How to Prepare to be an Engineer?

[Jumpoff]

I am considering Engineering as a major, and I was wondering if there was any way to prepare for it as someone who is not in physics and is just in a regular calculus class? I know that my course load isn't quite as difficult as it should be (would've preferred it being more difficult, just problems with my school's guidance department). Any outside of school work I could be doing to not be far behind when I get in?

[A7XXX]

I'm not an engineering major but I have friends who are and they said it's a lot of work. How about taking summer classes at a community college before you go to college. During the school year, make sure to go to tutoring or office hours if you need extra help.

[Jumpoff]

I'm not an engineering major but I have friends who are and they said it's a lot of work. How about taking summer classes at a community college before you go to college. During the school year, make sure to go to tutoring or office hours if you need extra help.

is it possible to take summer classes the summer before you're in college? I'm doing great in calculus, i have over 100.. I just dont think the class is difficult enough to really take seriously.

[A7XXX]

is it possible to take summer classes the summer before you're in college? I'm doing great in calculus, i have over 100. I just dont think the class is difficult enough to really take seriously.
Yeah they do allow you to do that. Not sure which college you're going too but if it's a university then you should take it at a community college because it's way cheaper. But just make sure that the credit transfer though so you don't end up taking the class for no reason. Also get yourself familiar with physics as well

[Jumpoff]

Yeah they do allow you to do that. Not sure which college you're going too but if it's a university then you should take it at a community college because it's way cheaper. But just make sure that the credit transfer though so you don't end up taking the class for no reason. Also get yourself familiar with physics as well

Alright awesome thanks a lot! Im going to Temple

[ModusPwnens]

It's gonna kick your ass. You'll have more work and a lower GPA than kids of every other major on campus.

But guess what? Come graduation, you get a job. Pretty much guaranteed. Oh, and your internships are almost always paid.

[concernedparent]

You don't need to prepare ahead of time, you just need to come prepared, ya know. Your classes are going to be hard, and you're going to spend a lot of time studying.

[KidRobot]

Definitely taking a summer course or two before you go in is a good idea. If you don't take that route, study for your placement exams so you don't get stuck on a 5 year route.

Overall, it's alot of work. You'll be studying alot but if you like the material, that's what matters. Don't go into engineering for the money or job security. You'll end up hating it by your 2nd semester. and if you do go through with it, you'll hate your job forever.

[Ben09]

Pay attention in calculus and physics. Depending on what type of engineering you plan to major in, you could possibly take care of Chemistry or Physics II at a community college if your college will accept the credit.

[Jumpoff]

Thanks alot for the advice people. I don't think Temple would accept the community college credits, but I'll check ont hat

[MenosDaBear]

The biggest thing you need to prepare for is the lack of a social life. Engineering majors are tuff and when they say you will be doing work all the time they arent exaggerating.

[MookieBlaylock]

Don't get frustrated at the start of your engineering coursework, everyone feels in over their head. Take advantage of free study groups and tutors, or just ask your friends who seem to be "getting" material that you can't quite grasp.

[tstick18]

Definitely get to know as many other engineering students on campus as possible. They'll be going through the same things as you and you can help each other out. The workload is intense at first but you'll get used to it.

Any idea on the what major (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, etc)?

[Jumpoff]

Definitely get to know as many other engineering students on campus as possible. They'll be going through the same things as you and you can help each other out. The workload is intense at first but you'll get used to it.

Any idea on the what major (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, etc)?

No clue which at all haha. Can you give me a breakdown on each maybe? If that's not too much to ask.

[tstick18]

No clue which at all haha. Can you give me a breakdown on each maybe? If that's not too much to ask.
Haha well it depends on what majors the college offers so you'll want to look into that.

The main types are probably Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, and Civil.

Mechanical- Extremely broad. Has to do with the design of any type of machinery (cars, boats, robotics, etc.) You'll deal with a lot of physics and energy transfer type stuff.

Chemical- They develop new products using the chemical properties of existing products. They also design the processes and plants needed to produce the products. Obviously, you'll be taking a lot of chemistry classes. haha

Electrical- They use electricity and electromagnetism to design systems and products. Circuits, computers, wireless systems, etc. From extremely small scale work to work on the power grid.

Civil- Also very broad. Design and construction of different structures (roads, bridges, buildings, etc.). You'll deal with some chemistry, some physics, a little bit of everything.

It really all depends on where your interests lie. I'm no expert on these majors though, so you'll definitely want to look into it some more before you decide.

[ChelseaRiane]

I've been in an Engineering major in high school for 3 years and I enjoy it but wouldnt persue it as a career

[tommyishere]

your first year they will try to flunk you out so dont get discouraged.

[hurryupbrett]

Form study groups, take advantage of free tutoring services, study, and go to class. Engineers work in teams for the most part, so it's a good idea to start forming groups and studying together.

[reachforthesun]

strongly suggest you get a business minor or something similar to help market yourself! ME/EE grads are a dime a dozen right now.

[subwaycollision]

I agree with those who said you should get familiar with physics. I was going to pursue a career in engineering but physics, as a subject, I really do not enjoy so I decided against it.

[zonto]

Punch yourself in the face and be prepared to feel constant rejection and frustration. Assign yourself a number ahead of time since that's basically all you are. See if you can secure a race change to Indian and you'll automatically get financial aid at any US college.

I tried the engineering gig for a year and hated it. The classes were hard sure, but that wasn't the problem. The problem was how impersonal the professors and students were. Everyone thinks they're God's gift to the University and being told repeatedly that was I was learning was insignificant because we could forget it as soon as the class was over (referring to how computers do everything) made me realize I hated my life and schooling because of the classes I was in and the people I was around.

I changed over into professional and technical writing, so now I can be a mediator between the general public and all you chuckleheads. ;-)

EDIT: Although I do have one fond memories of that first year:

I had a Scottish professor for my Physics I and II classes and he loved to have us do problems involving random objects sliding down a frictionless plane. Every time he spoke to us, I wanted to stand up, raise my arms high above my head, and yell, "FREEEEEEEDDDDDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!" Never did though... Shame.

[lbopm]

I am considering Engineering as a major, and I was wondering if there was any way to prepare for it as someone who is not in physics and is just in a regular calculus class? I know that my course load isn't quite as difficult as it should be (would've preferred it being more difficult, just problems with my school's guidance department). Any outside of school work I could be doing to not be far behind when I get in?

I wouldn't be too worried about it. I'm a math major with alot of engineering friends who have been in my lower level math classes. For them they said the math classes were the "hardest" part understanding wise of engineering, and the rest was just alot of work, but not difficult.

I think your perception of difficulty will change when you are exposed to more difficult aspects of the sciences, and you'll feel alot safer about engineering. With that said, they do throw alot at you because they expect you to know alot, but none of it is "hard" per say, just may take some work. It will all be easy to understand the concept... unlike some classes I'm taking currently...

[AH1]

if your still in hs try taking some engineering courses if they have em at a Comunity college or something if you want to get ahead, usually they also have intro to whatever it is or noncrazy math versions to give you some of the background

[AH1]

also get used to not sleeping and blasting hardcore music + Lemonade to stay away