Entering in Waterloo Electrical Engineering

Question

Since the day I have decided to enroll in University of Waterloo's Electrical engineering program, I became a little paranoid of my competency. I never did well, not enough to be recognized, in waterloo's math competitions that we did every year and made me realize of my incapabilities especially in the field of mathematics. Now, I know that engineering will involve a fair amount of mathematics. As it is one of the most recognizable universities in Canada, I fear that it will hit me like a brick. I got 95 in calculus in high school. Are most of the questions based on what we learned and not something we would have to study in our free time to attack a question like the questions you would see in math competitions? Are the finals much different from high school exams? If so, how? How difficult is it to do well (> 80 percent) in Waterloo University?

Answers from anyone, preferably a Waterloo fellow-to-be student would be appreciated

Thanks

Answer 1

Entering the University environment after High School is a little like trading in your bicycle for an automobile.

On a bicycle you have a fair amount of freedom but are restricted from full movement by the world around you and the speed at which you can travel. In an automobile your freedom to explore and travel has been expanded far beyond your restricted access world of your bicycle.

///ly the University world is  world of freedom. Freedom to learn and explore.

You will be able to go where you want learn as you wish, and explore what interests you.

Thinking back the 45 years to my freshman year I too was overwhelmed by what happened in that initial experience. In the first year you will be treated a little bit like the child you still are. But you will be given the freedom to fail if you wish. The results are up to you.

Exams are based on what you will learn in your classes and in your tutorials (structured learning classes led by a graduate student). Your tutor will be your link to learning trust him/her with your problems and fears.

Enjoy the experience.