IHAVE a confession to make: I am an engineer. Yes, they really do let us write (occasionally). All joking aside, welcome to U.Va. For those of you who plan to become engineers, you have an arduous path in front of you, but that is not to say you can't have a good time in the process! After surviving the engineering school for a year I figured I could impart some of my newfound wisdom.
When you get to Charlottesville you will no longer have your parents or much of anyone to look over your shoulder. While this can be extremely fun, caution is the word of the day. Practicing good study and work habits from the very beginning can be highly beneficial.
Most U.Va. engineers come to Charlottesville having enjoyed massive success in their respective high schools, and it can be a shock for some that it is indeed necessary to (gasp!) study. Courses move quickly, and you could find yourself left behind if you neglect your studies. It is a good idea to set aside a specific amount of time for studying. Also, think about joining a study group. If nothing else, a study group forces you to show up and open your book. Don't be afraid to ask for help, as someone will undoubtedly come to you for help at some time.
On a similar note, be sure to schedule your time wisely. From something as simple as scheduling your classes to managing when you eat, sleep, work and play, having a routine is very important. Everyone has a different preference as to when they like to schedule classes, so find out what is right for you. It is also important to eat and exercise regularly. Being a sedentary blob of calculus problems is not healthy!
Most importantly, go to class! It is simple to rationalize away that sleep is more important than class, but there simply is no substitute for going to class. When you get up into the higher level courses it will take about four hours of study time to make up for a single hour of missed class. At this rate you can quickly fall behind if you take a cavalier attitude to attending classes.
Keep the partying on the weekend. Many of the College of Arts and Crafts people (can you hear them making the calculator jokes already?) don't have classes on Friday or only late in the day lectures. This turns Thursday nights into big party nights. Don't fall into this trap as you will find yourself falling asleep in class on Fridays.
For the first years, forge a good relationship with your professors; especially your ENGR 162 professor. Your ENGR 162 professor can provide a good deal of insight into the experience that is the engineering school. He will also be a good resource for any questions you might have.
Now, as much fun as linear algebra or materials science may be, try to remember not to stay in your room the whole year. It is important to get out and meet new people. Doing things with friends offsets the stress of working hard. If you don't choose to "party" in the stereotypical college sense (read: get drunk and forget your first name), there are still plenty of activities out there to keep things moving. The University has an extremely large number of CIOs (basically clubs) as well as your traditional and academic fraternities and sororities. The best advice I can give is to get involved with some group or another (The Cavalier Daily might even let another engineer write something!)
Be sure to take a wide variety of classes. While it is tempting to finish all of your major's requirements as soon as humanly possible, remember to try and balance the equation. The College offers a wide array of classes which can provide a nice change from the strict regimen of hard-core calculus and sciences. (Not to mention you can definitely impress people with your amazing integration skills!)
By far the most important piece of advice I can give is to have fun. At times the E-School will feel overwhelming, oppressive and perhaps insurmountable, but it is possible to survive and have a good time while doing it. Just remember: At the end of the day you will get a "real" job unlike those other kids.
(Daniel Bagley can be reached at dbagley@cavalierdaily.com.)
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