Hi guys! I’ve been reading lots of different forums lately saying that engineers basically have no social life because of how much they need to study. My neighbor is an engineering student and told me while on week days she studies, she is very social and goes out on the weekends (she goes to Iowa State for Industrial Engineering). Is it different with each engineering major, or do you think it varies more by each school? Feel free to share any opinions and your personal experiences!
I think you’re right that it varies by major and school, and also I think it varies by person. If I worked less on weekends I wouldn’t be getting nearly the grades I’m getting, but I know people who manage it successfully.
I wouldn’t expect much of a social life. Anyways, you’re at college to learn, not to party. It seems like your priorities may be a little misplaced. No offense
Based on what I’ve witnessed of my son’s experience, there are times when he’s extremely busy with school, and periods where he has time to party, or hike, or do whatever other non-academic related activity he wants to do. The trick is to know when you have time and when you don’t.
My daughter goes to a STEM school, and there are sororities and fraternities, so obviously some student do both. My daughter also is an athlete, so triple whammy.
My daughter isn’t an officer or very involved in the sorority, but that’s her choice. The prior president of the sorority was also president of an engineering society, double majored in math and mechanical, was on the jet car team, and had grades good enough to get 4 full scholarship offers to grad schools. She graduated last week from Columbia with a masters. Underachiever!
Mostly related to your skill, on an absolute and relative basis, in your major. If you go on a big scholarship to a safety school, you may be able to spend some time on other things, and get decent grades too. if you get into a reach school, and you are surrounded by exceptional peers, you may need to work harder, for mediocre grades. Some schools are known to be more of a grind than anothers, another factor.
It was many moons ago that I was in college. But I attended a top engineering college, lived in a fraternity and played varsity ice hockey (D3). Not a lot of free time with everything going on, but it did include a social life. You had to be organized, but it is doable.
Our S is an EE. He formed a rock climbing club and was president when he started at his U. He also did some ultimate frisbee, soccer, and other activities. He had a social life which included study groups, which were highly encouraged by this U. Agree it depends on the student and organizational ability; efficiency is key. He was able to work part time in his department as well. He got better grades in college than in HS.
I’m an EE at UCLA. I’ve got an above average GPA and while it does get busy some days there is usually a lot of time for fun if you make time for it. I joined a social fraternity and while it sucks that most of the brothers are “business and poli sci” you just gotta buckle down and realize as an engineer it takes more time. I also have time for an engineering rocket project and IM Sports. Work hard and you’ll have time. Procrastinate and well good luck with that.