6 answers
Dayana
Student
Manassas, Virginia
1
Question
Updated
211 views
What is advice you would give someone entering their first year of college in engineering ?
I am pursuing a Bachelors in Chemical Engineering and was curious on what someone would recommend to be successful. What are some good resources, or general tips that you wish you received when you were a student?
Login to comment
5 answers
Dennis Taylor
Self-employed
116
Answers
Columbus, Indiana
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
Hello Dayana, That's a good question for any student - at any time in their career. For you - you chose to attend college to earn a degree. Presumably, you have already decided that an engineering degree might be one of the best opportunities for you to earn a living henceforth. Or, maybe you just like the idea of understanding how the physical world works. Or maybe you just like to solve problems, and you know that is something engineers do very well. Right on all accounts!
You are preparing yourself for what you will be doing for the rest of your life. That should be your incentive. You might change jobs or even change careers, but what you do in your first year of college lays the foundation for everything you do beyond that. More incentive. Don't cut classes. Work with your Advisor to be sure the courses you take fit your goals. There will be some courses you don't like or you don't see the need - maybe some of the humanities or literature classes. Trust me, these will come to bear on your life in some way.
Enjoy this time. Learn as much as you can. Continue exploring ideas and subjects - you might find some new thing that is even more interesting to you.
Good luck, Dayana!
You are preparing yourself for what you will be doing for the rest of your life. That should be your incentive. You might change jobs or even change careers, but what you do in your first year of college lays the foundation for everything you do beyond that. More incentive. Don't cut classes. Work with your Advisor to be sure the courses you take fit your goals. There will be some courses you don't like or you don't see the need - maybe some of the humanities or literature classes. Trust me, these will come to bear on your life in some way.
Enjoy this time. Learn as much as you can. Continue exploring ideas and subjects - you might find some new thing that is even more interesting to you.
Good luck, Dayana!
Chris Ramsayer
Sales Engineer
5
Answers
Apex, North Carolina
Updated
Chris’s Answer
Hi Dayana,
Managing your time well is essential for success in college, not to mention all areas of life. When I started college, I wanted to do everything—join the crew team, pledge a fraternity, go to football and basketball games, etc. And of course I attended my classes, but I didn't have scheduled time for studying. After getting some "C"s on my midterms and finishing the semester with a 2.7 GPA, I realized I needed to focus more on studying. I began setting up daily study sessions, taking Friday nights and Saturdays off to recharge. Sundays became my main study day. Having a regular study schedule will help you make studying a habit and you won't feel like you're losing free time. It's better to have planned for more time than you may actually need for studying. Then when you feel like you have done enough studying and stop, the rest of your set studying time becomes free time!
The second part of time management is how you use your time. Maybe you have already heard the "Big Rocks and a Beer" axiom, popularized by Stephen Covey. If not, look it up. Basically, it dictates that you must prioritize your most important tasks (big stones) first, or they will never get done. A professor first puts sand (representing small tasks) in a fishbowl (representing your time), then pebbles (medium tasks ), then some big rocks ( important tasks) which overflow the fishbowl. Then he repeats the demonstration with a second fishbowl,but this time he puts in the big rocks first, then pebbles, and then the sand and it all fits. For you and most people, studying for the difficult classes are the big rocks. It's human nature, or at least its true for me, to do the easy tasks first, thinking "I'll get them out of the way so I can then concentrate on the important tasks better". But that doesn't work as demonstrated in the Big Rocks and a Beer axiom. You need your mind fresh to tackle the difficult tasks as well as avoiding the pressure of running out of time. The "beer" symbolizes that even when your "fishbowl" is completely filled with "big rocks, pebbles, and sand", there is always time to relax, exemplified by the professor being able to pour the beer into the fishbowl even though it is full!
Managing your time well is essential for success in college, not to mention all areas of life. When I started college, I wanted to do everything—join the crew team, pledge a fraternity, go to football and basketball games, etc. And of course I attended my classes, but I didn't have scheduled time for studying. After getting some "C"s on my midterms and finishing the semester with a 2.7 GPA, I realized I needed to focus more on studying. I began setting up daily study sessions, taking Friday nights and Saturdays off to recharge. Sundays became my main study day. Having a regular study schedule will help you make studying a habit and you won't feel like you're losing free time. It's better to have planned for more time than you may actually need for studying. Then when you feel like you have done enough studying and stop, the rest of your set studying time becomes free time!
The second part of time management is how you use your time. Maybe you have already heard the "Big Rocks and a Beer" axiom, popularized by Stephen Covey. If not, look it up. Basically, it dictates that you must prioritize your most important tasks (big stones) first, or they will never get done. A professor first puts sand (representing small tasks) in a fishbowl (representing your time), then pebbles (medium tasks ), then some big rocks ( important tasks) which overflow the fishbowl. Then he repeats the demonstration with a second fishbowl,but this time he puts in the big rocks first, then pebbles, and then the sand and it all fits. For you and most people, studying for the difficult classes are the big rocks. It's human nature, or at least its true for me, to do the easy tasks first, thinking "I'll get them out of the way so I can then concentrate on the important tasks better". But that doesn't work as demonstrated in the Big Rocks and a Beer axiom. You need your mind fresh to tackle the difficult tasks as well as avoiding the pressure of running out of time. The "beer" symbolizes that even when your "fishbowl" is completely filled with "big rocks, pebbles, and sand", there is always time to relax, exemplified by the professor being able to pour the beer into the fishbowl even though it is full!
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Software Engineer and Career Mentor
654
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
Focus on building a strong foundation in math, physics, chemistry, and programming. Consistent study is key, so try to avoid last-minute cramming. Tackle problems by breaking them into parts: what you know, what you need to find out, which principles apply, and any reasonable assumptions. Use resources like office hours, group study, and tools such as Python or MATLAB for help.
In Chemical Engineering, always check units, assumptions, and if your answers make sense. Use estimation to spot mistakes and reinforce your learning with weekly reviews and mixed problem practice. Explore resources like Felder’s Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Khan Academy, MIT OpenCourseWare, and YouTube channels like LearnChemE and The Organic Chemistry Tutor. Engage with AIChE(American Institute of Chemical Engineers) student chapters, workshops, hackathons, and online platforms for practical experience.
Remember, managing your time well through prioritization and timed practice is crucial. Success comes from persistence, learning from mistakes, understanding concepts, and maintaining good energy. Keep going, and you'll achieve your goals!
In Chemical Engineering, always check units, assumptions, and if your answers make sense. Use estimation to spot mistakes and reinforce your learning with weekly reviews and mixed problem practice. Explore resources like Felder’s Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Khan Academy, MIT OpenCourseWare, and YouTube channels like LearnChemE and The Organic Chemistry Tutor. Engage with AIChE(American Institute of Chemical Engineers) student chapters, workshops, hackathons, and online platforms for practical experience.
Remember, managing your time well through prioritization and timed practice is crucial. Success comes from persistence, learning from mistakes, understanding concepts, and maintaining good energy. Keep going, and you'll achieve your goals!
Michael Trocchia
Supply Chain Director
91
Answers
Mine Hill Township, New Jersey
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Be prepared to work very hard. The most important things you can do is find a routine in your study habits
If you need to concentrate go to the library etc
Not unusual to go to class for 18-20 hours per week and then do homework and project work and study for exams an additional 20-30 hours per week
If you need to concentrate go to the library etc
Not unusual to go to class for 18-20 hours per week and then do homework and project work and study for exams an additional 20-30 hours per week
Alexa Peruffo
Consulting
4
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Alexa’s Answer
Hi there! My best advice is to find a good balance with discipline. You've picked a tough degree, but it's going to be very rewarding. If I could go back, I'd tell myself to figure out the best way I learn right from the start. Whether you work best alone in a library or coffee shop, with friends but separately, or by teaming up with classmates, it's key to know what suits you and plan your time around that.
It took me a while to figure out when I work best and where I focus the most. Once you get this down, you can make a schedule that fits you, saving less productive times for fun and social stuff. Discipline is important, but balance will really help you succeed in your program.
I hope you'll be happy with your choice, just like I am. Finding balance will help you in the future when skills like teamwork, communication, and organization become really important.
It took me a while to figure out when I work best and where I focus the most. Once you get this down, you can make a schedule that fits you, saving less productive times for fun and social stuff. Discipline is important, but balance will really help you succeed in your program.
I hope you'll be happy with your choice, just like I am. Finding balance will help you in the future when skills like teamwork, communication, and organization become really important.