Why is engineering (education) full of horror stories?

[clickynext]

I hear about engineering drop outs all the time. People who aren't yet in college say "wow" when I say I'm going to engineering. People currently in college say "good luck" in a sort of "you'll need it" tone. People finished college just snicker. So what gives? How come it's so hard? Just my luck that the only education outside of music that interests me has already put me on a supposed walk of doom.

 

[robothouse77]

because you are focused on school wayyy more than any other major. if you have 12 credit hours of engineering, it seems roughly equivalent to 21 hours of an arts and science major. be prepared for late nights (quite often), homework/projects on weekends, and just about the worst cram sessions for finals.

 

[lozina]

'cause there's no girls in engineering classes?

 

[talyn00]

supposedly its alot of work, and spending alot of time with mostly guys. as there arent too many female engineers. but i really wouldn't know i'm was CS not engineering

 

[jman19]

While this is not the rule, in general an engineering track means lots of work, not much time for a social life, a lack of girls in your classes, and some pretty odd classmates.

 

[habib89]

the combination of long nights with no girls is not something to be proud of

i just graduated with a bsme and i'm glad i did it.. it wasn't easy, but it was an experience and i made some really great friends.. and there was one hot girl, and i'm sure she knew everyone stared at her

 

[mchammer187]

because alot of people end up very bitter

 

[Epic Fail]

Originally posted by: habib89
the combination of long nights with no girls is not something to be proud of

i just graduated with a bsme and i'm glad i did it.. it wasn't easy, but it was an experience and i made some really great friends.. and there was one hot girl, and i'm sure she knew everyone stared at her

pics?

 

[jaybert]

Originally posted by: talyn00
supposedly its alot of work, and spending alot of time with mostly guys. as there arent too many female engineers. but i really wouldn't know i'm was CS not engineering

oh yeah...cause there is no work and plenty of hot female CS majors....*snicker*

(this is coming from a 5th year CS major @ Cornell)

 

[Legend]

Because a bunch of people that either aren't too bright or don't know how to concentrate on work sign up for engineering their freshmen year because it makes a lot of money. Something like 20% of initial engineer majors make it in my college.

Don't worry though. If you're dedicated, it's cake. My high school was so rigorous that engineering is actually easier.

 

[Rudee]

I got my MechEng in 4yrs after attending University rather late in life (was in my late 20's at the time). The most stressful part was in the first couple semesters, thus if you can get through the first year, it's pretty much the same or easier from that point on. I attended while working part time, having a girlfriend and all that stuff. It wasn't as bad as people make it out to be. Linear Algebra and Thermodynamics were probably the most grueling if you didn't keep up with homework. Lots of people took those courses twice.

 

[talyn00]

Originally posted by: habib89
the combination of long nights with no girls is not something to be proud of

i just graduated with a bsme and i'm glad i did it.. it wasn't easy, but it was an experience and i made some really great friends.. and there was one hot girl, and i'm sure she knew everyone stared at her

you sure she wasn't just an econ major that accidentally went into the wrong room?

 

[boi]

Just manage your time and you should be able to handle your engineering coursework and a social life.

 

[sunzt]

Meh, depends if:

1) You like the type of engineering you're doing and know what career doors will be open to you with a degree

2) You are willing to tough it out and really want it


If you are confident about 1 AND 2 then you should see getting your engineering degree as a positive experience.

 

[dr150]

I have EXTREME RESPECT for engineers that put in those long hours on Friday nights and weekends. They deserve to graduate with the highest salaries from college for their dedication and focus!!

 

[Legend]

I'd also like to add that engineering for girls is a win-win situation.

If they can handle it and they aren't dirt ugly, they're pratically guaranteed to find someone to marry by graduation that's also an engineer. Double engineer salary. You're family income will start out at about $100,000.

 

[Continuity28]

Originally posted by: Legend
I'd also like to add that engineering for girls is a win-win situation.

If they can handle it and they aren't dirt ugly, they're pratically guaranteed to find someone to marry by graduation that's also an engineer. Double engineer salary. You're family income will start out at about $100,000.

I call dibs on first girl engineer.

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: Rudee
The most stressful part was in the first couple semesters, thus if you can get through the first year, it's pretty much the same or easier from that point on.

This is easily the biggest lie in this thread. It's just an assinine comment really.

 

[Spencer278]

Originally posted by: Legend
I'd also like to add that engineering for girls is a win-win situation.

If they can handle it and they aren't dirt ugly, they're pratically guaranteed to find someone to marry by graduation that's also an engineer. Double engineer salary. You're family income will start out at about $100,000.

plus as a bonus they can find 50 guys just waiting to do there work for them.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: jman19
While this is not the rule, in general an engineering track means lots of work, not much time for a social life, a lack of girls in your classes, and some pretty odd classmates.

qft, especially on lots of work.. for 1 midterm, my brother studied 18 hours nonstop - no eating, sleeping, drinking, nothing

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: beer

Originally posted by: Rudee
The most stressful part was in the first couple semesters, thus if you can get through the first year, it's pretty much the same or easier from that point on.

This is easily the biggest lie in this thread. It's just an assinine comment really.

Personally I agree with him. I found the first engineering courses to be more difficult. I guess it's because you have to take the inroductory courses and when you get on to more advanced courses, you can select the ones you want to take in the field you're more interested in. Lots of people say that graduate school is easier than undergrad because of this too (and that was my experience as well).

 

[m2kewl]

b/c real engineering take skills.

wannabes don't put robots on mars!!

 

[Legend]

This is easily the biggest lie in this thread. It's just an assinine comment really.

I agree. My first couple of semesters were jokes.

It wasn't until my 2nd semester sophomore year until I was challanged, and it hit me like a brick. Signals and Systems with a professor that wrote the book. 15 hours a HW a week for that single class was typical.

Edit: Actually S&S was my junior year. I'm forgetting it already...that may be preferrable.

 

[dighn]

it's a lot of work, that's why. at my school, the course load is essentially 5 years compressed into 4. the courses are all very technical with more information than you can realistically absorb (luckily they don't test you on everything but it's still daunting), and there are constantly large projects to work on (i enjoyed most of them though being the geek that i am)

honestly though, aside from the stress of frequent exams, i didn't find it too bad

oh yeah i'm talking about computer engineering, but the others are about the same i imagine.

 

[SaturnX]

Yeah it's all because it's a lot of work, lots of hours, I've spent over 12 hours in a lab on a sunday trying to get my lab going for the wednesday of that week, but had a bunch of other stuff I had to do for later that same week. Basically it's not going to be a walk in the park to complete your degree.

Call me what you will, but I love it, I love what I'm learning, in 1st year I wasn't sure, but when I started taking my specialized courses I knew right away it's what I want to study. Besides my girlfriend's in engineering as well and she's great.

--Mark