How hard is it to major in engineering?

Question

I am a freshmen at Penn State and I am majoring in engineering. Everybody keeps saying engineering is very difficult. Can anyone tell me exactly the things that make it difficult.

Answer 1

I graduated in Dec 2006 from Penn State Engineering. It is hard, but its definitally do able if you put in the work. Some Freshman classes are hard. I struggled with chem and calc., most of my friends had trouble with physics... it just depends on you. Most classes give you alot of credit just for completing the homework, so always do all of the homework. As classes get harder you will find alot of people do work together. This can be a life saver. Working out problems together in a group seems easier.
Don't get discouraged by bad grades. I got horrible grades and didn't know what to do because I'd never had bad grades in high school. If you talk to the teacher and show them that you are making an effort, they won't fail you. As you get to higher level, smaller classes, the teachers don't want to fail you and are alot nicer while grading papers.

Now, engineer isn't all work either. I made a ton of friends and we found time to go out and have a normal social life too. (Some weekends you will have to study), but if you use your time well, most weekends you'll be able to get out. And make sure you do, because too much work will drive you crazy.

The hardest parts for me were... Long homeworks. some would be only 6 problems long but take 20 pages. (E mch 12 = hell) . They are really frustrating and take a lot of time. Make sure to find a group to do homework with.

Answer 2

Well, I've been an engineer for 23 years and I still remember why people say it is hard.

An engineering degree requires a lot of detailed knowledge and demonstrated understanding. Engineering courses tend to require a lot more work from the students and there's no wiggle room in the answers, you either know or you don't and your opinion is worthless. Depending what branch of engineering you choose you may need to master some fairly complex maths and some really abstract physics. When I was 18 I thought electric field theory was black magic.

But then there's the question of aptitude, I am good at understanding why things work how they do. I am good at looking at problems logically and finding a solution. So I find engineering relatively easy.

So, it's difficult for many people, like doing a degree in Italian would have been for me (I can't do languages very well). But if you have the aptitude you may find it much easier than most.

Answer 3

I'm currently a senior studying mechanical engineering technology. I would have to agree with most people on here. Engineering is very math & science intensive. What I started out in college doing was taking all of my basic core curriculum courses. This allowed me to adapt to the college environment and learn to manage my time, friends, and most importantly home work..lol. I chose to study mechanical engineering technology since its slightly easier..not by much the only courses I'm lacking from having the "full blown" engineering degree is Calculus III & Discrete math. Math was never fun but over time it has become more enjoyable.

If your not good in math just practise or cosinder finding a smaller school where the student teacher ratio is lower. This will allow the professors to help you & motivate you to one day become an engineer. Good luck!!! I'm on my 7th year in college..never failed a class, never dropped a class, & never changed my major...But now I'm only 5 classes away from graduating so remember always hang in there!!!

Answer 4

For me, (Mechanical) Engineering School was much harder than my first marriage, which was Hell.

It starts out as a weeding out process and continues to be until about midway through the third year. After that it's only hard, but by then you have learned what it takes to finish the marathon. In my class over 200 started and 35 made it.

If you want to go out and party, you won't make it.
If you miss class, you wont make it.
If you don't study every night and over most weekends, you wont make it.
If you're not great in math, you probably wont make it. But you will be great in math before it's all over, if you make it.
If you are not dedicated, you won't make it.
If you can't handle compound stress you won't make it.
Starting from the first class it starts out hard and gets harder.
Engineering school is harder than law school or med school . If you have a good memory you will pass. Not so in engineering school. You must have a great memory and you will have to puzzle your way through complex problems and arrive at the right solutions in every class for all four years. If not, you wont make it.

I'm glad I don't have to do that again and don't envy your position as a freshman engineering student. Good Luck, your gonna need it.

BTW, I'm sugar coating it.

Answer 5

Engineering generally relies heavily on math and science, which most people I've talked to don't really enjoy.

I find it challenging, but fun. It takes a different mindset. Very requirements-based. It's figuring out ways to do exactly what you need without it costing an arm and a leg.

Answer 6

if you want hardest, why not pick a double major - any engineering + physics ?

Answer 7

Wrong.Engineering is easy to learn cause it need practice.Do lot exercise.It become easy and simple.I'm engineer,i know it.