Transcript What I wish I knew in First Year - The McMaster Engineering Society

WHAT I WISH I KNEW IN FIRST YEAR:
TIPS TO HELP YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR
ENGINEERING EDUCATION
AGENDA
 Introduction
 Academic
 Extracurricular
 Conclusions
INTRODUCTION
 Nikola Maric
 5th year of Engineering
Physics & Management
 Welcome Week Organizer, Engineering Physics
Club, Engineering and Management Club
 Mike Kovacs
 5th year, Civil
Engineering & Society
 Store management, Welcome Week Organizer,
MES Executive, ESSCO President
MOST IMPORTANT TAKE-AWAY
 One
size does not fit all
Take notes, look back in a month
 Take chances, try new things

ACADEMICS
USE THE FIRST MONTH OF EACH SEMESTER WISELY
 The
first month is a great opportunity to get
organized, get to know your resources for help,
read ahead, etc.
 You will have a steady work load from October
to exams
 Going to class helps keep it on your radar

Professors often give tips and hints in class
ENGAGE YOURSELF IN YOUR LECTURES AND CLASSES
 Get
more out of your lectures; Easier to stay awake
 Ask questions and make comments
 If you don’t feel comfortable asking in class – Go
talk to your professor and TA’s outside of class
 Each class may have a different “style”
GET TO KNOW THESE PEOPLE...
 Your


Professors and Teaching Assistants
Knowing these people will help you feel more
comfortable when asking for help
These people are helpful in the future
 Senior

Students
They have been through it, and have received similar
support
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO GET BOOKS
 Purchasing


USED books from senior students
Facebook
Mac Eng Society Bookswap

This is happening NOW!!!
Comments:
 Cheaper than buying brand new
 May not be current Edition, but content is likely
similar
 Online


book rentals
Physical
PDF’s/Digital
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO GET BOOKS
 Titles
– The McMaster Campus Book Store
Located in Gilmour Hall B-101, attached to student
center
Comments:
 Expensive

 Library
Many classes have books reserved in the library
 Borrow when needed
Comments:
 There is a chance it may not be available when
you need it

DON’T LET YOUR FIRST FEW MARKS UPSET YOU
 Expectations



Use this as an opportunity to revaluate study habits
Try to find help from professors, study groups, etc
It is still possible to do well if you are proactive
 “Work

are often not met immediately
Hard, Play Hard”
As much pressure as there is to study and work hard,
taking a break helps you relax and exposes you to
other areas
EXTRA
CURRICULAR
THERE’S MORE TO UNIVERSITY THAN GRADES
 Professionalism

Communication and Networking
 Technical
skills
 Social skills
University
Education
Grades
Skills
Social Capital
…Other
Things
DON’T BE AFRAID OF GETTING INVOLVED!
 Getting
involved exposes you to new
opportunities and experiences
 Don’t be afraid to lose elections

Running is enough to make your point
 The
MES is a resource to start new projects
LEARN FROM BAD EXPERIENCES
 You
will meet a lot of different people during
your university life
 Different people means different
opinions/behaviours which may result in
disagreements
 You will not love every experience you have if
you are doing University right
 Reflect on these experiences to improve your
future
ENGINEERS DO MORE THAN ENGINEER
 An
engineering degree provides you with a wide
variety of valuable skills
 Engineers are found in a wide variety of industries:
Politics
 Law
 Health

10 WAYS TO GET INVOLVED IMMEDIATELY
Attend an MES Meeting
 Join a committee (social, academic, sports, etc.)
 Start an intramural team
 Run for a Council Position
 Write for an MES publication (Frequency, Plumbline, etc.)
 Become a Welcome Week leader
 Apply for a TA Position
 Organize a competition team
 Participate in mentorship programs
 Be yourself! (My generic cheesy last item)

CONCLUSIONS
 Make
sure you work hard but also get involved
 Take advantage of your resources – both
academic and extra curricular