<p>I am starting this summer at Penn State University Park and I am going to study engineering. I was just wondering what advice y'all would have for me so I can get off to the best start possible. First off some background. I go to a really good high school, (I've heard it called one of the Harvards of high schools) and it is very much a college preparatory school. I haven't had the best luck in math teachers over the years so I've had to make stuff up by myself, but I am currently towards the end of pre-calculus and an algebra based physics course. I love physics, plus this course for me wasn't as difficult as I was thinking it would be. I know physics is calc based in college but the concepts now, or at least at the moment come naturally to me. Math I'm average at. These are both my favorite classes. Oh and I'm going to be graduating this June with a 3.5. </p>
<p>This summer I'm planning on taking a required English course and Engineering design. </p>
<p>So anyways I was just wondering what advice you had for me so I can get off to the best start I can at PSU and give me advice for any of the classes I will be taking in the near future. (I'm deciding between electrical and mechanical engineering, leaning electrical)</p>
<p>Prepare to study more than you think you’re going to have to based on your high school experience. Don’t panic if at first you don’t do as well grade-wise as you expect. Take advantage of professors’ office hours and extra study sessions. Try to find some kids in your classes that you’re comfortable with and form a study group. Don’t expect to have as much free time as your friends in education/hotel and restaurant management/liberal arts, but do manage your time so you have the chance to take advantage of the great social scene at PSU. Oh, and GO TO CLASS, that’s half the battle but a definite pitfall for lots of freshmen. Good luck !</p>
<p>What dorm did you request? You might consider E House, a Special Living Option, where all the students are in engineering and have similar course loads. It’s also close to the engineering buildings, in West Hall. </p>
<p>The main advice I would give is to engage with your instructors (instead of being the anonymous face in the back row) and to always stay ahead of the game - start everything before you think you need to and finish it before it needs to be done. </p>
<p>^^^ THis is something E House would help you with. Faculty members and other instructors can seem a little intimidating to new students, though they shouldn’t. If it weren’t for you, they wouldn’t have their jobs.</p>
<p>Advice is really the same regardless of your major…be dedicated, actually go to class, don’t get overwhelmed, and take some down time to avoid getting stressed out. A lot of your freshman classes will be in larger lecture halls (i.e., the “weedout” classes) which can be a little intimidating vs. high school. Once you’re past those, the material gets more specialized but the classes get smaller. PSU is a GREAT school for engineering (BSME here!) and really offers the full college experience. Enjoy every minute!</p>