How do you cope as a first year enginnering student?

Answer 1

Realize that you will be spending all your free time either working on your assignments, writing lab reports or studying for quizzes. When midterms come around, make sure to study gradually the week or so before, cramming only makes your stress worse than it really is, and one tends to completely screw up midterms when stressed.

Finals are your saving grace, it doesn't matter if you got 50 on all your assignments, barely passed your midterms, etc. Study hard/well for your finals, you will do fine in the course overall.

Answer 2

I just muddled through the first year. I was too stubborn to quit. By the time I reached the third year I realized a simple fact about college. The easier the subject the harder it will be graded. My grad point pretty much improved every year after the first.

I'd say the first year you just have to hang on it really does get easier, or did for me as you get into the higher level classes.

Answer 3

I planned my degree to be earned in 5 years right off the bat (rather than 4 years).
I did not take a large load of classes, and instead spread them out over 5 years. There is no rush, in my opinion, to graduate, so I enjoyed my college years and did not over-extend myself.
The first year is mostly pre-requisite math, physics, etc as well as non-engineering related stuff (history, sociology, and other liberal arts crud). So, you probably will not do any actual engineering courses until your sophomore year. Focus on learning your calculus and physics. There will be lots of homework problems, but it's not that difficult if you stay on top of your homework, and don't procrastinate.

Answer 4

first understand engineering is hard, so if the answer is easy - you probably have it wrong... hard fact but true - common engineering joke: open book, open note - fail the test

second - it is going to take time to understand this stuff - time in the computer labs and on paper - get help from the teacher, grad student, friends, here - so you don 't get frustrated

third - don't overwhelm yourself - get the fundamentals straight before heavy engineering... take more math than you thought, it will only help

fourth - have fun - really... engineers as a group are sort of nutty, enjoy it.

hope this helps

Answer 5

You just got some good advice. Have fun, work hard and always, always be able to laugh at yourself. A long time ago I couldnt spell engineeer and now I are one.