and start mastering them. If you want a structured plan that shows exactly how to study, read textbooks effectively, and prepare for real exams, my full collection of STEM guides and cheat sheets can help you get there faster. 📚 Get your copy today:https://the-stem-major-shop.fourthwall.com/ If this post gave you clarity or motivation, consider leaving a small tip—it helps keep educational content free for students around the world. 💸 Tips appreciated:Venmo: https://venmo.com/authorjondtPayPal: https://paypal.me/authorjondCashApp: https://cash.app/$authorjondt 🎓 Watch free study strategy and motivational videos:YouTube Channel — @TheSTEMmajor Success in STEM isn’t about being gifted—it’s about being consistent. Build the routine, and your results will build themselves.

    27 min

  8. 07/10/2025

    The Best Resource for a College STEM Major

    The Best Resource for a College STEM Major If you’re a college STEM major—engineering, math, physics, or computer science—you’ve probably noticed something: nobody ever teaches you how to learn. Professors assume you already know how to study, read, and retain dense material. But here’s the truth—most students don’t. The difference between surviving a STEM degree and mastering it comes down to the resources you use and how you use them. So what’s the best resource? It’s not YouTube, it’s not ChatGPT, and it’s not your lecture notes. The best resource you have is the textbook—if you know how to use it. 1. The textbook is the only consistent source of truth.Professors change every semester. Homework platforms update. Videos disappear. But your textbook remains the same structured, peer-reviewed foundation used by experts worldwide. Everything your professor tests you on is buried inside it—often word for word. 2. Every problem you’ll face has been solved there already.Textbooks don’t just give answers—they show the patterns behind every topic. If you can follow the examples and understand each step, you’re already studying like a graduate student. 3. You can learn faster alone than in lecture.Once you know how to read a textbook efficiently—by focusing on examples, equations, and summaries—you’ll realize that most lectures are just someone reading slides from that same book. Learn directly from the source, and you’ll stay months ahead. 4. Pair the textbook with practice.Learning STEM is like lifting weights—you need resistance. Solve as many problems as possible from the book before resorting to online help. That’s how real understanding builds. 5. Supplement with AI and simulation tools.Once you’ve mastered the textbook approach, AI tools can become powerful study partners—generating new problems, summarizing explanations, or checking your logic. But they only work well after you understand the fundamentals. Textbooks train your mind to think like a scientist. They build focus, precision, and structure—the same skills employers look for in every professional setting. If you want to learn how to use textbooks effectively, build efficient study systems, and actually master your STEM degree instead of barely surviving it, I’ve written complete guides and cheat sheets that show you exactly how to do it. 📚 Get your copy today:https://the-stem-major-shop.fourthwall.com/ If this helped you realize what’s been missing in your study routine, consider leaving a small tip—it helps me keep creating new educational resources for STEM students worldwide. 💸 Tips appreciated:Venmo: https://venmo.com/authorjondtPayPal: https://paypal.me/authorjondCashApp: https://cash.app/$authorjondt 🎓 Watch free study and motivation videos:YouTube Channel — @TheSTEMmajor You don’t need more tools—you need mastery of the one resource that already contains every answer. Learn to use your textbook, and you’ll never feel lost in a STEM course again.

    14 min
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Helping STEM Majors Succeed and Land a Job!

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