Good Study Habits for Professional Engineers

of Tomorrow

Instructor(s)Date

Email(s)

Learning Objectives

Goal: To develop good study habits to prepare for the engineering professionFor students to become conscientious lifelong learners capable of coping with real world challenges in engineering academia and careers;To acquaint students with the different approaches to learning; and the theories and practices associated with engineering knowledge and learning; andTo go above and beyond - prepare students for the future.

Good Study Habits?

What are good study habits for engineering students?

To attend every lecture and always sit in the front row?

To complete all laboratory works carefully?

To prepare well for every quiz and examinations? What does that mean?

…etc.?

Questionnaire Exercise

What are your own personal study habits?

Have they changed from high school?

Do you know your strengths (If so, please list)?

Do you know your weaknesses (If so, please list)?

Going Forward: Helpful Study Tips and Beneficial Habits

• Don’t trash your materials• Make it personal

• There are no stupid questions• Don’t be lazy

• The more the merrier• The waiting game

• Don’t overdo it• It’s a fine line

• 99% costs millions• Don’t give up

Don’t trash your materials

Take good notes, and keep them after your classes have finished. Engineering textbooks can be dense, but do all your reading. Keep different color highlighters and page markers handy. After the class is over, keep the most useful textbooks as reference. You will realize that your notes, annotations, and highlighting will be invaluable. You may even want to keep a “Quick Reference” notebook, allowing you rapid access to your most-used formulas.

Make it PersonalDevelop a relationship with your professors so you feel comfortable approaching them and asking for help. Get to know one or two key professors particularly well, and turn to them for help with your homework, insight into the industry, and even job or program references.

There are no stupid questions

Ask questions, both in class and outside of it. Your professors want you to learn. But if the only thing you ever ask is, “Will this be on the test?” then you are not taking advantage of their knowledge or willingness to help.

Ask for additional examples to clarify difficult equations and concepts. More often than not, your fellow students will thank you for speaking up, and your professor will appreciate your active investment in the material.

Don’t be lazy

Try to solve a problem before requesting help. Even if you’re totally lost, make a legitimate, prolonged effort to solve a problem before asking for help. When you do seek help, be prepared to discuss what you tried already, and bring your notebook showing your attempts.

The More the MerrierForm or join a study group. Working alone can get exasperating if you find yourself stuck on a problem. Working with others will not only introduce other viewpoints to approaching a problem, it will also provide encouragement and camaraderie in the face of frustration. In a group, you may have the opportunity to teach someone else, and one of the most effective ways of ensuring you understand something is by explaining it to someone else. Before you move past a subject, make sure you not only answered the question but also can replicate and explain the process. Each new subject and concept will build on the last, so don’t move on until you’ve mastered each new idea.

The Waiting Game…

Procrastination is an epidemic. At least 80% of students suffer from

procrastination.

Don’t overdo it!

Skip the honors class. In the engineering field, your GPA matters. If you struggle in

calculus, don’t kill yourself in Honors Calculus; take the

easier class, learn the material thoroughly, and obtain the

higher grade. This type of class also allows you more freedom to

expand into extracurricular activities and enhance your

networking options.

It’s a fine line…

Learn when to lead and when to step back. Engineers often work in teams, and every team has one or more leaders. You should feel comfortable in both leading and following the directions of others. Hone your leadership skills and learn how to effectively influence group decisions, but recognize when your contribution should be to take orders and when to follow direction.

99% costs Millions

Be a perfectionist. It has been said that “In the working engineer world, a 99% correct product can cost millions of dollars in damages.” Adopt the mindset of practicing something until it is perfect, as opposed to going as quickly as possible and settling for a B. When your work is 100%, even if it is slower, it is more valuable.

Don’t Give Up!Take heart and persevere. Engineering is a difficult course of study for everyone, no exceptions! Frustration can lead to feeling like a loser. Every future engineer has struggled through seemingly impossible problem sets, cranky professors, and sickening exams. In the midst of all of this, recognize that you are challenging yourself like never before, and push onward, it will be worth your efforts.

What else can I do?

Sometimes it isn’t about the classes, lectures, labs and study habits, sometimes, it comes down to how you spend your free time – do you go

above and beyond?

Going Above and Beyond(summary)

• Start building a portfolio NOW• Work on constantly improving.

• Don’t be afraid to identify your flaws, and fix them. • When you are part of a team, try to create a way to get

feedback from team members, group leaders, and professors. You’ll be learning how to accept—and give—

constructive criticism. • Learn another language, take a business class, an extra

humanities, art or philosophy class. • Think about a summer internship

• Research those resources!

Going Above and BeyondDevelop a portfolio of projects

Participate in every hands-on opportunity that a balanced schedule allows, especially those outside the classroom. You’ll be far more likely to retain the knowledge you've gained in classes because you'll be applying it and, in the process, boosting your communication and interpersonal skills.Future employers look for both coursework and relevant experience, and a well-organized and articulate portfolio will be invaluable during your job search. Your practical project experience will also reinforce the “in theory” knowledge you gain in class.

Going Above and BeyondLearn another language

Engineering knows no political or cultural borders; engineers are in demand

everywhere in the world. Increase your worth by becoming proficient in another language, and don’t be afraid to think of

your career on a global level. Want to build bridges in China? You should learn

Mandarin.

Going Above and BeyondMake your summers productive

Employers place tremendous value on practical experience. Get a summer internship. One of the best portfolio

buildings blocks is the summer internship. Internships do more than build your

resume; they demonstrate to potential employers that you can commit to a long-

term role and work as part of a team

Going Above and BeyondResearch Your Resources

Professional engineering associations, such as the National Society of Professional Engineers, are an invaluable resource for jobs, advice, and networking. Identify

organizations that share your values and interests, and make as many contacts as possible. Learn the value of networking. When it comes to being a leader, WHO you know is almost as important as WHAT you know. Attend lectures on your campus and introduce yourself to the

speakers. Check with your school's alumni association to get a list of alumni from your program who want to connect

with undergraduates. Take the time to Get Involved!

Conclusion

While everyone is an individual and each person will find more value in one approach than another, these basic skills and suggestions should help you

as you navigate your way through engineering courses.

Most importantly, don’t forget to ask for help from your professors if you need it, and don’t give up,

you will be glad you didn’t in the end.