<p>what intro engineering courses are good signs that you will enjoy engineering and/or be good at it? Also in general, what are good signs that engineering is right for you?</p>
<p>For example, I find intro physics dry and chemistry is just ok. Math is ok too. </p>
<p>I'm wondering because I'm afraid that I'm just being scared off by engineering because the intro courses are uninteresting or boring (what I mean is, what if upper level physics/engineering is actually fun), or whether being uninterested by them is actually a legit sign that I'm not a good match for engineering. But if you don't really like intro physics, doesn't that mean you won't like upper level physics either?</p>
<p>Ack, I hated intro physics!! I didn’t even like statics and dynamics much. But I loved my upper-level design classes. Learning how to design structures made of wood, steel, and concrete was fun. Analyzing them by computer was cool, too.</p>
<p>I’m a computer science major (in the engineering department at my school) and it seems like most of the students hate physics. Personally, I find some of the topics interesting like quantum mechanics. But the professors just make it stressful with stupid labs that take 4 hours when they only give you 3 hours and tests that try to trick you.</p>
<p>Two main questions you need to ask yourself:
Do you come up with cool original ideas?
Do you like to solve problems?</p>
<p>Did you prepare ahead of time for labs. That’s what I did when there were time limits on anything. By the way (hate to brag but still), I graduated with a 3.86 GPA.</p>
<p>And you don’t have to be that original to do well in engineering school? Unless you are a research student, that is. Seriously, you only need to think analytically and have the concepts down cold. That itself enables you to solve most of the problems. And you have to enjoy working hard when your non-engineering-major friends are out partying. And yes, you have solve problems.</p>
<p>from someone who’s had a rocky engineering road, I would say think of these questions too:</p>
<p>If I fall down while attempting this feat, do I have the mettle and determination to pick myself backup and finish no matter what?</p>
<p>Pre reqs are going to be either super boring, or just super pointless (aka if your school has an engineering core). the key is to keep in mind that each of those pre reqs severs some puropose for your major so while they may not seem useful now, later on they will be.</p>
<p>I agree. I did poorly in my introductory pre-rec courses I regret it quite badly, especially considering the effect on my GPA. And some of the pre-recs will never be useful. Computer engineers will really never have to deal with Chemistry or Biology.</p>
<p>If you make it through four years of engineering and still don’t like it, at least you’ll be able to find a job that pays well fairly easily. If you go through four years of most other majors, you will struggle to find a mediocre paying job. So, there is a fairly decent economic incentive to stay in engineering.</p>
<p>I think successful engineers have a few common characteristics
Able to stick with a problem until it’s solved
Able to troubleshoot well
Able to connect the dots and make sense of the bigger picture
Able to think creatively to solve problems in unique ways</p>
<p>Also, something to keep in mind is that you may not find very many, if any, academic subjects and/or jobs to be that interesting. But can you enjoy it enough that you don’t mind it and can thus enjoy the larger paycheck and better job security? It is called work after all, not fun.</p>
<p>I am currently enjoying all my introductory classes. From my Composition and Rhetoric class 1.5 years ago to my current Chemistry I class, I think all these classes are wonderful (except for certain aspects I find tedious).</p>
<p>I especially enjoy my science and math classes. I derive pleasure from working on math/science problem sets and from engaging in abstract thinking. I have an affinity for academic subjects. I love learning.</p>