<p>after you've taken all of the calculus, physics, statics, dynamics classes, and move on to the real engineering classes, do the subjects get easier? for example, are subjects like geotechnical/hydraulic/water supply engineering relatively easier than statics/physics classes?</p>
<p>For me they were easier. But that was 30+ years ago :). In calc/phys type classes it’s you, some diff eq or some such, and a #2 pencil. In engineering classes there’s a bigger picture and stuff you never thought about. </p>
<p>Upper level classes also tend to have more labs which increases the entertainment value by quite a bit. Soil mechanics lab remains the most fun I’ve ever had in a class, period. You really get to see how and why things happen. </p>
<p>It’s tangible stuff, stuff you can touch and see in real life. After walking out of Plates & Shells class you see some church or stadium and think about how you’d do it. You start to think differently. You probably have more motivation now that you don’t have to have Dr. Scantron grade your tests.</p>
<p>Having said that, there’s a lot more reading, and lab writeups or projects become more detailed and longer. </p>
<p>Again, that was my experience 30+ years ago.</p>
<p>In the typical freshman classes, like calculus, physics, etc., you learn a lot of stuff that you may never use again. That can also make them boring and tedious. </p>
<p>Sophomore year you start into the engineering part, but there can be a lot of new principles to learn. You also haven’t learned enough of all the parts to start to put it together. So, it can be tough.</p>
<p>Junior year and beyond, you start to really get the big picture and if you really do like engineering, it can be a fun time. As previously stated, you also start to get a fair number of labs, which are fun. Being fun, it will seem much easier and your GPA will, in many cases, rise somewhat.</p>
<p>Thank you for your responses! Im curious to know why you chose CivE? Also, what were some of your most difficult/frustrating classes and why?</p>
<p>I did not choose CivE, it chose me (think Harry Potter sorting hat, aka, national entrance exam)</p>
<p>Most frustrating class: Metal & Wood Structures, largely because of the math required - if you can’t solve heavy duty integrals you’re guaranteed pain and suffering, plus it was one of those ‘nobody ever builds metal or wood in this part of the world so why bother’ type classes. The lab was entertaining (learn how to do arc welding and weld inspections among other things) but the class was not easy. Also, prestressed concrete (brrrrrrrr) and plates & shells, mostly because of the math involved. Back then it was all manual calculations.</p>
<p>I loved steel, wood, prestressed concrete, etc. I loved seeing how you could use math to design tangible structures. It was MOSTLY manual calculations, although we did use a few programs. I think my GPA went up every year, so I supposed the classes got easier for me as I went along.</p>
<p>thank you so much for your responses. im going on my 3rd year in CC now and ive had no idea what i wanted to do since so id just been taking random classes… recently i have narrowed it down to between nursing or engineering bc thats where the jobs are. extreme opposites, i know, but i definitely want a math/science related career. even though my passion is with helping animals/environment, i figured ill get a career that ill be able to support myself with and do my passion-projects on the side (or is this bad logic?) ideally, id like a career that meshes both worlds, this is why biomedical engineering seems very interesting. but for some reason there are no jobs in that field? or is it bound to grow 5-10 years from now? </p>
<p>im currently taking a 6-week Calc II class and so far, i have an A but this is also just 2weeks in, after 2 quizzes and a test. if i do poorly in this class,would this be a good indication that engineering isn’t for me? i havent taken any physics classes so i cant really say much in that regard. but when a professor briefly touched upon the subject my mind was blown and i found it really amazing/interesting. ive also taken intro to chem and got an A. it was really interesting and quite fun, but it was probably just bc of my professor. what other professions should i consider? any career advice would be greatly appreciated!</p>