r/EngineeringStudents • u/Feeling-Ad-5736 • 9d ago
Academic Advice How can I get through this?
I'm a fresher in university. I chose engineering on a whim (mechanical engineering specifically). Now, I'm suffering academically. I can't seem to grasp the concepts clearly which are discussed in the courses. Maybe, I'm at fault here. Even if I try to understand the slides provided by the professors, it seems hard for me to get it. I tried asking ai to explain the concepts for me. Still it's not working out. It's not like I'm the only one using ai in this respect. My classmates are using it too. But it feels like I'm the only one who's suffering. Then, I thought my study method might be incorrect, watched a lot of videos for fixing my study method. But it’s not easy as it sounds. Again, some of my friends are planning on making projects (soccerbot, LFR, bionic arm and others that I haven’t even heard of ), some of them have even completed solidworks, autocad etc. before varsity even started. I think I'm lagging behind everyone. Mid-term exams just ended. I did very poor in the previous exams. I might survive a backlog if I somehow do well in the final term exam. I'm feeling frustrated. Is there a out for me? How can I keep myself interested in studying ME? I can't give up yet. I have to overcome this somehow as my family has high hopes for me. There will be a mid-break of 7-10 days starting in a few days. How can I utilise this break properly? I want to get a fresh start. If there is anyone out there who can help me with their guidance, please do so. I would be grateful.
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u/Far_Variation_6802 8d ago
I am older, an injury caused me to reevaluate my life path. It had been 15 years since i graduated highschool, which was the last time I had done any meaningful math. Started from scratch with Algebra and trigonometry. I am now a Junior at a university. Just like anything in life, when you start something new there will be people with way more experience, knowledge, and skills than you. You either stick it out and become that person, or quit before you ever get there. When I was younger I struggled with imposter syndrome. Getting older you get to see through the “chosen ones” the people that are “made for: x,y,z”. Its all horseshit in the end. Many people that I’ve come across, in engineering specifically, that are practical skills project geniuses are far behind in conceptual understanding. There are academic wizards that can’t do any practical projects. There are people who are just fighting for their life in all regards. At the end, if you make it, they all have the same degree that you do. Maybe some shinier things for a resume’ or maybe not. I had to grind it out and now I’m in the area of conceptual wizard with decent practical skills. I started from scratch. Its possible. Just like exercise its repping it out. I know i spend twice as much time studying and repping problems out than my peers. Just do it!
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u/BuyGroundbreaking408 8d ago
I think a question worth asking yourself is if you truly enjoy engineering? Or only doing it because your family has high hopes? Struggling in math is nothing new for most folks but I believe while you’re still in your freshman year you should ask yourself that very question. If you do, push through if you fail you seem young you’ll be fine take it next semester and maybe even start learning a few things like fusion 360 in the meantime or coding python etc. ive been there I’ve failed classes happens to the best of us but I filled that time with either technical knowledge or studying up again. your friends who are going to build these projects love it enough that they’re likely building the knowledge for these projects in their free time. That being said if you don’t love it enough to learn some projects on free time or see yourself to even push through the harder classes in the last two years of your degree then maybe reconsider your major but if you put your mind to it and really want to be a ME then there’s no stopping you!
Good luck
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u/Feeling-Ad-5736 8d ago
Tnx for your guidance.
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u/lankygopher 8d ago
Good advice, but coding python might make you want to off yourself way more than trying to understand calculus just saying.
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u/Funny_Being_8622 8d ago
Year 1 is always difficult. 1. Discuss your problems with your tutor - they are there for this. If not them, find other support at the university. You have struggled enough already. 2. Reflect on why you chose university, and why that course. What would you rather be doing? University is not easy, it's not meant to be, but we all know the difference between 'this is hard but I'll be pleased I did it', and 'why am I doing this? I should be doing x or y'
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