Top 10 Tips for Engineering Students: My 1st Year

If you're reading this you are either interested in doing an engineering course in the near future or you have just recently started one. Whether you are doing Mechanical , Electrical , Aeronautical , Chemical or any other engineering course these tips are for you. Having managed to not only survive but thrive both academically and socially this is my guide to a successful first year:

(1.) Study time: For every hour that you are scheduled to attend a lecture on campus, dedicate at least the same amount of time at home. If you have a 15hr timetable that should mean you will be studying 15 hours at home.

(2.) Academic support : Make use of all the academic support provided to you even if you don't need it. Report writing workshops are crucial and so are referencing workshops , these are skills you will need throughout your degree. It is beneficial to email lecturers/tutors copies of your reports a week in advance and ask for advise on how to make your work better.

(3.) Get an accountability partner: Find someone in your class who will motivate you to do better , preferably someone who has strengths where you are weak for example someone who is better at Maths than you but you are better at fluid mechanics. This dynamic will help you stay focussed and motivated.

(4.) Sign up with the association that accredits your degree such as iMechE , iChemE or IET. There are many different ones and most student memberships are free. You can also be a member of more than one association.

(5.) Start researching the companies you may want to do placement with at the end of 2nd year because you will need to start applying as soon as 1st year is done.

(6.) If your university has a careers team get in touch to get career guidance and assistance with placement applications.

(7.) Attend engineering events hosted by your faculty , these events are great for networking and learning what options you have in the future.

(8.) Have some kind of social life : play a sport , join a society , start a new hobby. Find something to get involved in at least once a week that has nothing to do with your degree. Engineering is a demanding course and your mental health will benefit from having work-life balance.

(9.) If your university participates in Formula students , get involved ( you will thank me later).

(10.) Last but not least , enjoy what you do. Engineering is such an interesting course , there is so much to learn beyond the content given to you in the lecture hall. If you have a vested interest in your chosen field go out of your way to find out more about it , ask lecturers about it , read books , watch TedTalks , attend talks and acquire as much knowledge as you can. Become passionate about what you are learning , it will make the year a memorable experience and not another awful year in school.

Goodluck with the rest of your first year in engineering and welcome to the world of STEM.

Cece ✨
De Montfort University