Life Choice, Update page 2, read the first post though Options

[devilsden97]

ok, so this is gonna be another "piss and moan" thread...sorta.

So as some of you know, I am a college student, studyign to become an Engineer. My current place of employment has me working hand in hand with engineers, so it gives me real-time job experience in the field that I want to go into.

Well...so I thought that is what I wanted to go into. The last year of college (my first year as an Engineering student) has kicked my ass. [Prior I attend college for CAD. (computer aided drafting)] I failed Calc I, two times, and it has really messed up my scheduleing. (as if that was the worst of it.) After about the first 3 weeks, I honestly, legitimatly, hated getting up to go to class. Not because its early, or because its class, because i knew everyday was going to make me mad, or make me feel dumb.

I am begining to think I can't do the work that is associated to become an engineer. My calculus teacher says that I am not trying hard enough. Which could very well be true, but at the same time, i value friends, and other relationships to be as important, or more important then 35 calculus problems. So comes the notion of, "just try harder."

Maybe I just don't want to try harder, and becoming an engineer to me isnt worth the time, or dare I say sacrafice. I like the work I do now, even tho somedays I really hate, most days are decent.

When it comes to what else id be interested in doing, i cant think of anything that really intriques me enough to major in it.


I know some of you guys on here actually know me in person, and have talked to me. I also understand all dont know me very well, but I am just looking for any insite or personal experiences that may help me make some sort of a decison.

Thanks.

Miguel aka "Migga"


(really wasnt that pissy and moany...but its pretty complainy.)

ps. any questions just ask. Ill basicly share whatever, because i want some REAL unbias opinons.


Edit: Update Page 2.

This post has been edited by devilsden97: Jun 23, 2007 - 12:33 AM

[BlackCelicaGT94]

What kind of engineer are you looking to become?

I work for a transportation engineering firm here in Washington if youre interested :-)

[97lestyousay]

Work harder, I have actually contemplated going back
to school to be an M.E. I really like machining but, for
the knowlage I have I am maxed out in pay without an
engineering degree. I already am doing half the job with prints
and design corrections for the ones I work with. I think you would
make a good engineer, you seem to have good attention to detail
which is very important as an M.E. imo

Bit of info which almost all the grad students I have worked with overlook.
Know your fits.( slip, press and tolerances to make them correct)
I see it almost everyday, mating parts drawn the same size + or - .005
Fit on a computer is not the same as real world.
Bosses and holes the same size don't mate.(without a hammer )

[orvillescelica]

Bit of info which almost all the grad students I have worked with overlook.
Know your fits.( slip, press and tolerances to make them correct)
I see it almost everyday, mating parts drawn the same size + or - .005
Fit on a computer is not the same as real world.
Bosses and holes the same size don't mate.(without a hammer )

This is good advice that i learned in grad school. If you want to make a part, draft it up, then go and talk to the machinist and ask his advice about the tolerances. Talk to him/her about what you are looking for and theyll help out to make it just right.

Anyway, about the subject on hand. I dont know if this is going to help you or discourage you, but ill go ahead and tell my side of engineering anyway. Engineering IS math. Thats the short of it. I was never too great in math class either, but applying that math to the engineering concepts came a lot more natural to me. Maybe its the same way for you. By your senior year of engineering you should figure that out if you havent already. Next, having been out of school and working for a year, i can tell you that being a working real world engineer has made me work harder than i ever have in school, made me feel dumber than i ever have and more incompetent than ever before. And i was in grad school where at least one day a week i would go to class in the morning and then work in the lab until midnight, most of the times not eating all day. Real world engineering and college engineering do require a lot of work. It requires you to try hard, harder than you should for results that may not be important, but you need to do it, simply because it needs to be done. You say that Friends are more important than 35 problems, i agree. But there is a balance between those two that you can find, trust me. If you set aside your friends for one or two nights for those problems, they will understand and be there when youre done. If you set aside those problems for your friends, the college might not be as forgiving and the degree youve put so many hours into for already might never come. If you can, push through to graduation. Actually try hard, study, and see what you can really do. It doesnt matter if you dont even use your degree after college, as long as you prove to yourself that you could and that you did, youll know that you can do anything. If you just sort of coast through without giving it a real try, then youll always wonder what if and leave doubts for the future.

[ILuvMyCelica95]

I am begining to think I can't do the work that is associated to become an engineer. My calculus teacher says that I am not trying hard enough. Which could very well be true, but at the same time, i value friends, and other relationships to be as important, or more important then 35 calculus problems. So comes the notion of, "just try harder."

to me, that right there is a big problem. Your education should come before your social life.

I understand what your saying. Not too many people enjoy doing things in life that are necessary.

I think you should REALLY apply yourself and see what the result is.

Take time out of your day for the homework and cut out all distractions. I used to go to the library to do homework because i knew there would be no distractions there.

Shut off your phone, unplug the internet, whatever it takes and just get your work done. You'd be surprised how quickly you will accomplish things without distractions. The time spent dwelling on how much you dont want to do work is time that could be spent just sucking it up and getting it done.

I dont think you should feel stupid. You're not stupid your just not applying yourself.

[Boss-Celica]

Maybe you should change your major. I went through the same phase. I started with Electrical Engineering, then changed to Computer Science and now I'm at Web Programming which I am extremely happy with. It's not always about how much you'll be making in the future.

[GTSOwner]

Just a bit of background here.... I'm actually not in Engineering or anything even remote to that. I never even graduated college. I started off in college in Communications, Design and Graphic Arts. I was good at all the technical courses like Photoshop and such but was never really able to develop that creative touch that would be required of me as a Graphic Designer. Very frustrating. So I redirected myself towards a trade school in Pre-press Processes. A lot of hands on, no courses that don't really relate to what you're learning... I was happy like a pig in mud.

Nowadays, I work as a Digital Solutions Specialist in a company that sells digital document solutions (copiers, scanners, printers, and software to manage all that paper). Not what I studied in, but still having a lot of fun.

Now. Here are some things I've learned along the way.

1-Real life kicks school life's ass any day. School gives you some tools to survive, but they do not necessarily prepare you for the real world (besides, if they did, it would just be no fun )

2-"Decent" days do not cut it. If you can't say that you enjoy your job most of the time, if you say you can't get up in the morning wihout bitching and complaining for half an hour then that line of work might not be for you.

After about the first 3 weeks, I honestly, legitimatly, hated getting up to go to class. Not because its early, or because its class, because i knew everyday was going to make me mad, or make me feel dumb.

3-See #2

4-You work to live. Not the other way around.



Basically just try to determine if what you do is making you miserable or not and try to take that into account.

[devilsden97]

BlackCelicaGT94 - thanks for the offer but i dont plan on moving away quite yet...after all im only 20, and as discuseed here i dont have a degree in nething.

97lestyousay - I believe i want to be a mechanical engineer, right now i just really dont know if i wanna pursue it any more, or go in another direction.

orvillescelica - discourage. So here is a question for u, Was it worth it? did the end satisfy the means for u?

Boss-Celica - Ive changed my major once already, which really isnt a big deal, but besides engineering, i cant think of anything else id like to do. But all jobs have days that u would rather murder your boss, then go on working.

GTSOwner - I know its not always about how much u make, or whos the smartest. My think right now is that i REALLY dont think i can do it, and I honestly cant think of anything else id like to...i guess "try".

Iluvmycelica95 - Ive given up going out many a weekend/week so i could do hw. My point is, I work, go to school then come home and do hw. I give up weekends and weekday nights for hw. My buddy calls, asks to chill, and i say no, i have hw. He cant believe how much work i do. (neither can i sometimes).

I believe one of my MAJOR problems is that what i think is enough, isnt (obviously) but im not willing to give nemore. I'm really not willing to disappear off the face of the Earth for 4 to 5 months while class is in session. Yes, there is time to go out, and do things, but at the same time, im not gonna spend 75% of my non-school (classes)/work hours doing hw.

keep the opinions coming people. i appreciate it.

[snapshotgt]

Stay on track Miguel, apply yourself more -- and in the end you'll be happy you did. Just go balls out on it.

[pure_dx]

don't worry Miguel, you are not the only one who's going through this. I am in the same boat as you. Take some time off to get things straighten out, I've been thinking so much my head hurts, I just need a vocation, you should, too. A week, a couple weeks, maybe even months to get your mind straighten out. Best of luck, keep us updated.

[Racer_J]

Well, Engineering is a challenging and demanding career choice, this doesn't stop when you leave college either. I've been working in this field for ten years and its been hard, very hard at times. I too specialised in CAD, I work for a consultancy and have worked for several multi-national companies including a very well known American construction machinery manufacturer.

All I can say is, don't throw the towel in! It might seem like its too much for you at the minute but stick with it, it does get easier as you gain experience!

By the way... What CAD software were you using? Was it 3D or 2D CAD? In my job, I use Pro/Engineer so if you need any pointers, give me a shout! LOL

[daazndood]

hey dude, i just barely finished my first year for mechanical engineering. i was pretty much in the same situation as you. i missed alot of class and ALMOST failed calculus 1 twice. i ended up passing it the second time with a C and its sad becuase engineers are based around calculus.

first semester, despite missing over 50% of most of my classes i still pulled a 1.99, but for the second semester i really turned things around and got a 2.4. not much better but at least its an improvement.

i chose to study engineering. its up to our selves whether we do well in college or not. you just gotta sort things around, manage your time better so its not devoted just to studying or only hanging out with friends.

it seems like you really want to become an engineer.

do what you love and love what you do

[lagos]

friends come and go, but an engineering degree is for life.

[JonCars17]

My major is Computer Engineering because I like technology, but I'm good at math. When a teacher shows me how to workout a problem then I follow the steps and get it pretty qiuckly. I haven't taken Calculus 1 yet, but I have taken Calculus for Business Management and I ended up passing with a B+ because I slacked off at the beginning only making Bs over halfway throught th course. I say keep at it if you fill that is the career choice you want to go into. I chose Computer Engineering because I feel that I could never be completely happy with a job all of my life therefore I chose a field that I'm good at it and that changes all the time with it having a good future, which allows me to always have a job. My priority is family. If I choose a field then it must be a field that can easily find another job. Regardless of the field you choose, it will have things you dislike and like about it.

I don't hang out much myself because I'm focused on school and work. I'm a high school drop out and have had a job that I hated for years (I still hate it) and I saw it going no where. In Addition, I saw my brother go from job to job because they were laying him off. I don't want to end up like my brother.

This post has been edited by JonCars17: Jun 6, 2007 - 9:58 AM

[95CelicaST]

I know how that feels, to be incredibly frustrated with school and just wanting to quit, but you have to look at it in the long term.

For one, you need to drop your social life. Your social life is not going to earn you a passing grade. You need to go to school, go to work, come home and do your homework or if that particular class day was frustrating then you need to study. School isn't meant to be a cake walk. Its even worse when you get out of high school and decide "I'm going to take a break from school... you know, because I've been going for 12 years already."

The problem with that is that you get into the habit of NOT going to school, and then once you're in school it sucks. Personally I did not take this route because I knew that it would happen. I knew that if I didn't just keep rolling through that it could be 3, 4, 5 years down the road and I still am not in school. I was attending ITT before I even graduated High School. I was supposed to be finished this next quarter, but I have one more after that because I did the exact same thing you are. I spent some time with my social life in front of my school and it ended up costing me a lot of money, and a lot of time. But look at your priorities. The sooner you finish school, the sooner you will be done, have a good job, and nothing but time to be social.

We're all your friends on here Miguel, even though most of us haven't met you, we are all here to help. Your friends will understand you are finishing school, and a real friend will respect that. They aren't going to go anywhere. If they are real friends they will be waiting for you at the end. They will be the ones cheering you on at your graduation.

[x_itchy_b_x]

haha i think about this all the time. as long as i can put food on the table im happy. i work extremely hard just to have my car. there is no way id give up MY social life so some corporation can make a buck. i hate the system

[Culpable04]

you can't drop your social life, humans live in a society, so social life is a need.

the key here is balance, and what do you want out of life.

I wasted my fall 2006 semester because of the same problem you have, I barely passed my classes, I was not concentrating on my studies, missing homework and such, then I came to the same place you're right now. what I did to get out of that was, took a few days off work and went to relax and think about what was wrong, I realized that there was nothing wrong but my attitude, I felt so confortable with my job, that I lower my guards at school, I do enjoy my job right now, but I also wanna go higher on the ladder, is cool at my age to say what I do, but if I don't do anything to climb up, it won't sound so cool if I get to 50's doing the same thing like some of my co-workers, they all complaint about how they should have stayed on school and they didn't, and now they regret it, so I decided to not be part of the crow and focus my energy on school.

I still have some friends, not as many as I would like or I used to, but like most of people have said, school comes first, I also get to do some minor stuff on the celi, and travel once a year. I'm back on track and it feels really good, like when you take a little break and look back on your records you see you've done the right move and you're one little step closer to be where you wanna be.

[Sinyk]

I agree with 95CelicaST. It's a matter of priorities. These are real life sacrifices you have to make if you want to succeed. You can't say that you don't learn anything in school compared to the real world. You learn to prioritize and manage your time and finances better and you learn how deadlines work. Also, if your friends are your true friends, then they will understand what you are doing, respect it and support you with your decision. If you are doubting yourself, you may want to take a step back and decide if it's really what you want to do. If your social life is #1 and isn't going anywhere, then you may want to think of a different career path that requires less dedication and time commitment. If you are sure that college is where you want to be, take your first year and do general courses that can apply to almost any major like english, math, art electives, etc.

I completed my bachelor's in computer information systems and the first two years of it were hell. I was doing like 130% course load, 70 hours a week of homework was mandatory and I was starting to crack in the second year, but once I got my priorities straightened out and learned to manage my time better, it really wasn't that bad. What I do somewhat regret was the 2 1/2 years off I took in between highschool and college. Not much I could do about it, but I wish I had made up my mind sooner.

[devilsden97]

snapshotg - thanks for the encouragement

pure_dx - Im afraid that if i take time off from school, that i just wont go back. I love my summer vacation, even tho i work, when i get home from work, i just hang out, and relax. thats my 3 months of rest and self evaluation.

Racer_J - "By the way... What CAD software were you using? Was it 3D or 2D CAD? In my job, I use Pro/Engineer so if you need any pointers, give me a shout! LOL"

My company uses CadKey98, and a program called SolidWords, we are using the 2007 edition of solidworks. We use CK (cadkey) for some (very little) 2d work, and solidworks for ALL our 3d, and most of the 2d work. We are currently trying to phase out CK because it has become obselet. (sp)

daazndood - "it seems like you really want to become an engineer."

Sadly i really am not sure if thats what i feel like doing nemore. I think ive gotten to the point were i feel like i cant do it, so y even bother. Why continue to look like a fool.

lagos - so know that we know how u view your friends...lol thanks Art

JonCars17 - what i honestly worry about alot, is spending all the time, money and effort and then COMPLETELY hating the job in the end. (i dont think that happens, but its still a fear of mine.) Do u mind me asking what u do currently?

95CelicaST - "We're all your friends on here Miguel, even though most of us haven't met you, we are all here to help. Your friends will understand you are finishing school, and a real friend will respect that. They aren't going to go anywhere. If they are real friends they will be waiting for you at the end. They will be the ones cheering you on at your graduation."

I posted this thread because some of u know me better then others, some have met me, others havnt, it gives more of an unbias/broader range of opinons. it allows me to see different ways of approtching the problem, or possible ways to remedy the situation.

x_itchy_b_x - Fight the system john....fight the system.

Again, thanks everyone for your ideas and insight. I believe that after failing 2 times, that I just cant do it. Wheither its from poor time managment or not. I just feel as if why should i bother wasting my time anymore, ive wasted enough already.

Keep them coming. Thanks

edit: in response to what sinyk and cupable said.

Cupable04: I thought the same thing, i love telling people what i do now. All my friends work retail, and they hate it. When i tell them im a "draftsperson" and that i work with 3d models and autocad all day, they either say i must be smart, or that i have a pretty good job. Then i mention how i get weekends off, and thats the icing on the cake. But i dont wanna do this forever. A draftsperson is a draftsperson. Yeah u can become a senior draftsperson, but theres not much mobility from there, hense y i believe id like to become an engineer. Thanks Stevenson.

sinyk: I really do doubt myself, regularly. 9 times out of 10, i can talk myself out of something, before i even give it a try. Im more afraid of messing something up and being set back, then possibly trying it, succeeding, and being ahead. You can say its confidence issues, or immaturity, i really dont care, but i am personally begining to become very afraid of what my future holds.

This post has been edited by devilsden97: Jun 6, 2007 - 11:28 AM

[JonCars17]

I work a basic blue collar job (pallet job) that my dad self owns. It sux because I have to work with him. It has nothing to do with my education which is why I didn't really mention it. I too have that fear of not liking my job after all of the trouble because you never know what it is gonna end up being like, but if you worry too much about it then you will only cause more harm than anything else. I know my job in the end maybe be boring, hard, or a pain in the butt, but I've delt with it for 6+ years now so I think I can handle it when I get my degree and get a higher paying job. If the math is getting to you then look for alternatives that doesn't involve as much math. A friend of mine did this because he couldn't handle the math required for Computer Enginerring and he is majoring in something else that still involves computers that seems just as interesting.

I hate summer break because I miss going to class and meeting new people and all the stuff that comes with it. I was out of school for 6 years before entering into college. I have only been in college for a year now.

[Sinyk]

From what I have heard, the average person changes their career 5 times in their life, so not knowing exactly what you want to do is normal. Heck, I have my degree in computers and when I got out of high school I was going to go to film school. Instead I took 2 1/2 years off to work, make some money at a retail sales job and try to sort things out and figure out what I would want to do to make me happy.

About the doubt? It's normal. This may sound corny, but the ol' saying is: "It's better to shoot for the stars and miss, than to aim for the gutter and make it"

This post has been edited by Sinyk: Jun 6, 2007 - 2:21 PM

[daazndood]

daazndood - "it seems like you really want to become an engineer."

Sadly i really am not sure if thats what i feel like doing nemore. I think ive gotten to the point were i feel like i cant do it, so y even bother. Why continue to look like a fool.

do you believe you can do it? you havent "tried" to actually do well in school. im sure if you change the way you are taking on school right now, you'll have some positive results.

tuition costs alot of money. i go to a private school and its 26k a year. according to my teacher, for a normal class that was 3 days a week, each day of class was 70 bucks!

try an experiment. for like a month or two, devote most of your time to school and studying and going over homework and reviewing and stuff like that. that time span should cover a test or two. see if you improve any.

[Bigwaaagh]

Well I can say it's normal to have doubts about what to do when it comes to work or education. A lot of people I know have changed education and work several times before they got where they really wanted to be, an education or job they enjoy for the work and people nor primarily the payroll.

I'm personally a "bad" example. I've never had trouble learning, and rarely had to make a real effort like most of my classmates to pass classes. I figured out what kind of education I wanted to do when I was in the last year of high school. I started that education right after high school, and last year got my bachelors degree in information communication technology. Right after that I started working part-time at the company where I had done my graduation project, which was my first job ever at an age of 22. I also started a company with someone who graduated at the same time as I did. Both jobs are webdesign/multimedia related, which I really like doing, I'm even underpaid at my part-time job, but I take that for granted because I know the pay will get better, I can get around and I'm happy with my everyday life.

All though I could have gone for a masters degree, I decided I had enough of school, and I found out my profession does rely more on work experience than the highest degree possible. Education to some point is important, even more important than a social life during some busy times like exams. It will give you insight in project management, basics to handle problems you'll encouter in work life, and the degree you get is always an indication for employers to see what you're capable of.

But most important is that you are happy with what you are doing, if you are really unhappy about school or work it is always smart to at least check out some different paths you can take, but it will always be difficult to make such a decision. I hope you'll soon find your passion, be it in your current situation or another.

[orvillescelica]

orvillescelica - discourage. So here is a question for u, Was it worth it? did the end satisfy the means for u?

It all depends on what day you talk to me. I sort of went through the same thign my junior year of college, questioning if i made the right choice. Thankfully i earned an internship at the Air Force Research Lab that summer and that really drove me to excel my senior year and apply to grad school.

Engineering is a thankless job. Being an engineer, you are a builder of society. It is not the politicians, lawyers or businessmen that move society forward, but our ability to create and invent that moves society from one age to another. Despite this, engineers will never make the amount of money nor gain the recognition that other proffessions do. You will work hard and do great things, but no one will care and you will not be paid an equal amount for your effort. My motto is, if i am doing my job right, most people wont know that im doing anything at all.

So is it worth it? Absoluetly! with engineering you have to step back out of the grind every now and then and look at what youa re doing. Currently im helping design these engines where the next time they fire, they will be helping land a rover the size of a mini cooper on Mars. It will test soil samples where there might have been water. And if they find any remains of a single cell organism, we can show that life is a spontaneous process wherever there is water. Thats world changing stuff!! As an engineer, everything you do could literaly change the world. Knowing that and seeing that makes it worth it. And so now the question is, If you knew for a FACT that you could help change the world in your own way, how hard would you try to make that happen?

[Mangozac]

Engineering is a thankless job. Being an engineer, you are a builder of society. It is not the politicians, lawyers or businessmen that move society forward, but our ability to create and invent that moves society from one age to another. Despite this, engineers will never make the amount of money nor gain the recognition that other proffessions do. You will work hard and do great things, but no one will care and you will not be paid an equal amount for your effort. My motto is, if i am doing my job right, most people wont know that im doing anything at all.

No offence but that paragraph sounds like something pulled directly from our "Engineering Practice and Sustainability" lectures
Actually, that reminds me, I should be studying for the exam for that subject, not sitting on 6GC

To give some constructive input though:
I'm studying electronic engineering, but I'm really lucky in that I've had a passion for electronics since I was little. I had a job working alongside an engineer before I had any qualifications at all and now I am part owner of a small electronic engineering business, where I am practically the main engineer. I just last year decided to go to university and learn more about what I love to do.
The big thing I've noticed though is how much easier it is to learn stuff when you have a goal and can see the use for it.

After school I never planned to get into engineering. It just kind of happened. And when I first got my job I got into trouble a lot for not putting in the time required. What I found though was once I became working as a professional in professional situations, I really enjoyed it. I would happily work really long hours because I was that involved with what I was doing.

The point I'm trying to make is that being able to prioritise your work is probably a necessity of being an engineer (or any other professional for that matter), but once you have the knowledge and ability you will probably get used to it and working long hours.

PS I struggle with calculus too and I have an exam for that on Tuesday!

[jgreening]

My advice is don't drop out of engineering without a plan that you know is better for you. After some detailed inquiry and quiet reflection, you may decide that there is something better for you. If so, make a move because you WANT to do that - not because you don't want to be an engineer. The hallowed halls of universities are littered with souls that quit or changed to an "easier" major with no good alternative in mind. Most of those folks regret it later on.

I would recommend completing some testing instruments to determine your aptitude and interests. There are dozens available. Your university should be able to point you in the right direction. Then, I would recommend going the extra step to find out exactly what it is that people in that field do. With that information, you will be much better able to make an informed decision. Good luck. - J.

[pure_dx]

miguel, i remember when i graduated from highschool, and all i did was work and play online games, it grew old quick! and I said to myself, i need to get going and do something, get my life straighten out. It's "that" feeling that says, "I need to go do something". That's the feeling that told me to go to school, go for something you love doing man! If it's cars, go to school to work for Toyota Headquarters or something, toyota concept designs, **** like that.

[devilsden97]

Time for this thread to rear its ugly head again:

ok so its 1am, on a friday night, my buddy moved away to Albany, so im gonna spill my guts about school, and my future and work here again.


So the other day at my job, i was given the task to create a mixer (like a LARGE blender) for the resevoir to one of our machines. The actual shaft and "fins" or "paddles" needed to move the hot wax to the top of the resevoir and scrap the colder stuff on the sides and at the top, and push it to the bottom.

If ur like me...this is an AWSOME question, and i was VERY excited to get the chance to, I guess prove myself? in more of a designed based aspect, opposed to detailing out models, and modifying preexisting ones.

So the idea is the flow going to the top needed to be the same as the flow heading to the bottom....so its a CALCULUS problem that has to do with OPTIMIZATION.

F*CK SH*T B*LLS M*THER F*CKING UGH!

I sat there at my computer.....AWSTRUCK that I couldn't make it (to perform at its optimal level). For the first time at my job, I felt....stupid....like i actually couldnt do something.

So tonight, I was talkign with a friend I havnt seen in about 6 months. Talking abotu how our last sememsters when, Sadly to say I was embarressed to tlak about mine, and how i failed calculus. She said, "wow, u took calc? thats even more then i would have attempted." but I still felt like a loser.

I started to look around at job openings, and other areas of study to see what interests me, and I keep coming back to Engineer, and Architect. (in some form)

I keep questioning how much longer i can keep trying, not succeeding, and not give up. I think my biggest fear is just failing at "life." (when i say that, i mean, having a job that i like, and a job that can put food on the table, and a house over my head/familys head, and give me the lifestyle i want to life)


So, for the record, as of RIGHT now.

Im staying enrolled in Engineering, I am going to take calculus again, and again....and again, if I have to. Nothing else interests me enough, and satisfys what I want to achieve in my life.

i hope i dont have to do calc more then 1 more time....

Long read...I suck....sorry

[jason]

good to hear your stickin with it!

[Consynx]

i think most schools that have lots of engineering students make calc i and ii hard. Luckily, i got the ez calc I and II .
doing anything with heat flows i'd attempt to use a FEA program.

other than that...i skimmed...and Yea M.E.!

[Hanyo]

Hey devilsden97,

Dont feel stupid because you cant pass math. Trust me, I have failed my share of calculus classes. The topic is pure boring, going to class is a joke, taking notes are a waste of time, and talking to the teacher only gives you false sense of hope. You can not be taught calculus but you can learn it (does that make sense?). The only way to learn math is to simply do the mother ****ening homework 9million times. The only way to learn math is to simply do the mother ****ening homework 9million times. Yes i repeat myself, but that was the only way to pass the stupid class. You have to be able to recogize the math problem and malipulate it. I know it sounds dumb and everyone says the same thing. The only example I can think about is cars. Most people will hear noise coming from the engine and they would have no clue what to do. Where as for me, I've been dealing with car all my life, I know certian tools to use to isolate the problem. This is the same as calculus, you have to get use to problems and the way they look. I hate those teachers that throw ugly looking problems on the exams, the only way to solve that problem was to use one simple trick. Those who were able to pull it off got the question right, those who didnt failed that problem completely. This is why its so important to get use to doing the math so you can use U substitution and all that nasty stupid tools the class requires you to learn.

At times, school will be boring and dificult, but once you have found your talent. You will be able to pass the class with ease. Have you attempted to take calculus at a local Junior college and have the credits transfer over to your main college? generally summer classes at Junior colleges are easier and you can ride the curve ( collective failure ftw!).

You have to be realistic about yourself, plan out your classes accordingly so you finish in a reasonable amount of time and still have the funds for it. If it doesnt work out on paper, you might want to reconsider your major. Alot of upper division classes require calculus, and you can only push these classes so far back before you can not finish in time.

Good luck.

[malpaso]

Hope I have not missed your point Migga (this is too much English for me at once ) but I believe I had similar problem few years ago... During 1st and once again during 3rd grade on college. I had huge problems with exams. I asked many time if it's worth that effort... I hated that... And that should be a problem for study at faculty of medicine. It was really hard decision. Finally I stayed and 5year common study time took me 7 years... Yea those 1st and 3rd year-classes took 2x more time than usual. So I have finished successfully everything but I have not worked even one single day in health service after graduation. I have been working as system administrator, support service coordinator and junior manager in one IT company now. Job is fine and better payed (note: In my country one of the worst payed jobs are for health service so it's not surprise I have better salary than doctor). However I believe I still have chance to return. It's just about choice... so... IMHO:

- if you can, do not make any "non-reversible decisions"
- no one said you must do same job as graduated
- college makes you think "different" (doesn't matter which one)... sorry I don't know how describe that better. So it counts having graduation.
- everything may look different after few months or years... so better be sure any decision you make is not emotional one

end of story