<p>I'm going to be a freshman engineering major. I haven't really had to study too much in high school, so I have no idea what to expect in college. I've heard it's pretty tough.</p>
<p>I want to maintain a good GPA (3.5+ for chemE). Would it be a bad idea to study like crazy for the first tests just to get a feel for how much I need to study? I'd rather over study than under study, but I don't want to burn out either...</p>
<p>After your first midterms you’ll find out how much you need to study. The good thing about most freshman classes for engineering is there really isn’t much to study, just know how to set up and do problems. College is harder than high school but its not that hard, it requires more effort in general but not an unreasonable amount.</p>
<p>From my standpoint I studied anywhere between 10 minutes to 3 hours (usually in the hour and half range) for any given midterm or final and after the end of the year I got a 3.97 (Engineering major myself) and the only class I got an A- was class that was project based and not test based. But that is only if you consider studying that is not doing homework.</p>
<p>If we’re simply comparing the two, studying a lot at the risk of over studying, and studying little at the risk of under studying, go with the former. </p>
<p>Further advice from me loosely related to the thread, be careful. If they give you two hours and you only use one, redo the entire test and make sure you come up with the same answers. Don’t check your work over and over, redo as much as possible from scratch. Just sit in there and do something for as much time as they give you.</p>
<p>As a fellow engineer I understand where you are coming from. We like to find answers, and equations to our problems. The thing is that there are some things where you need to feel it out. College is no different from high school, teachers will tell you “you should know this” or “this is important.” If you don’t understand something you should ask a question. Do the readings and stay focused on the homework problems. I was surprised how similar my college classes were to my high school classes. Studying is an art and a skill. Everyone does it differently.</p>
<p>If one is getting all As, the level of study is appropriate. Otherwise, study more in anything without an A.</p>
<p>If you’re learning by Memorizing, I’d estimate about 8-9 hours a day if you want all As. Re-double your efforts if you’re actually reading the book. Most Top students don’t read textbooks, and for good reason - they’re rubbish.</p>
<p>If you’re learning through Concepts, maybe 10 minutes a day, per class. Concepts are the key to success. Knowing the first law of thermodynamics in and out will basically get you through Chem I and II without much studying to speak of, maybe a 45 minute cram session if you really want a 4.0, but I don’t see the need. Memorizing info from the textbook will make you look like a Fool on exams unless you Memorize the entire book, memorize your lecture notes, and go to office hours and Memorize what the professor tells you.</p>
<p>It is not hard: read the book, work the examples, and if something does not quite make sense - there are plenty of older edition textbooks floating around online. Most texts just stink at explaining certain things, but there are other books that will explain the subject manner in probably the most eloquent and intuitive manner imaginable…and vice-versa. By the time I finished the digital class, i had about three digital books on my computer and a 4,0 for the semester. It is just a matter of busting one’s ass until the matter is resolved.</p>
<p>Worst case - ask specific, well-though questions. Point out where one is probably making the error, or not quite making the connection between point A and point B. Even if the problem turns out to have been worked correctly, it never hurts to ask to make sure.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks for the suggestions. I’m definitely more suited to learning by understanding…I did memorization my first year in high school and I honestly don’t remember a thing I “learned” then. I’ll aim at the beginning to understand everything, and hopefully I can do that in 30-ish min/day per class. 8-9 hours is insane…
Thanks for the tip too, QwertyKey. :)</p>
<p>30 minutes is enough for a C student.</p>