How to Study Engineering

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 References

Being an engineering student is challenging, but the payoff is worth it. With your engineering degree, you can find a fulfilling career in a field that excites you. While in school, it’s important to hone your skills in math and physics; these fields are necessary no matter what type of engineer you want to be. You should also pick an engineering specialty and choose a course schedule that aligns with your goals. Since engineering programs are rigorous, it’s important to attend each class and also devote plenty of time to studying outside the classroom. Once you work on your study skills, you’ll be able to ace your tests and projects. Finally, take the time to develop your professional network. That can help you get the job that you want.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Honing Your Skills and Choosing a Course of Study

1
Focus on excelling in math and physics courses. Nearly all engineering programs will require several semesters of math courses. Work with your advisor to set up a 4-year plan to complete all of your requirements. You can expect to take several courses in calculus and engineering-focused math. You will also need several semesters of physics.^{[1]
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- Math and physics both rely heavily on learning and using formulas. Work to memorize the most commonly used ones, and understand how to apply them.
- If you are struggling with the concepts, ask your professor for help. You can also visit the tutoring center at your school.
- If you hate math, engineering is probably not the right career for you.
2
Develop problem-solving skills to enhance critical thinking abilities. A career in engineering will be based on solving problems, whether that means figuring out how to design a safer bridge or figuring out safety procedures for dealing with chemicals. The sooner you begin thinking like a problem-solver, the more successful you’ll be. Learn to figure out answers for yourself and avoid relying on others to tell you what to do.^{[2]
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- For example, maybe you’re stumped by your calculus homework. Spend some time working it out for yourself. You could try using a different way of applying an equation, perhaps.
- This doesn’t mean that it’s not okay to ask for help. It is! But stretch yourself by trying to find the answer yourself first.
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3
Choose the field of engineering that interests you. There are several different types of engineers. Spend some time thinking about what kind of job you want and then choose your specialty based on that. You can ask your academic advisor to go over the different options with you. Some of the most common fields include:^{[3]
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- Civil engineering. This career involves planning and completing infrastructure projects, such as highways and bridges.
- Electrical engineering. The focus in this field is inventing and improving the electrical functions of machines like cell phones and cameras.
- Mechanical engineering. These engineers invent, make, and improve items like seat belts, refrigerators, and elevators.
- Chemical engineering. People in this field work on safely using chemicals and finding new ways to use them.
- Software engineering. Software engineers apply math and the principles of computer science to improve and create things like games and computer operating systems.
4
Take a variety of engineering classes for supplemental knowledge. Obviously, you’ll spend a lot of time taking classes in your concentration. But make sure to save some time in your schedule to take other engineering classes, too. In engineering, it’s not just the subject matter that is important. It’s also useful to learn how other engineers approach problems.^{[4]
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- For example, if you are studying mechanical engineering, it might be helpful to include some classes in civil engineering. These fields overlap sometimes regarding the components of buildings.
5
Take courses outside of engineering to broaden your skill set. Like most careers, engineering requires a wide variety of skills. Seek out classes that will enhance your work as an engineer.^{[5]
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- Try taking a visual design class to learn how to better display your ideas visually. A writing class can help you convey your thoughts and ideas in a compelling manner.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Getting the Most Out of Each Class

1
Attend every class and sit near the front. Engineering courses are challenging and often cover a lot of material in each class session. In order to succeed, it’s important to be present in class (both physically and mentally). Show up on time and be ready to pay attention and concentrate.^{[6]
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- Sit where you can see the materials presented and where you can easily hear the professor.
- Ask questions during class if you don’t understand the concepts.
- If you have to miss class, borrow the notes from a classmate.
- Get a good night’s sleep before the lecture. Being well-rested makes it easier to concentrate.
2
Do the reading before class to feel prepared. Read the entire chapter or section before the relevant lecture. This will help you understand what the professor is talking about. It’s also a good way to identify potential questions that you would like to ask during class.^{[7]
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- Make sure to take notes as you read. You can jot down helpful examples and make note of anything you don’t understand.
3
Take good notes so that they are useful to you later. Write down any formulas that your instructor indicates are important to know. But take care to write down more than just the math. Your notes should also include information about how to apply the math and the logic behind it.^{[8]
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- Don’t worry about trying to scribble down every single word the professor says. Instead, focus on concepts they emphasize, repeat, or spend a lot of time talking about.
- Ask your instructor if they post PowerPoints online. If they do, you can annotate them with your own notes.
4
Keep a separate notebook of important information for easy access. There are some key concepts and formulas that you will use in multiple classes. Copy these in your regular notes, but also write them down in a separate notebook. That way, you can easily find all of your most important information.^{[9]
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5
Develop a relationship with your professor so they can help you. Many students feel intimidated by their professors. But try not to be! They are actually there to help you. Take time at the beginning of the semester to introduce yourself to the professor. That way, they will know who you are if email them with a question.^{[10]
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- Take advantage of office hours. Professors set this time aside to meet with students, so make it a point to stop by and get help when you need it.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Doing Well on Tests and Projects

1
Form a study group at the beginning of the semester. Ask some other students in your program or in your classes if they want to join your study group. Study groups are beneficial for all students, but they’re especially helpful for engineering students. Some of the benefits of working in groups include:^{[11]
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- Learning new ways to approach the material
- Exposure to creative problem solving
- Experience working with a team, which most engineers do
- Having a more enjoyable time studying
2
Teach the material to someone else to master it. This is considered one of the best ways to retain information. Being able to teach something means that you really understand the material. Practice teaching someone else how to use a formula, for example. Go over the material until your “student” has a good understanding. By that point, you’ll likely be very confident with your own understanding.^{[12]
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- This is a great activity to try in your study group.
3
Copy your notes to review the material. Writing things down helps you retain the information. Every 2-3 weeks, copy the notes that you have taken while reading and attending lectures. Each copy should be a little shorter. As you become more familiar with the material, you won’t feel like you have to write down every single detail.^{[13]
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- Each time you copy your notes, write a 1-2 page summary of the information. You can use that to review for tests.
4
Give yourself plenty of time to study for tests and prepare projects. Don’t try to cram the night before an exam. You’ll end up feeling stressed and exhausted. Instead, make it a habit to review the material each week. You can then add some extra hours to study each day during the week prior to the exam.^{[14]
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- Similarly, don’t wait until the night before a project is due to start working on it. As soon as your professor gives you an assignment, figure out how you are going to approach the topic.
- Add material to your presentation over time, and refine it as necessary. All you’ll have to do the week before it’s due is to give it a polish!
5
Read each test question carefully and check your work. When you’re taking a test, make sure to take time to look at the entire question. This can prevent simple mistakes. Neatly show your work for each problem. Not only will you get partial credit, but your instructor will be able to give you better feedback if they can see where you went wrong.^{[15]
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- Start with the easy questions first. That can help you feel more confident about the rest of the exam.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Building Your Network

1
Seek out internships to gain experience. Start looking for summer internships early in your academic career. Internships indicate that you are motivated and a hard worker, traits that will make you attractive to potential employers. Internships can also help you figure out what kind of career you would like to have.^{[16]
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- Talk to the career center at your school, or your advisor or program director for advice on finding an internship.
2
Develop a group of mentors that can advise you. Corporations have boards of directors that provide advice and direction. You’re not a corporation, but you can also gather a group of people that can do the same for you. Forge relationships with your professors and mentors and ask them for advice.^{[17]
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- You can also learn a lot by talking to more advanced students.
- If you have a family friend that works in engineering, ask if you can pick their brain.
3
Attend extracurricular events to stay current in the field and meet people. Engineering is a field that changes regularly. It’s important to stay up to date on trends and new developments. Make it a point to attend any lectures that relate to your field that are sponsored by your college or community. You can also meet new contacts to add to your network at such events.^{[18]
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- You can also join a networking group on campus. That will allow you to meet other engineering students and alumni in your field of study.

Expert Q&A
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Question

What is needed to study engineering?

Harish Chandran, PhD
Machine Learning Engineer & PhD in Computer Science, Duke University
Harish Chandran is the Engineering Site Lead and Senior Staff Research Engineer at DeepMind, where he leads the engineering efforts to integrate AI research results into Google products. Harish received his PhD in Computer Science from Duke University in 2012. While in graduate school, he worked as a Teaching Assistant, helping undergraduate students learn about algorithms and data structures. He has experience in DNA self-assembly, evolutionary algorithms, computational neuroscience, complexity theory, computer architecture, and super-computing.

Harish Chandran, PhD

Machine Learning Engineer & PhD in Computer Science, Duke University

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

It helps to have a good grasp of the math and science required for your particular field. Things like linear algebra, algorithmic techniques, and programming are really going to help as well. Beyond that, you have to have a love of problem solving.
Question

What about software engineering and programing? Will that help with a career in other engineering fields?

Harish Chandran, PhD
Machine Learning Engineer & PhD in Computer Science, Duke University
Harish Chandran is the Engineering Site Lead and Senior Staff Research Engineer at DeepMind, where he leads the engineering efforts to integrate AI research results into Google products. Harish received his PhD in Computer Science from Duke University in 2012. While in graduate school, he worked as a Teaching Assistant, helping undergraduate students learn about algorithms and data structures. He has experience in DNA self-assembly, evolutionary algorithms, computational neuroscience, complexity theory, computer architecture, and super-computing.

Harish Chandran, PhD

Machine Learning Engineer & PhD in Computer Science, Duke University

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Programming, data analysis, and software engineering are vital ingredients in fields like machine learning, so absolutely. Those are phenomenal tools if you're looking at branching out into a new field in engineering.
Question

What does it take to land an engineering position if I'm doing machine learning?

Harish Chandran, PhD
Machine Learning Engineer & PhD in Computer Science, Duke University
Harish Chandran is the Engineering Site Lead and Senior Staff Research Engineer at DeepMind, where he leads the engineering efforts to integrate AI research results into Google products. Harish received his PhD in Computer Science from Duke University in 2012. While in graduate school, he worked as a Teaching Assistant, helping undergraduate students learn about algorithms and data structures. He has experience in DNA self-assembly, evolutionary algorithms, computational neuroscience, complexity theory, computer architecture, and super-computing.

Harish Chandran, PhD

Machine Learning Engineer & PhD in Computer Science, Duke University

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You need a basic understanding of algorithmic techniques, like searching, sorting, graph structures, dynamic programming, and all of the other 10 big blocks of software engineering. Once you have a good solid grasp of that, you need to be able to answer whiteboard questions to prove that you have the chops for problem solving. For interviews, you'll have to solve engineering puzzles and possibly craft an algorithm.