How to Find Your Footing as an Engineering Student

Engineering majors are notorious for being intense with demanding long hours, sharp focus, and constant problem-solving. Being in the middle of all that pressure, it is easy for one to start wondering if one really belongs in this field at all. 

Feeling a bit lost at first is totally normal; don’t let it get you down. Adjusting to life as an engineering student takes some patience and persistence. To make the transition smoother, here are five tips to help you find your footing.

Find a community

In any major, you need to do your part in finding a community. Finding students in the same program or similar classes as you can ease the burden you will feel with your course load. It’ll also help with having friends to talk to when you feel overwhelmed, who will easily be able to understand, as they will be in the same boat as you are.

Having a community you can learn from and lean on can bring a sense of stability to your program. Whether it’s attending engineering networking events, striking up conversations in class, or actively participating in tutorials and labs, each connection helps you create a supportive “village” ready to back you up when you need it.

Accept the loss

Engineering programs are challenging, and that’s completely normal. You’re tackling a career’s worth of knowledge in just four years, which is no small feat. Along the way, it’s okay not to excel at everything or to feel unsure at times; those moments are simply part of the learning journey.

Engineering programs as a whole are a learning curve. From your first year to your fourth, you will continuously be learning and adapting to the environment around you. Because of that, you shouldn’t allow yourself to feel discouraged if you fail to understand a concept or struggle to solve an equation. You work at your own pace. Allow yourself to fail and make mistakes because that is the only way you will truly learn! Be easy on yourself and take it one day at a time.

Understand, not memorize

We’ve all been there: cramming for an exam that’s in two days, and you have no time to comprehend what you’re reading. Instead, your mind is focused on memorizing everything your eyes touch on.

While this is common and normal for every student to go through, it’s not always effective if you still want to see positive results in your success. 

Although every engineering student at some point has pulled an all-nighter to memorize a concept, the majority of the time, it will all be forgotten by the time of your test or exam because your brain cannot absorb and understand concepts that quickly. 

During the semester, after your lectures and tutorials, take an hour or two to study the new material you’ve been taught and set aside time to learn it. Understand it. Ask questions if you don’t know something, study it back and forth until you feel confident to be able to explain it to someone who has no clue what the material is about. School is all about learning, especially in engineering. By taking that extra step to understand everything that you are being taught, you will be able to succeed in your program. 

Plan ahead

In your early twenties and young-adult years, no one expects you to have your entire future mapped out. However, that’s not to say that you shouldn’t have a rough plan for where you want your future to head.

Look at the program you’re in, see what the job market is like, and where your opportunities can lead you. Does the career require travelling for most of your years? Will finding internships and co-ops now give you a better opportunity at landing your dream job? Will that university engineering club allow you to find good references? It’s important to take all these (and more!) into consideration. Picking your program is the easy part; navigating your way through it is another story.

 Take time to reflect on the future you envision and where you stand today. Ask yourself tough questions—do you want to start a family, or move to a country you’ve never been to? You need to be prepared, or at least have an idea of every outcome that can unravel in your life. Planning doesn’t ever stop, but it does give you an advantage you didn’t know you were looking for. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Everyone knows how competitive the engineering field is, including the students studying in it. However, this shouldn’t deter you from asking for advice or help when you need it. 

No one can manage on their own, especially in a rigorous program. But there are always people around you to help. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your TA or professor for help; it’s their job to help students like you. Talk to your academic advisor if you find your course load too overwhelming. Go to your university's writing centre when you’re struggling with your essay, and above all, their mental health services if you feel that you need them.

These resources are in place for students to use so that they know they aren’t alone. You shouldn’t feel intimidated asking for help when even the smartest of professors and engineers need a lend of hand. Remember, you don’t need to do it all on your own. 

Finding your footing in your program doesn’t happen overnight. It can take a year or two before you truly feel confident as an engineering student. There will always be highs and lows along the way, but ultimately, it’s up to you to shape the experience into something meaningful.