We’ve all heard the infamous “Engineers don’t have life, all they do is study!”. And yes, while engineering education requires a significant time commitment, students should anticipate the schoolwork while relatively maintaining a healthy balance and know what they’re getting into to be able to fully enjoy their experience.
With so many tips and tricks online, there’s nothing better than real-life advice to get any engineering student through their challenging years at school.
Seeking Support
For students, asking for help can either be easy or quite stressful. But whether it’s seeking support from your instructors, peers, friends, or coworkers, it’s important to remember that a problem shared is frequently a problem half solved. Taking this first step to seek help is not a show of weakness; in fact, it’s the complete opposite. If you do not comprehend what is being taught, raise your hand in class and consult your lecturers. Asking for assistance demonstrates that you recognize you do not have all of the answers and are prepared to go to whatever length to obtain them.
Finding Your Gang and Communicate to Avoid Burnout
Finding a study group to join is the first step to embarking on a steady engineering school journey as some educational topics may quickly click with you, while others will appear to be from another world. It is likely that certain members of your group will understand some topics while others will find another topic easier to understand and you can then assist one another by explaining issues in a more friendly manner than the instructor. However, an extra step, especially during team projects, would be to communicate concerns and triggers of anxiety. Most probably classmates go through similar experiences.
Participating in Engineering Student Organizations and Clubs
Student engineering clubs are an excellent opportunity to put academic knowledge to use, network, and feel a sense of belonging. With endless opportunities to apply what’s being taught in the classroom, it also allows students to connect with professionals and like-minded students who come from different engineering schools. These organizations also put students ahead of the rest when it comes time to graduate and find work, especially if the activities were added to their resumes early on before graduating.
Creating a Personal Space
Both mental and physical. Because engineering school is a full-time job on its own, it’s vital to choose a field where the student will shine and grow. And with the responsibility of making this tough choice, it’s important to dedicate time and a spot to do quick mental recap sessions where they’re not easily distracted. Whether it’s an isolated spot in the engineering school, the library, or an outdoor area, all campuses provide these areas, with plenty of privacy and isolated workstations.
You’re one step ahead of unlocking the ultimate engineering school experience! Welcome aboard!