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What motivates people to continue pursuing engineering despite the difficult coursework and career ahead in the future?

I'm currently in my sophomore year of civil engineering, and I'm feeling burnt out. How do people deal with this feeling, and what mindset can help me push through?

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Ray’s Answer

In the beginning of my junior year in engineering, I was coming home from school, and stopped to get groceries. Two bags. UC Berkeley was demanding. I was tired much of the time. I was living in a room about a mile from campus. My family (spouse and two kids) was 50 miles away at our house. I had the GI bill so I could go to school full time. My spouse worked. I had no vehicle so public transportation was my way to get around.

As I was walking, it started to rain. Then it started to pour. I raced to a house porch across the street from the bus stop, but I got soaked anyway. My bags started to fall apart from being wet. A bus came but, I couldn’t get to it in time while holding my bags together and crossing the street. I went back to my porch. A dog joined me. Nice pooch. He sat next to me, and then shook himself spraying more water on me. I had on a very yellow shirt and a black sweater. I really liked the shirt, but unfortunately, the soaked black sweater bled into the yellow shirt and ruined it.

That was the closest I came to giving up. I didn’t because I wanted to be an engineer. A mere two years later, I had taken my last exam, and walked across campus. I was about a foot above the brick pathway. Wow. I was finished and I was going to get a BS in engineering.

Shoot for that walk across campus. It’s the greatest feeling. Then as your career progresses, finish a project or assignment, and give yourself that equivalent ‘walk across campus.’ You will have colleagues who will share that walk, because they have been there too.

Best wishes for an exciting and rewarding career.
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Griselda’s Answer

Taking care of yourself is important, and there are many simple ways to do it. Try exercising or reading a fun book. If you're feeling stressed, talk to other students about it. If you’re juggling five classes, consider taking four instead. Remember, no company will ask how long it took you to graduate. Many engineers finish their programs in five years instead of four. We all learn at our own pace, and being kind to yourself is a smart choice. I took five years to complete my mechanical engineering degree, and it helped reduce stress. I even graduated with honors!
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Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer

Feeling burnt out during your sophomore year of civil engineering is common, but motivation often comes from reconnecting with your childhood dreams, long-term goals, and the deeper purpose behind your studies. Do not ignore what your instinct is telling you; if your mind or body signals a need for rest, creativity, or space, act on it. Sometimes a deliberate pause, whether a few days or a full week, is necessary to regain clarity. Changing your environment, allowing yourself short breaks, and rewarding yourself for progress can also lift your energy. Listening to your inner guidance helps prevent burnout, refreshes your perspective, and reminds you why you chose this path in the first place.

Managing academic challenges becomes easier when you identify the areas where your training is being tested and actively fill those gaps through extra reading, tutorials, hands-on practice, or discussions with mentors. Theory alone can be draining, so applying what you learn in practical ways often restores motivation by making your studies feel meaningful and connected to real-world impact. Breaking complex subjects into small, achievable steps and reflecting regularly on what is working helps create a sense of progress. Trying new study methods, adjusting routines, or approaching topics from a different angle can make learning feel lighter and more engaging.

Building a strong support network and prioritizing your wellbeing are equally important. Talking with teachers, mentors, senior students, or classmates offers guidance, encouragement, and fresh perspectives that make studying less isolating. Regular exercise, healthy habits, moments of reflection, and time spent on hobbies all help recharge your energy and keep your mind balanced. By listening to yourself, applying your knowledge practically, embracing small victories, seeking support, and caring for your mental and physical health, you can transform burnout into growth. Your passion for civil engineering and your long-term vision remain powerful motivators that will guide you through even the toughest semesters.
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Eduardo’s Answer

It’s completely normal to feel this way. Civil Engineering is a demanding field. But remember, the challenge is what makes it so valuable. Civil engineers develop strong problem-solving skills and adaptability, which opens doors to many industries beyond traditional roles. Employers see civil engineers as versatile professionals who can handle complex situations and think critically.
The effort you’re putting in now will pay off. This degree gives you access to a wide range of career opportunities and the chance to make a real impact on society. Staying focused on the long-term benefits and the skills you’re building can help you push through the tough moments.
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William’s Answer

Hi Scully,
Your situation is understandable. Many students get similar challenges. Motivation comes in many ways. Loving what you do is important. Focusing on what you are able to do with your civil engineering qualification makes your effort worthwhile. Engineering has an enduring history of meeting human needs. Changing people's lives through your work as a civil engineer adds to this legacy. To succeed, we all need to persevere in all of our meaningful endeavors.
Approaching concepts and principles from first principles allows you to gain real insight into engineering knowledge. Together with adequate revisions, it tends to improve your memory.
However, our ability to put knowledge to good use is more important than our ability to remember it. Frequent use of methodologies and mathematical expressions ensures we have them at our finger tips. Spare time to practice as much as you can. All will be well eventually. Worthwhile things are usually not easy to achieve. With sincere effort, it becomes easier for us to succeed.
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Jeremiah’s Answer

I'm an electrical engineer, and I felt burned out during my sophomore year too. It's completely normal. Engineering is tough because it challenges you to think in new ways, solve tricky problems, and tackle challenges that many avoid. Feeling burned out often means you're growing. Here are some tips that helped me: First, remember why you chose engineering in the first place. Second, know you don't have to do it all by yourself. Join study groups, use tutoring centers, and talk to mentors in higher classes they can help lighten the load and remind you that you're not alone. Lastly, focus on progress, not perfection. Building momentum is more important than mastering everything right now. Good luck!
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Chris’s Answer

I like the idea of taking less course work per semester and use more than 4 years to get your degree. But if you are like I was, I was concerned about the extra costs involved in attending school for more than 4 years (rent, food, etc). So I took courses over the summers and kept up with the part time jobs (<12 hours a week) I had all four years of school. The other thing I can tell you is that with an Engineering degree, you rarely need to get a master's degree to advance in your career! So although it is super tough, super stressful, and causes burnout, try to find ways to deal with that (see other answers to this question) knowing that when you make it through, you're golden! A great salary and only 40-50 hrs of work a week and the rest of the time is yours! Just have to put in the time now.
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