>>16695835
>Field
Physics
>Subfield
Plasma Physics
>How it started
Did miserable my first year of undergrad, was getting C's and D's and was in danger of failing some of my classes the second semester.
>How it turned around
Talked to one of my professors at the time and he was pretty blunt that I either needed to get my shit together or it wasn't going to go well. Buckled down and pulled my grades up over second year and did well third and fourth year. Went on to grad school and it was very much a repeat of history, was on and off of academic probation for most of my first and second year, but eventually pulled my grades up enough, passed qualifiers, and remained in good academic standing for the rest of my PhD. Got a contract faculty job for three years and I'm starting a tenure-track job this Fall.
>What you had to give up on/sacrifice
Time is the biggest one, I was a nontrad student when I started the undergraduate degree, and doing a doctorate take a minute. I'm in my late 30s now and there's a lot of shit I've missed out on because of that commitment. Some people can balance romance and sociality and hobbies and shit in school, but I couldn't. I've got a few friends, but not a huge social life; haven't dated in years; missed out on a lot of what was going on with my brother's and sister's lives and their families, let a lot of my hobbies fall by the wayside. Working to turn all that around now that I'm somewhat established, but it's another hill to climb. Also my hair. Jesus, I miss my hair.