As my freshman year gets closer and closer, my minds being filled with regret wondering if I made the right choice of major.
This fall I will be majoring in mechanical engineering.
I’m not a superior student, meaning I have passed by in high school with ease. I haven’t really stood out in math and science, just been decent at them. This leads me to believe I am going to have a very rough time my freshman and sophomore year in engineering. My parents have also been pushing me to major in engineering, practically my whole life which is another reason to be afraid to fail. Don’t get me wrong, I love the design and creative aspects of engineering. From what I hear though, most engineers do not get to be as creative as they would like to be. All this said, I have been considering changing majors to accounting. Accounting is something that has always been in the back of my mind, and something I could see myself doing. It’s equally interesting to me.
I know I could take introduction courses to get a feel, but that is something I don’t have the pleasure of doing. Finances are limited. I need to go in with a plan.
Does anyone have advice on what I should do? I can’t drop engineering two years in, failure is not an option.
If your finances are too limited to allow you to change your major after you get to college, then you need to reconsider this college. Are there any more affordable options still on the table?
Well, basically don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you don’t get something getting taught in a class, ask the instructor or a tutor. Don’t wait until the test to find out you don’t know it. Be prepared to study hard. In math, work as many problems as you can to gain experience and efficiency. Ditto for Physics.
Your first semester or two most of your classes will fulfill requirements for many majors. Even accounting majors need a certain number of math and science credits. And engineering majors have some electives, so you could try accounting. So you will probably have a little time to change majors without losing credits. Usually it only takes a semester or two to see if your major is right for you! Of course, this depends on the college you are attending; some programs are more restrictive than others.
May we ask what school? In most cases, the first year is not going to make or break you in terms of your degree. The only caveat would be if you are going to a school where almost all that is offered are various forms of engineering degrees.
@stanatedj I’ll be going to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville
I’m really trying to go in with a plan to avoid coming out buried with debt
The closer I get, the more uncertain I become. Is this usual?
thanks all
That is an outstanding school and you will have the ability to focus your studies more in your Freshman year. You are not alone in questions about your major and you will have to take classes in numerous subjects in the first year or so that will help you narrow that down.
You can switch majors after you enroll if you want. I think you have to declare by your junior year if you want to graduate on time. Lots of kids do change at least once before they graduate.
Is this school affordable for your family? Why are you worried about being “buried in debt” when you graduate, @Benson8, and how much debt are you taking on? It’s not generally adviseable to take more than the federal student loans ($27k over 4 years) for an undergrad degree.
Relatively speaking, you success in Engineering School is predicated on your math skills. Did you do any of the AP Calculus Courses/Exams while in High School? What was your AP Exam Math or Math SAT and/or ACT score(s)? My guess is that your performance in your first (or maybe, your second) Semester will predictive of your long term Engineering education success. Doing poorly in Physics I, Calculus I or Chemistry I will let you know if you are cut out ME.
For Accounting, you will be required to pass a Business Calculus Course and maybe a Statistics Course.
You are not locked in ME on day one, in the first year, you have a chance to take some intro courses in all disciplines. Many students change their mind in college.and change majors. Those first year intro courses will still be accounted for in graduation.
A 26 math score is good, but not super strong for engineering, where scores in the 29-30 range would be expected for optimal success; in addition, you’ll be in class with students who already took calc and physics, so prepare for really tough classes (and take your Freshman composition very seriously in case you need to switch majors!)
This background may make you better suited for accounting than ME but you’ll know quickly. Make sure to attend a university where you van easily switch majors and where you can keep your scholarships regardless of major.
By the way, what about economics?
Finally, did your university allow you to take Calc 1 over the summer? Some, like the UCs, wouldn’t. Make sure you don’t jeopardize your admission or freshman status because of that class!
@MYOS1634 I personally believe I wouldn’t have been accepted to the college of engineering had they not thought I could do it. I have to think positively… My ACT score is lower than what’s expected, but I believe with some drive I can overcome the math classes. But if it doesn’t work out I have a backup major.
I’ll be taking Calc 1 at a community college this summer and it can transfer to UTK. I’m honestly taking it to be better prepared for Calc at UTK.
Is it a good idea to transfer the Calc 1 credit from community college to Uni, then begin Calc 2? Or should I take Calc 1 twice?
Thanks for taking the time to reply!
See if you can take Calc 1 again: many students who take Calc1 in college have already had it once, so if you’ve verified with UTK they don’t have a problem with your taking Calc in community college over the summer, then that’s the best solution.
In any case, try ME, since you have a back up plan.
