It is one thing to get an admission into an engineering college and it is a whole different thing to survive there.
Most of the students are very concerned with their entrance exams and their score, but what they fail to understand is that, that score is just the key that unlocks the door. When you actually enter the college you are faced with many different challenges such as, the ability to reason out and manage time, problem solving, the willingness to learn continuously etc. If you are already planning your higher education then you should prepare yourself in advance and head towards college fully prepared instead of being completely lost.
The gap between an engineering college admission and success in an engineering college.
Admission into a college says you have qualified to enter it, but succeeding in college speaks a lot about your capability.
It is quite possible that two students who get admission into the same college react in entirely different ways, one settles in well the other doesn’t, this happens with preparation.
How advanced preparation of these skills may lead to a more confident journey and less academic pressure
When you are aware of the basic concepts and are trained to have a routine, college life becomes much easier as you don’t spend a lot of time on concepts but rather on understanding advanced topics.
Common misconceptions prior to entering an engineering college:
Engineering requires knowledge of math only.
Coaching will be sufficient.
The importance of communication skills cannot be overlooked.
College itself will teach everything.
One important thing that all students should understand about engineering: curiosity is rewarded.
Start the Road to Engineering with Math Foundation
Nearly all branches of engineering rely heavily on mathematics, whether civil, mechanical, electrical, computer, or others. Logic, numbers, calculations – they are an inescapable part of everything in engineering.
The Core Role of Math in Engineering Education
Mathematics promotes logical and systematic reasoning; how to attack problems and then solve them step-by-step.
What You Should Brush up before Joining University
Topic
Importance
Algebra
Learn to solve equations with ease.
Basic Calculus
Understand changes and movement.
Trigonometry
Essential for most measurements and designs.
Statistics and Probability
Make informed predictions and analysis with data.
How to Increase your Speed and Accuracy
Practice answering small numbers of problems daily.
Use a stopwatch to test how much time it takes you to solve them.
Never neglect your errors.
Challenge yourself by tackling at least one complex problem per day.
Challenge yourself: Can you explain your method for the answer you found? If so, you’re making progress!
Practice analytical and logical thinking skills
Engineering is not rote learning of a lot of notes.
Engineering requires thinking “Why has this happened?” and “How can it be improved?”.
Learn how to break problems into smaller parts
If you have a big problem you can always break it down to make it easier.
For example, a robot has stopped working; an engineer will test: is the robot getting power? Is the sensors working? Is the code correct? Is the robot able to move?
Improve your ability to reason and make decisions
Good reasoning helps in exams and projects, helping you not guess the right answer. You can always compare choices together and choose the best one.
Ways to Improve logical thinking:
Puzzles
Chess
Coding games
Brain teasers
Sudoku
Science experiments
How entrance preparation improves your analytical ability
Entrance preparation tests the mind so that one can think and relate subjects quicker.
Develop Communication and Presentation Skills
Most students disregard the importance of communication until much later in their lives.
Engineers need Communication skills as much as technical skills:
Ideas are useless if no one else understands them
Engineers must communicate designs, report findings and cooperate in teams.
Speak clearly and present ideas with confidence
Practice speaking simply.
Explain a concept to a friend or family member. If they understand you, then your communication strategy is successful.
Write effective reports, e-mail and project reports.
Begin with:
Good organization.
Short sentences.
Accurate grammar.
Simple language.
Develop Professional communication habits early on
Listen actively, ask questions, and speak with respect. These will contribute toward future interviews and internship success.
Gain Essential Computer and Digital Skills
Modern engineering is heavily reliant on technology.
Core Computer Competencies for Aspiring Engineers
Prior to submitting your application, become familiar with:
File management
Internet searching
Basic typing skills
Presentation software
Spreadsheets
Operating Systems and Productivity Tools
Be familiar with common computer operations.
Learn how to create and manage folders efficiently.
Introduction to Coding and Programming Concepts
You will not need to be an advanced programmer.
However, being introduced to the concepts of:
Variables
Loops
Logic
Simple programming principles
may give you a jump-start.
Digital Literacy for an Evolving Engineering Curriculum
Discover how to find trustworthy information and cut through digital noise.
Set up Time management and Self-Discipline
University is liberating. Yet with liberty comes discipline.
Juggling Academics Without burning out
Steady revision over last-minute long hours of study.
Take rests, sleep sufficiently.
Making effective study schedules
Here is a basic example:
Time
Task
Morning
Challenging topics
Afternoon
Problem practice
Evening
Revision
Setting Achievable Goals and Measuring performance
Small goals yield huge gains.
Measure:
Hours of revision
Units studied
Progress each week
Fostering consistency before college begins
Consistency trumps motivation.
An hour each day, done with focus, is enough.
Develop Problem Solving & Critical Thinking Skill
Think Beyond Memorization
Don’t just ask “What is the answer?”
Ask why, ask how, ask what if the constraints change.
Solving technical problems with process
Go through the cycle: Understand, Plan, Test, Improve
Thinking creatively for solution
Engineering require creativity. Simple innovative solutions can resolve many huge issues.
Engineering Thinking – Examples in daily life
Traffic control, mobile applications, bridges, and water filters, all of these were initially invented as an answer for problems in our lives.
Stimulate Curiosity and a Learning attitude
Technology evolves fast.
Those who cease to learn will lag behind.
Why Engineering students need to be lifelong learners
New methods and techniques come to fore almost every year.
Keep your minds open for learning.
Asking More Relevant questions and exploring in depth:
Instead of asking-
What should I memorize?
Ask-
How is this supposed to work?
Learning by Doing (Experiments and hands-on exposure)
Attempt
Small project work
Science models
Online tutorials
Home made activities
Being aware of evolving technological trends.
Read articles; see relevant videos on the topic and try out new concepts.
Teamwork and Cooperation 101:
Rarely a lone wolf
Most engineering tasks involve teamwork
You need to learn to collaborate
Learning to work in teams and delegate:
Value everyone’s ideas
Fairly assign tasks
Resolving disputes and boosting coordination:
Conflict will arise
Work toward solutions, not towards convincing others:
Leadership traits conducive for an engineering student:
Calmness
Clear communication
Teammate support
Building Emotional Resilience and Adaptability
College is an exciting time that’s full of change.
Dealing with the Academic Rigor and Competition
It’s not about comparing your growth to that of others on a daily basis. It’s about progressing!
Embracing challenges and learning from failure
Everyone is bound to make mistakes during their transition. What matters is learning and moving on from the setbacks.
Developing Confidence during your transition into college
Sign up for new activities or talk to new people that you would typically not approach. It all adds to your college confidence.
Persistence through tough times
Constantly remind yourself why you are working hard. Small milestones add up!
Learn hands-on, and technically
Attend Science Fairs, WorkShops etc.
There’s nothing like “learning by doing” to remember facts and information.
Experience Robotics, coding, innovation activities etc.
Find your passion through multiple domains before you specialise.
Learn via online learning platforms and communities
Benefit from expert knowledge and discussions.
Transforming “Wonder” to “Works”
Build a simple thing. You’ll learn quickly.
Develop the Ability of Research and Information Collection
Search for credible information and self-learn:
Verify data and correlate info.
Technical Reading and Documentation Familiarization:
Practice reading of formal documents.
Effective Notes and Study Material Management:
Have tidy notes both on-line and off-line.
Master self-learning:
Self-learning skills will prove to be extremely useful throughout the whole of your engineering career.
Financial awareness and career planning prior to entry
Engineering is a long term investment.
Course fees and educational investment- what is included and not
Understand: tuition, living costs, books/supplies
Future career prospects in engineering
Investigate industry sectors and positions.
Relate individual preferences and talents to engineering specialization
Base decision on aptitude, not popularity.
Long term academic and career planning goals
Formulate goals in terms of skills to acquire, opportunities for internships, and opportunities for advancement.
Student mistakes to avoid before engineering admission
Don’t make these mistakes
Mistake
Don’t do this
Don’t follow trends
Apply based on interest.
Don’t neglect basics
Build core concepts strong.
Don’t only rely on coaching
Study independently.
Don’t neglect soft skills
Develop communication.
Ensure that when you apply your decision corresponds to your aim.
Checklist for development of prerequisite skills prior to admission of future engineers
Checklist for Academic Readiness
* Arithmetic operations
* Logic reasoning
* Good study habit
Checklist for Technical Readiness
* Computer literacy
* Programming basics
* Internet knowledge
Checklist for Personal Growth
* Communication skills
* Teamwork capability
* Discipline
Checklist for Self Confidence
* Specific aim/objective
* Optimistic attitude
* Readiness for learning
Last words: Master the skills before choosing the major in engineering.
Engineering actually begins even before you’re admitted. The way you behave, think and prepare has more influence than the reputation of your college name. If you’re planning your further education, be prepared for mastering skills first. One fact every student needs to know: the best students are not necessarily the most intelligent ones, but the most prepared. Study hard, choose wise, and make your admission a new phase of success.