Not letting Engineering take over your life.

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Okay, story time kids......</p>

<p>For those of you entering engineering or who are still underclassmen, let me tell you one thing: don't let engineering take over your life. By that I mean, enjoy these years (late teens, early 20's) to the fullest. I'm not saying go out and party every night, skip class, and never study; I'm saying, find time to fit a little "fun" in your busy engineering schedules. </p>

<p>My first year of school was awesome. Classes were easy, friends were always there, and time was readily available. As the semesters went by, things got harder (go figure). I studied day and night, I stressed a lot about grades, and I managed to score myself a 12 month research position and a 12 month internship. Because I was so busy, time flew like crazy. Now I sit here almost ready to graduate, and all I feel is nothing but regret. Granted, I have this pretty cool resume, and all these dollars in the bank compared to my non engineering friends, but at what cost? I missed birthday parties, road trips, sports competitions, school events, club nights, and all those cool stories your typical college student is supposed to have. </p>

<p>Bottom line: You have the rest of your life to work and make money. Between the internship, research, and previous part time jobs, I wish I found more time for fun. Cuz after graduation, it's nothing but work work work and bills bills bills. That's the beauty of doing an internship..........you get to see how your life will change once you start working.</p>

<p>All in all, enjoy life and TAKE YOUR TIME in college, but only if your parents are paying for it! Lol. Your friends are not going to be there forever. Many will move on and start families in places far beyond your reach. I was upset when my friends all got fat and nobody was fit to play soccer anymore. =[ We have just these few, short years to explore and discover ourselves. This is why college is the most important years of our life. Not the education, but more so the experience (education is very important though). Remember you only get one life and most of these things CANNOT be made up later.</p>

<p>MY ADVICE:</p>

<p>Don't do summer classes unless you and a bunch of your friends are doing it. </p>

<p>Go on vacation at least once a year. Twice preferably. </p>

<p>Take a semester off and travel and/or spend an entire semester doing a co-op out of state. </p>

<p>Never miss a celebration. NEVER!</p>

<p>Study abroad.</p>

<p>Pick up a hobby or join a club.</p>

<p>Stay healthy and go to the gym.</p>

<p>Guys: The girls will vanish as you progress higher in your major. Just know that.</p>

<p>Most importantly, never lose contact with old friends. Always stay in touch.</p>

<p>For those of you who have graduated, are approaching graduation, or are well into your engineering career, what is your take on all this?</p>

2

<p>I agree with your advice, though I don’t think studying abroad is necessary. If one is interested in it though, they should do it. People won’t have chances after college to do something like that most likely. </p>

<p>To note, if you want to have a life outside of engineering, just strengthen your time management skills. You will be fine if you do that. I also recommend, if you do summer courses, to try and do online ones if you can. Those are relaxed and generally you do the work when you are able to, not at a specific time. Makes enjoying your summer easy.</p>

<p>But yes, get involved in activities you enjoy during school and do something exciting in the summer, whether it is a vacation or an exciting internship or coop. You won’t have many of those opportunities after you start working, so better enjoy them while you can!</p>

3

<p>peterhax “By that I mean, enjoy these years (xxxxxx) to the fullest. I’m not saying go out and party every night, skip class, and never study; I’m saying, find time to fit a little “fun” in your busy engineering schedules.”</p>

<p>You might try to implement that philosophy in your 20s, 30s and early 40s. Otherwise, you’ll face a deja vu moment.</p>

4

<p>Study undergraduate engineering in Elbonia. Lots of partying, drinking age is 12 (or non existing), pick up hobby, sure, programming, study abroad, check (why am I still here?), girls (few unfortunately, worse than here), and celebrations, well, depends on which third world dictator our leader was aligned with that week, so it kinda varied…</p>

5

<p>I’ll temper this post with a little wisdom from someone who spent years partying and celebrating with friends.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Make sure you graduate.</p></li>
<li><p>Make sure you graduate with at least a 3.0</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Life gets a hell of a lot harder when you **** away your college years. So hit the books!</p>

6

<p>Work/Life balance!! </p>

<p>The sooner you learn that skill, the happier you’ll be; whether it is college or your professional career.</p>

7

<p>Good time management is the key to having balance.
Also sleep whenever you can.</p>

8

<p>thanks a lot dude,gonna remember your advice once I start my classes in Jan/2014.</p>

9

<p>30 is the new 20…</p>

10

<p>I need to print this and tape it in my dorm room. I definitely want I experience everything that college has to offer. I want to research, be a tutor, study abroad (hopefully two summers), have internships, do a co op, be an RA, and so much more. This will help me look on the bright side and stay focused!</p>

<p>C/O 2017</p>