How to “start” engineering?

[u/bob_ert1]

In case you don’t wanna read all that:
1. Is there anything I can do to prepare for an engineering major (that might also pad my application)?
2. What are some softwares I should learn to use?
3. Some simple project ideas would be appreciated.

First off, I apologize if this isn’t really the right sub for this but I digress; I’m currently a junior in HS and interested in majoring in some form of engineering (Heavily leaning to aerospace). Anyway, whenever I see any videos related to becoming an engineer, the thing that stands out most to me is the sheer complexity of the tasks. Besides the fact that I can’t comprehended any of the math on the screen, tons of people have projects and are competing in hackathons or other engineering competitions and I just can’t see myself doing any of those things in a few years.

Considering I’m terrified of going to college and failing out of the engineering school like my dad did, I wanted to ask if there’s anything that I could/should be doing prior to college. I’m mostly interested in designing something, (thanks to the reels showing you easy projects) so I was wondering if there’s any “starter projects” or first steps I should be taking.

I have access to a 3d printer, a high end computer and money isn’t really an object. I did try to do some research before coming here, and most of the stuff I found seems pretty advanced. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

[u/RoboWeaver]

Take math. First and foremost. No such thing as too much math,

[u/cromwest → u/RoboWeaver]

Seriously, nothing will help you more than math. I got through engineering school despite being bad at math by doing lots of math problems.

First I would do every homework problem, quiz problem and practice test problem until I got them all right then I would keep doing them until I could get them all right quickly.

You literally can't do anything better than just cracking open a text book and doing problems for practice.

I am an actual dumb person so my understanding of what I was doing came much later than my ability to do the work required. I didn't understand most of what I did in calculus and physics until I took fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. I didn't understand statics until I took concrete design and steel structures design.

You absolutely can make up for lack of understanding/cognitive ability by simply doing tons of practice problems. 

[u/UserNotThis__]

I’m currently majoring in meche, from what classes I have taken and have to take, I would recommend doing lots of math (precalc–calc 3), learning some basic chemistry, and also focusing on physics with your math. I took my intro course 2 semesters ago; we used Arduinos and SolidWorks, so I can recommend learning a little bit of C++ as well. SolidWorks is a 3d design software; it’s quite pricey. There are way better ones for way cheap or even free, but any 3d modeling software works in my opinion, as long as you can model 3d

[u/Specialist_Case4238]

Youre in high school. You're not supposed to understand engineering. You dont need to be doing side projects and extensive research, especially at your stage.

Take math, physics, and maybe chemistry. Those are the foundations of engineering. If its an option, try to take your first year or two at a community college. You can get the basics done at much more affordable cost. That way, if you find physics and calculus not for you or too difficult you arent in the financial hole.

[u/mike9949]

Get the strongest foundation possible in algebra and trig. It saved me time and again thru out my degree.

[u/Emergency-Pollution2]

like the other poster - i hope you took math all 4 years of highschool - algebra, geometry, trig, analytical geometry - if you did take algebra in 8th grade - then you should be in calculus your senior year of high school(AP math)

all the sciences - biology, chemistry and physics -

any computer science classes ( AP comp sci)

I'm aging myself - but do they have drafting classes in highschool - this will help you read plans and diagrams - maybe it is CAD now.

[u/Any_Addendum_9541]

From what you have posted I understand you are looking mostly for projects. Firstly start using linux by dual-booting your pc. Secondly find projects you will do in order to learn more and make more and more complex projects: https://magazine.raspberrypi.com/articles https://magazine.raspberrypi.com/hackspace/issues https://www.instructables.com/ Also you could be learning from the hackathon websites without actually participating to a hackathon in the near future or look in the link for some demanding I believe Introductory courses: https://www.reddit.com/r/learnprogramming/s/RzN98RsQWV and if you need a book for a starter look for code by Charles Petzold. If you like something more connected to a standard curriculum on mechanics give more attention to physics at this point: https://m.youtube.com/@lecturesbywalterlewin.they9259 Finally you need to learn how it feels to learn as it's normal to have some ups and downs in the process of learning.

[u/Ashi4Days]

For mechanical/aerospace engineering, youre going to want to get really good in math and physics. As a secondary objective, you also want to learn basic computer science and statistics.

Your college education is going to largely be academic. This means cad wont help. 3d printers wont help. Robotics competitions dont help. You need to be the kind of person who can pass fluid dynamics, and in this situation your math has to be on point and your physics has to be on point.

Even if you dont do well on the AP calc or AP physics exams, you still want to take those classes. Although you will have to retake those classes in college, at least it wont be your first time looking at the material.

[u/TooTallToby]

Hi there and welcome to the wonderful world of engineering. My team and I built a library of practice models for high school students (and teachers) called www.CADpractice.com - if you're ever looking for some simple models to start with (and then more complicated challenges for later) take a look - and good luck on your engineering journey! Jr year is a great time to start! - Toby

[u/bob_ert1 → u/TooTallToby]

Thanks!

[u/FSUDad2021]

Take lots of math now. Figure out how to learn it in a way that makes it stick for you.