How I went from FAILING to TOP Mechanical Engineering Student | Best Study Tips

Summary

In this video, a mechanical engineering student shares their journey from struggling with academics to becoming a top student. After nearly losing their scholarship and feeling overwhelmed, they restructured their approach. Key strategies included prioritizing tasks based on the impact on grades, using a calendar, asking questions, and experimenting with study methods. They emphasize the importance of mindset, building relationships with professors, staying physically active, and balancing academic performance with personal well-being. The student encourages viewers to focus on self-improvement and finding their own path to success.

Takeaways

• 😓 Feeling overwhelmed and struggling in classes is common, especially during the first year of a tough major like mechanical engineering.
• 🎯 Managing workload effectively is crucial; each class varies in difficulty and grading, so focusing on the most impactful assignments and exams is key.
• 📅 Using a prioritized to-do list and calendar helps stay organized and ensures you're always prepared for deadlines, big projects, and exams.
• ❓ Asking questions is essential for better understanding; don’t be afraid to approach professors or TAs with your doubts.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Study strategies should be personalized: experiment with solo study, group study, different environments, and times to find what works best for you.
• 🏃‍♂️ Physical activity like exercising before studying can enhance concentration and improve the quality of study sessions.
• 👩‍🏫 Building relationships with professors is valuable both for academic success and future career opportunities.
• 💪 Mindset is everything: staying positive and focusing on what you can control, rather than stressing over bad professors or hard classes, leads to success.
• ⏳ Exam strategies like starting with high-point questions, showing your work, and managing time well can significantly improve grades.
• 🧠 University is not just about academics; balancing health, relationships, extracurriculars, and mental well-being is vital for long-term success.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial struggle in their first year of mechanical engineering?

The speaker struggled to keep up with classes, feeling overwhelmed and falling behind in understanding the concepts. They almost failed exams and feared losing their scholarship.

How did the speaker change their approach to improve academically?

The speaker focused on managing their workload effectively, creating a prioritized to-do list and calendar, asking more questions, and experimenting with different study techniques and environments.

Why is it important to analyze the grade structure of each class, according to the speaker?

Analyzing the grade structure helps students prioritize assignments and exams that have the most impact on their final grade. For example, focusing more on a final exam worth 50% of the grade while balancing smaller tasks.

What study techniques did the speaker find most effective?

The speaker found that solo study sessions in the mornings followed by group discussions worked best. They also discovered that exercising before studying improved concentration significantly.

How did the speaker emphasize the importance of asking questions?

The speaker stressed the importance of asking questions whenever there is confusion, either during lectures or office hours, and not waiting until it's too late. They also recommended documenting questions during study sessions.

What mindset did the speaker adopt to overcome challenges in difficult classes?

The speaker adopted a positive mindset, focusing on what they could control, such as study habits and attitude, instead of venting or giving up when faced with challenges like bad professors or tough classes.

How does the speaker suggest students approach exams?

The speaker suggests reading all exam questions first to gauge their difficulty and prioritizing the ones worth the most points. They also recommend showing work even if the answer isn't known and managing time well during exams.

What role did building relationships with professors play in the speaker’s success?

Building relationships with professors helped the speaker gain deeper insights into the material, motivated them to succeed, and provided valuable tips for internships and career growth.

Why does the speaker believe that university success is more than just academic performance?

The speaker believes that while academic performance is important, balancing it with extracurricular activities, building relationships, networking, and maintaining physical and mental health is essential for long-term success.

What was the main platform mentioned by the speaker, and how did it help them?

The speaker mentioned Brilliant, a platform that provided interactive lessons in various subjects like math and physics, helping them develop problem-solving skills and reinforcing learning through active engagement.