<p>I am a current Freshman majoring in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington. Of course, going into an Engineering major, I know I have enough at my plate, but I am trying my best to be involved on campus, already joining multiple Engineering related clubs and have applied for several Engineering organizations that are apart of the UW. </p>
<p>Though, as the quarter is still relatively fresh (or it does at least for me!), I feel a bit overwhelmed. Not because I cannot handle my current course load (Math 124 [calc 1], chem 142 [gen chem 1], arch 150 [intro to architecture], bioen 215 [intro to bioengneering]) but it just startles me how there is so much for all classes, and I feel like it is not as simple as adding "do Chem 142 reading at 8 PM" to my calendar. In high school, I heavily relied on my calendar, and had a small agenda (a book full of what I had to complete every day). Now in college, with multiple deadlines for all classes, from homework, to readings, or from outside class such as attending meetings, and work for those specific clubs. Additionally, I am already in the process of interviewing for internships and multiple research positions both on and off campus. I know I have to find what best fits me, but I just want to here what previous engineers have done to be successful in college overall, from time management, to being involved on campus, to simply having a fun social life.</p>
<p>I am kind of overwhelmed, would love some insight from current/former engineering students to help clear up my head, to have an awesome first quarter of college!</p>
<p>Engineering can be intense. You are in good company. At one STEM school we heard a counseling center rep say that 80% of their cases were students that just needed a little help developing better organization techniques to survive the workload. Perhaps try tapping into campus resources. </p>
<p>Here’s one tip based on my MechE college days and observations of my kids in engineering college: Even if time is tight, try to do some kind of fitness activity to offset all the sedentary study periods… It could be running or basketball intramurals or whatever. That may help clear your head to be better organized - good luck!</p>
<p>“to simply having a fun social life.” Do not overindulge in this aspect of college life especially as an engineering student. Though society, movies, & ur friends have hyped up the party aspect of college do not get caught up in it or you won’t make it through engineering. There is a running joke that freshman engineers are actually pre-business majors even though they dont know it because a good portion dont make it through the “Weed-out courses”. Treat school as a full-time job and know when to balance your “social-life”.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies! I guess I should’ve reworded “social life”, as I just want some “social fun” where on the weekends I can just go out and play some basketball/watch the latest football game or just catch up with my family. In High School, I never partied nor consumed any form of substance while everyone else was out there going crazy and bragging it all over via social media (and I feel great for not doing so). I guess my overall concern is to maintain a “sane” mind where I am still friendly, and not to dive into some hardcore mentality where I might just become more unsocial when meeting new people, as I want to continue to meet new people, make friends, and possibly make strong friendships, which is what college in its entirety sets us all up essentially. </p>
<p>I heard the joke for sure about pre-engineering majors being essentially pre-business majors, as they all fall into Engineering mostly because of the fact that they feel more secure about making money afterwards, which is never the right mindset (and hence, they go onto Business). I love the world of engineering, completed multiple internships in it which is why I choose specifically Mechanical Engineering. </p>
<p>If someone can just clarify me on this, do you think it is best if I just “struggle” my way within the next few days and see my sense of being a regimented student? Any additional tips or advice I can possibly use?</p>
<p>Hmm… try asking that in a different way. I’m not following, but there are many of us willing to help if we understand better. </p>
<p>I will note that a great thing about freshman engineering (especially if you are at a STEM college or live in an engineering dorm) is that other friends are taking a lot of the same classes. They have the same homework and same exam schedule. Maybe there is even a study group you could join.</p>
<p>Since you’re taking an Intro to Architecture class I suggest you attempt to date one of the students in Architecture. It will give you new appreciation for ‘fun social life’ (or lack thereof :D)</p>
<p>One of the skills I, and many other engineering students, had to learn was time management. There are so many things you could do while in college that you just have to be realistic about it. Don’t over commit yourself. Because, come the end of the term and with final exams and final papers/projects due, you’ll be swamped. Maybe swamped too much to survive.</p>
<p>Start out your freshman year with a modest amount of outside activities and see how it goes. Once you get a feel (over a complete semester) of what you can handle, then you can add more is time allows.</p>
<p>I think when people say time management skills they really mean study skills. </p>
<p>Google “how to study engineering” or “engineering study skills” to get some tips. What you need to understand is that this is learned behavior. It’s not something that many people have mastered before college. Just knowing that you need to “work on your game” is crucial. </p>
<p>What helped me were understanding the following concepts
you are responsible for far more material than will be covered in class, you do most of your learning while doing the problem sets. Never miss homework.
For any class, read the material to be covered in lecture before class well enough so that you have questions that you expect to be answered during lecture.
Take lecture notes on a piece of paper, and then after class, in the library, copy the lecture notes carefully into your notebook. It helps you internalize the important concepts. Look for questions that you have to bring to office hours.
Start doing problem sets as soon as they are assigned so that you can formulate questions to bring to office hours.
Even if you don’t have questions, go to office hours. The students who get As go to office hours.
Work in groups just before the problem sets are due, but make sure that everyone has grappled with each and every problem before the session. Get on people who come to study group unprepared as letting the team down. Don’t be that person.
Use the study group to all learn the material well enough to teach it. </p>
<p>This method actually saves time. If you can get a good study group is can be amazing. You need to do a lot of work on your own before hand. Most importantly, if you get stuck, get help from TAs, colleagues or tutors. Don’t get behind.</p>
<p>Save Saturday night for socializing. Always!</p>