Am I Ready to start a degree in Mechanical Engineering?

Question

I have asked similar questions before but i got my A - Level Results last week and got an A in Physics and Biology and a B in Chemistry. If any one out ther is doing mechanical engineering, what is the most difficult part of 1st year?

Answer 1

In the US, engineering students need math through calculus in order to start many of the engineering courses.  If you can take organic chemistry or earth sciences (in preparation for materials sciences at university), that would help.  Engineering is very intensive--be sure to keep up with assignments and homework, as if you get behind, it's difficult to catch up.  Good luck!

Answer 2

In my first year there were over 500 would be MEng students. I graduated with 38. It was the hardest thing I ever did. Brutal! My first marriage was easier. The first year, between the math, statics, thermo, drafting. I hardly had time to do anything other than study. The chemistry and physics was like a childs game compared to the ME and math classes. The second year, 10 times harder. If you survive half way through the third year (odds are you won't), you have a decent chance of graduating.

Good Luck

Answer 3

The maths. But if you got an A in Physics you will probably be OK. Have fun and best of luck.

Answer 4

The roughest thing was taking all sorts of classes...none of them in Engineering!  You will have calculus (4 classes), physics, chemistry, maybe biology, other core classes (English, maybe a philosophy) to do before you really get into engineering classes.

First, make sure you really *learn* your math and physics.  Don't just 'get by the exams, as you will need those concepts that sound so abstract about 4 semesters later.  You don't want to have to relearn all of that later!

Second, get involved with some Engineering societies and clubs.  ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) SAE (Society of Automotive Engineering) are on most campuses with ME departments.  They will help you feel connected to Engineering whey you are taking all your classes in other buildings.  

There will be some lower level 'weed out' engineering classes.  At my school, it was Statics.  The professor often refers to his Statics class as 'pre-Businees-101' because if you don't get through his class, you will most likely be taking Business 101 the next year!  Expect a lot of long, tedious homework assignments.  They suck, but it is important to master those skills.  

Expect to be challenged.  Questions won't always be readily answered by looking for key words in the text.  Part of engineering school is to train you to think like an engineer.  The answer is rarely, if ever, in black and white in a book.  You will need to think hard and apply ideas to get an answer.  Remember, if it were easy, everyone would do it!

Good luck, study hard, get a good job.  It's worth it.

Answer 5

I remember Calculus being the roughest. It is not that it was hard, it was just a lot of material to absorb. Most colleges use calculus as a weeding class. They make it hard intentionally so only the serious students stay. Also most Mech E's hate Chemistry. I know I did. Good luck if you take this path ... it will eventually be worth it.