Calling all ME's

[xirforever]

Hey guys, im just wondering how many of you on here are mechanical engineers? Right now im working for my degree in it, and my sophomore year is really proving very, very difficult. I keep hearing that sophomore year is the hardest, but im not sure how true that can be with circuits, heat transfer, differential equations, dynamics, mechanics of materials, and all that good stuff right around the corner... how many of you got burnt out? Right now im liking statics, but it takes forever..... and im not really a fan of thermodynamics, or physics II, although the labs for physics II are pretty cool sometimes. gotta love the "magic" those EE's are crazy about.

~Nick

 

[cribbj]

Nick, I'm an EE, not a ME, but thought I'd chime in with some general advise.

Your first two years in any engineering discipline are going to be pretty much the same; it's not until your Junior & Senior years that you begin to take specialised mechanical courses.

Many universities and profs set up the first two years (and especially the first year) to be ballbusters in order to weed out the guys/girls who aren't really serious. What I can tell you is that if you're finding the courses are really interesting, but just tough, then hang on, it'll get better. But if they're both tough AND not very interesting, then you might want to consider changing majors.....

Also, if you're not feeling very good about thermodynamics, you might want to think about specialising in another area of ME, for example, structural?

Hopefully AndrewS will chime in here also, as I believe he's a degreed ME.

 

[Muzza_NZ]

Hi Nick,
Right now I'm studying towards a Ph.D in Elec Eng (after a few years away from University), and agree completely with what John has said above.

This is what I've told my students that are struggling with their intermediate (first) and first professional (second) years:

The first two years aren't really about learning per say, they're about trying to keep your head above water. Academics are really testing you on your ability to cope, rather than helping you to 'enjoy' engineering. The good stuff comes when you start to specialise in the subjects that you really find interesting.

So hang in there buddy, it does get better.

 

[Chop&Change]

Nick,

I've done Mechanical Engineering, and am a few months away from finishing Electrical, and I can well remember the days when the loads of Mechanical assignments and tests built up, and the pressure before exams was usually pretty intense.
The thing to remember, is that they don't make the courses easy, otherwise everyone would do it, they take a bit of hard work, so basically all you need to do is pull finger, head down arse up, and you will be surprised at how it will all come together.
Thermodynamics takes a little bit to get your head around, but when you realise that it is all just a bunch of formulae, and you really just need to appreciate how you "apply" them to different questions.

So bottom line, if you have the determination to get through it, I guarantee, that it will fly past so quickly, and thermodynamic worries will become a thing of the past, and you can spend more time working on your projects!

 

[andrew k.]

xirforever,
What you are learning in your studies is not necessarily what you will need to know in the work environment. My self being 30 plus years out of school, I might not be qualified to comment about current curriculum and standards. The institution of school is in itself a means to judge how people might perform. Completing the required courses and ending up with a diploma may earn you a degree in Engineering but I have worked with many “Degreed Engineers” that were a total loss as far as innovative thinking.
School is supposed to be difficult. Graduating does not (or should not) stop the learning process. You are being given the tools to do a job. Stay passionate about whatever you undertake and you will not only be successful but also happy. Thermo dynamics are a snap, remember, the greater the gradient the greater the flow. Physics are just the rules and laws of the universe.
You will look back in a very few short years after graduation and think about how much more you have learned since then. You degree in Mechanical Engineering is just the ticket for the ride of your life. Stick with it and never stop learning.

 

[Cobber]

It took me almost 15 years to get mine through part time and correspondence.
I completed a mechanical apprenticship in te UK with an aerospace company, studied 4 nights a week for the next 4 years to get my dip eng and then adv dip eng specialising in fluid power, I then moved to Australia worked as a hydraulic designer for 7 years and continued studing to complete mech eng and Tribology. I managed to do all this while working a full time job and moving to another country, booking holiday to go to Uni, night classes, unpaid leave etc.

I now work as an engineer for a global company and enjoy my job and where it takes me.

The piece of paper opens doors but if you cant apply it those doors soon close.

There are plenty of people that dont have that piece of paper but are very highly respected because they can apply their knowledge or skills.

I agree with you Andrew "never stop learning" I like to learn somthing new each day and understand why.

Enjoy it, the tough stuff just clicks and becomes easy stuff.
I would do it all over again in a flash.

 

[MightyAl]

I am an ME graduate from UMR in '99. Where are you going to school XIR?? The first couple years are definitely a pain in the ass. I would advise you to get invovlved in your department. I started going to department events the last semester and a half I was at school and wish I would have done it sooner.

 

[cribbj]

I'm UMR class of '72. Department involvement was always good for a few discretionary points at midterm & the final grade. Prof's always appreciate unpaid help with their projects.

Go Miners!

 

[longy]

Im a first year ME student. I understand what your saying about Statics, i like it but my tut teacher manages to make it really boring. i have started thermodynamics yet so i cant comment on that, but i agree with you on physics 2.

Is sophomore year first year? if it is i may meet you in 3.5 years at the FSAE (if either of our cars are any good)

 

[jibbby]

I'm a ham and egger with a degree in backyard mechanics.... You guys are all heads... Hats off to you all....

Go Xirforever and get the grade then get paid....