Becoming a World Class Engineering Student in College (Essay Sample)

Becoming a World Class Engineering Student
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Becoming a World Class Engineering Student
Introduction
Engineering is a field that is dominated by a number of possibilities, stretching from the medical field where biochemical engineering is found to general constructions, for instance, civil engineering where road construction usually takes prevalence. Petroleum exploration and mining is made possible through the application of engineering skills acquired in engineering studies in the college. The manufacture and assembling of automobiles is made possible through the application of mechanical engineering skills one becomes acquainted with while in school. All these instances escalate my agitation to become an engineer, the field I have always desired to belong over my entire life.
Since my childhood, I have always desired to be a mechanical engineer. I grew up in a family where at least every adult member of the family drove his own car. I learnt much about car engine system since my childhood. On many occasions, the family cars did break down. The breaking down of the family cars provided me with an opportunity to study the various parts of the car engine system. My father did encourage me to become an engineer one day so as to help the family repair the broken vehicles. I feel that that acted as an insight towards my dream of becoming an engineer. I used to make perfect models of cars in my lower classes in school. My teacher used to be impressed with the models I made. He too encouraged me to study hard to become an engineer. Upon completion of my high school studies, my father secured me a chance in a neighboring garage where I did observe mechanics assemble motor vehicles. I loved the kind of work they did.
Essentially, I perceive engineering as a tool that I can use to aid the society I live in. Designing machines other than the motor cars will be of help, I feel. Getting down inventing machines that will reduce human effort in performing various human tasks is what I desire. I feel that once I become an established engineer, I will be able to help people by steering inventions of all kinds to ensure better and improved human lives. However, getting a degree from the engineering school is what can validate my dreams. Getting through the whole engineering course requires hard work and dedication in the course studies I understand that concentrating on my studies alone is quite insufficient. Successful pursuing of an engineering degree requires one to be an all round student capable of handling almost all issues that encompass human life.
Proper preparation is a significant factor that will see one through any particular task. Setting goals, engaging in co curricular activities, avoiding common mistakes, proper networking and forming good study habits are the various mechanisms that I will employ in order to succeed in my career.
Setting Goals
Setting goals is an important tool for all students. It not only applies to engineering students but also all students irrespective of their courses of study. The setting of both long term as well as short term goals is a significant tool that will ensure accomplishment of highlighted activities in good time. Lack of goals will lead a person to no specific direction therefore making a person to make wrong choices as a result. For my case, I have a set goal of completing my engineering degree successfully. The reality is that not all people complete their degrees successfully. Some students drop out of college due to various reasons. Completing my degree successfully is one of the goals that I have set. Getting good grades in the various units is another goal I have set. Getting good grades is likely to make me competitive in the job market. Getting a good job after completion of my studies is another goal I have personally set. However, it is significant to note that goals can be useless if one does not stick to them. So, I have chosen to stick to my goals throughout the years of study in the college of Engineering.
Avoidance of Procrastination
The tendency to postpone assignment and other pieces of work has a negative impact on students generally CITATION Bec00 \l 1033 (Beck, Susan, & Debra, 2000). For instance, in cases where a student is given an assignment a week after opening school but postpones the same until the end of the semester when he starts to do it. For as long as I can recall, I have been a procrastinator, but until now I have been able to avoid it without major consequences. Especially now that I am in college, procrastination has the effect of causing me to not get my desired grades if I allow it take over. There are numerous negative effects of the same, all of which necessitate me to fix the problem of procrastination if I have to succeed in pursuing my degree and career as well.
The biggest problem associated with procrastination is the last minute panic in attempting to answer particular questions which leads to presentation of a shoddy job to the course instructor. Students usually find it hard to tackle the questions in detail due to limited time of research. Therefore, procrastination has the effect of lowering my grades and in so doing affect my future. Another effect of repercussion is that it causes much stress because of the tension brought about by limited time. Stress has the ability to affect my other classes and social life in entirety, in as much as they have no relation to the assignment that I had postponed earlier on. In order to avoid this, I have to do away with procrastination once and for all, not just reducing it. One of the biggest changes I am likely to make is to ensure all the assignments that I am given are tackled with an immediate effect. By so doing, I would have greatly reduced my workload. Finishing assignments in time will grant me ample time to engage in other constructive things ancillary to my studies, for example, exploration of my talents and abilities as well. Completing all my assignments in time will give me ample time to review the assignment done and do a review of the same for correction of possible errors. Presenting perfectly done work is likely to earn me good makes and, therefore, good results. I will keep an updated schedule of activities to be tackled in a timetable-like manner. In doing all these, I would have greatly minimized the possibility of having lost time to study for my examination.
Conducting Effective Learning
Effective learning is another thing that I shall consider in order to be successful. Conducting effective learning means learning information in a way that not only makes it stick in your mind, but also understanding the various concepts taught in a particular subject. All are aware that Engineering is a practical subject. Therefore, it would be needless for one to concentrate on cramming concepts word by word. Most importantly, I know that effective learning commences on the first day of class and goes on throughout the course in line with the course outlines issued by the instructors. I will ensure that I have attended all the practical lectures for a proper grasp of the various concepts taught throughout the course. Reading class notes prior to a certain lecture is equally important. Reading ahead of the lecturer will make learning easy and enjoyable. A student who has a little knowledge on a particular concept will find it easy to understand that concept once an instructor goes through it because this will be depicted as revision by the student. I will also ensure that I have access to all the available communication mechanisms that the course instructors use to communicate to the students. I understand that the instructor is likely to send reading materials through mechanisms like electronic mail and chosen class representatives. Having access to the email is equally pertinent. I will ensure that I participate I class fully. I am aware that engineering classes are usually guided by class discussion of particular concepts. Asking questions also forms part of effective learning. Asking questions makes a person understand a particular concept better. Taking notes in class is an effective way of learning. However, reviewing the written notes after class makes learning even more effective. Doing all the assignment issued in time forms part of effective study methods.
Reading all the issued handouts ensures better grasp of engineering concepts. All issued materials should be read. I also understand the need to be constantly in touch with the course instructor. At times, a student needs to consult their instructor specific guidelines as far as academic reading is concerned. Therefore, in my study in the college, in as much I should set goals and avoid procrastination, it is also important for me to devise practical and effective learning methods. The ultimate impact of good planned learning methods is the acquisition of good grades and a good job as a result.
Proper Management of Time
In my view, time is a non-renewable resource. Time wasted can never be recovered. Time is necessary if one is to make a better engineer. Any serious student will tell you that time is as important as any other necessity of life. College life is filled with a lot of activities to undertake. There are lot assignments to complete and hence a lot deadlines to beat. Equally, there are a lot practical lessons to attend. The course requires that I design a project that is realistic before I graduate. All these need to be put in consideration when deciding on how to use my time. Free time also needs to be scheduled in order to maximize every day. Proper time management is advantageous in many ways. First, proper time management will lead to exemplary performance in class. Secondly, properly scheduled time leads to a freed day. Some activities ancillary to learning must also be provided for in the designing o...