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First year at Mechanical Engineering undergraduate and i can say that im not interested at all!
So to explain a bit. I chose this course because i loved math and physics. I was actually pretty good at them, but didn't choose nor a math, nor a physics course because i actually dreamed of working for Nasa, Sony, and such big companies, in the production sector. Although doing experiments is fun, I hated the idea of being closed in lab, or fantasizing about some highly theoretical things. I wanted something practical... I told myself: ''Hey, engineering seems suited for you, you'll have plenty of science, but you'll probably end up doing practical things!'
That was it...
Half a year later the only thought that crosses my mind when I think about mechanical engineering is ''Boring''.
All those technical subjects are driving me insane, I mean im good at them, but i also hate them. And when i look at other subjects that are waiting for me i am speechless.
A lot of people also told me that i am born for politics or philosophy, and that i should pursue a career in human sciences, however i wasn't really interested in it, because all my mind was devoted to science.
Now i simply wish i was younger so i didn't have to choose my major.
Was any of you in a similar situation?
 
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Yout program is boring in first year...? Uh-oh...
Can you tell us why you like math and physics?
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I'm first year mechanical too, don't you have a workshop session?
It's required for the course to be accredited by the institute of mechanical engineers (in the UK at least).
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Croatia9527 Posts
While I understand the feeling of rude awakening that you're describing, I can't say I was in similar situation as you.
I chose my "career" while I was still in high school, which is computer sciences (mainly programming), and I can honestly say I haven't regretted it since. I can remember how pumped I was in high school when I was first introduced to programming, rushing home from classes to try things we've learned that day in classes (like for() loop!). And now, in my 3rd year at university, I'm still very excited about learning (granted, I'm much more lazy now), especially when stuff you learn actually starts making sense to you (trust me, in programming, this takes great deal of patience -.-).
But I see people like you everyday. People who are not very interested in the stuff they're studying, and I can only be thankful that I'm actually enjoying greatly the stuff I'm studying.
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I guess you understand that you prolly won't work for NASA. But any realistic jobs, are they boring as well? What I'm asking is if it's only these few years at the school bench that will be boring, or if you really chose the wrong path and that working with it will be boring as well?
If it's only for a few years, just keep it up and try to see the importance in each subject, when you see the information as important for your future and not completely irrelevant, learning will be easier.
If it's forever, change now.
(edit: Myself? A girl I liked chose my path in chemistry, I had a tough time and I really wanted to spend time with her. She quickly dropped out and started working at McDonalds -____-. But times got less tough and I spent much time with a new girl in class. Friends come and go, but I started to really enjoy chemistry. I now read science papers (and watch GSL) in my spare time.)
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I'm in Civil. I've finished 2.5 years, and I have 2.5 years to go. It's a 4 year program that I'm doing in 5 years. I'm double majoring in Structural/Geotechnical and Managerial strains.
First year courses are terrible. But what they do is teach you the tools you need for later courses.
Later courses are where things start getting interesting. It's pretty awesome how things come together. I've had a couple of courses so far that apply the stuff from first year in some pretty cool ways.
At least, that's been my experience so far.
And ya, some courses are pretty dry. It's not just first year that has that problem.....
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I got bored in my first year too. I made the mistake of not changing my course and being lazy, playing WoW etc. I now work a dead-end job even though I went to a great university. So my advice: if you can, change. Even if it means moving or losing friends, it's worth it.
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To be honest engineering was the worst for me in first year. Useless content and absolutely mindnumbingly boring and at times hard. To be honest though i found that the content got better as the years went by. I mean i still find it boring relative to my commerce degree but its not as bad as the first year, maybe i just learnt to tolerate it? But for me it got better especially if you can pick the topics you want to do.
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I'm very much the same way as you, just maybe 5-6 years ahead in the future. I grew up "liking" the sciences and maths, or at least I thought so, as I got decent marks without trying all that hard. It came easy, and I guess over time I tricked my mind into thinking I enjoyed it. Being tech savvy, I decided to pursue a career in electronics engineering.
I was enthusiastic at first, always pushing myself because I believed this is what I loved. Over time; a couple years or so, I started to realize that this stuff bores me and as much as I love to learn, I just did not have a passion for it. I grew up always being physical and always playing sports that is heavily involved with teamwork. Long story short, I stuck it out and graduated, even getting a job with a engineering company (which I'm posting this blog reply from) and been here for over a year while my mind slowly rots into boredom as a daily 9-5ish routine sets in.
No more... with many outside influences and always having a positive attitude with a wanting to help people, I've come to a realization that I want to pursue law enforcement, and am now in the midst of applying to police forces throughout my province as I've just recently passed the required tests for application. Your lucky your realizing your spot in the world sooner than I did. Would I change a thing? Nah, I'm happy with my education background, even though I'm going into a career that is completely unrelated. You may not realize what you want to truly do yet, but you realize what you don't want to do, and that's definitely the first step.
I hope you find your place. For many of us, society makes us choose an aligned path to a general career much too early. I'm sure even at first semester you've seen many of your friends change programs (and some you'll find change numerous times). I think what you do long-term with your career is the utmost importance with regards to happiness. You'll fall into place though, you just have to have the desire and open mind for change. I hope you blog again, I want to see what you choose to do later on.
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On January 10 2011 23:26 Sufficiency wrote:
Yout program is boring in first year...? Uh-oh...
Can you tell us why you like math and physics?
I like solving problems and i've always been pumped in Modern Physics, it was so fascinating for me...
On January 10 2011 23:29 Nyx wrote:
I'm first year mechanical too, don't you have a workshop session?
It's required for the course to be accredited by the institute of mechanical engineers (in the UK at least).
Nah, i am from croatia, we don't have workshop sessions yet
On January 10 2011 23:33 2Pacalypse- wrote:
While I understand the feeling of rude awakening that you're describing, I can't say I was in similar situation as you.
I chose my "career" while I was still in high school, which is computer sciences (mainly programming), and I can honestly say I haven't regretted it since. I can remember how pumped I was in high school when I was first introduced to programming, rushing home from classes to try things we've learned that day in classes (like for() loop!). And now, in my 3rd year at university, I'm still very excited about learning (granted, I'm much more lazy now), especially when stuff you learn actually starts making sense to you (trust me, in programming, this takes great deal of patience -.-).
But I see people like you everyday. People who are not very interested in the stuff they're studying, and I can only be thankful that I'm actually enjoying greatly the stuff I'm studying.
Well, great for you. I actually can study the subjects and i understand them. It's just that I miss that feeling you described of being pumped up and being completely immersed into the subject
On January 10 2011 23:36 superjoppe wrote:
I guess you understand that you prolly won't work for NASA. But any realistic jobs, are they boring as well? What I'm asking is if it's only these few years at the school bench that will be boring, or if you really chose the wrong path and that working with it will be boring as well?
If it's only for a few years, just keep it up and try to see the importance in each subject, when you see the information as important for your future and not completely irrelevant, learning will be easier.
If it's forever, change now.
(edit: Myself? A girl I liked chose my path in chemistry, I had a tough time and I really wanted to spend time with her. She quickly dropped out and started working at McDonalds -____-. But times got less tough and I spent much time with a new girl in class. Friends come and go, but I started to really enjoy chemistry. I now read science papers (and watch GSL) in my spare time.)
I hope it will get better over time. Well, Mechanical Engineers what do they do, maybe others can explain it better, but they usually work around machines. They design, mantain, and such. Interesting yes, but not really mindblowing. It's also possible that i have a wrong picture of Mechanical Engineers...
On January 10 2011 23:44 sammler wrote:
I got bored in my first year too. I made the mistake of not changing my course and being lazy, playing WoW etc. I now work a dead-end job even though I went to a great university. So my advice: if you can, change. Even if it means moving or losing friends, it's worth it.
Tbh, im not really fond of colleagues. They are nice and all, but not really my type of people, so changing the major won't be hard because of them. It's just that I am worried, if i change and find out that the new major isn't either for me so it results in wasted years
On January 10 2011 23:50 FractalsOnFire wrote:
To be honest engineering was the worst for me in first year. Useless content and absolutely mindnumbingly boring and at times hard. To be honest though i found that the content got better as the years went by. I mean i still find it boring relative to my commerce degree but its not as bad as the first year, maybe i just learnt to tolerate it? But for me it got better especially if you can pick the topics you want to do.
Well guess, once i start studying mechatronics it will be much more interesting
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Calgary25991 Posts
I flipped a coin to decide my major and I'm really glad it came out mechanical instead of electrical. I don't know what to tell you except that my brain is wired for mechanical engineering - when I see a machine I always wonder how the motion occurs, what is physically driving what, etc. If you don't feel this way then maybe you should switch.
That being said, mechanical is a pretty broad spectrum, from mechanics to pipelines to materials. Maybe you haven't found your specialization yet.
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I started off in History, whew talk about wrong decision. It's never too late to switch if once you actually start doing something, you find you dislike it. Just don't run out of money or rack up crazy debt 
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I enrolled in Science and Engineering early (at 15) because I was put ahead at school and I found the first year overwhelming and dry, boring... couldn't see myself getting over the finish line. Even though I could get top marks I only got "credit" marks, nothing special.
I don't think I was really ready to make decisions about my life. Anyway I listened to my parents and kept going until I finished Science, but then dropped out of Engineering, I realised I had no interest and didn't want to be responsible.... being bad at my job was something I didn't want for myself, and I was worried I would let people down or build something faulty and hurt people.
My advice is to enrol in something you find is truly interesting, because although you may be good at a lot of things, you will end up resenting your position and underperforming unless you find something that makes you happy. Take a short break from school, re-assess. There is no rush. I rushed through and ended up with a degree and no job, and lost a lot of time after I was finished trying to get into a career I didn't like. You don't gain anything by rushing through.
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Croatia9527 Posts
On January 11 2011 00:11 Art.FeeL wrote:Show nested quote +On January 10 2011 23:29 Nyx wrote:
I'm first year mechanical too, don't you have a workshop session?
It's required for the course to be accredited by the institute of mechanical engineers (in the UK at least). Nah, i am from croatia, we don't have workshop sessions yet
Oh, you're from Croatia! How weird is to meet a fellow Croatian on Teamliquid without knowing him before.
At what university do you go to?
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On January 11 2011 00:41 2Pacalypse- wrote:Show nested quote +On January 11 2011 00:11 Art.FeeL wrote:On January 10 2011 23:29 Nyx wrote:
I'm first year mechanical too, don't you have a workshop session?
It's required for the course to be accredited by the institute of mechanical engineers (in the UK at least). Nah, i am from croatia, we don't have workshop sessions yet Oh, you're from Croatia! How weird is to meet a fellow Croatian on Teamliquid without knowing him before. At what university do you go to?
Heh :D...FSB Zagreb
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Još jedan Hrvat ovdje, ja bio na FERu i odustao iz istih razloga ko ti.
english:
also Croatian, dropped out of similar university for same reasons.
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Stick with your engineering major and be happy knowing you'll make more money than most anyone else ever will right out of college.
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Croatia9527 Posts
Nice. I'm on FESB in Split still studying after 5 years ^^
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On January 10 2011 23:20 Art.FeeL wrote:
First year at Mechanical Engineering undergraduate and i can say that im not interested at all!
So to explain a bit. I chose this course because i loved math and physics. I was actually pretty good at them, but didn't choose nor a math, nor a physics course because i actually dreamed of working for Nasa, Sony, and such big companies, in the production sector. Although doing experiments is fun, I hated the idea of being closed in lab, or fantasizing about some highly theoretical things. I wanted something practical... I told myself: ''Hey, engineering seems suited for you, you'll have plenty of science, but you'll probably end up doing practical things!'
That was it...
Half a year later the only thought that crosses my mind when I think about mechanical engineering is ''Boring''.
All those technical subjects are driving me insane, I mean im good at them, but i also hate them. And when i look at other subjects that are waiting for me i am speechless.
A lot of people also told me that i am born for politics or philosophy, and that i should pursue a career in human sciences, however i wasn't really interested in it, because all my mind was devoted to science.
Now i simply wish i was younger so i didn't have to choose my major.
Was any of you in a similar situation?
I am in a similar situation 
Highschool atm, and love science. I want to study Astronomy and get a masters degree, because i love space, physics and all the mysteries of our universe. However i do have doubts because i also love Politics and philosophy. Teachers tell me i have a great knowledge and insight on things and they want me to take advanced History, Geography and Philosophy.
Now the problem is i can't go both Scientific classes and ''Human science'' classes. I can however, pick one of the three Human science classes and am leaning towards philosophy or history. I however am not sure because this would only burden me more later on with the exams, and means its gonna be a lot harder to get my required average for the university i want to attend.
( 8 is the minimal average)
I love Science, and plan on studying nothing else then Astronomy, but i really would like to get the extra knowledge and experience from either philosophy or history. This will give me more hours ( From 2 hours to 4 hours, and from no exam to exam) and will make things a lot harder for me...
Do you guys think i should do it? I would like to hear advice from some liquidians who might have been trough a similar experience and know a lot more about it...
PS. (Sorry OP, don't want to hijack your thread, i just didn't feel that i should make a new one.)
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Stick with your engineering major for now, but take LOTS OF MATH (more than is required of your major) and lots of physics (again more than is required).
If you are a technical person, this will keep your options open to easily switch between nearly any other technical major in your college if you so desire.
I was similar in college. I started as a physics major but I hated the emphasis on lab work. I eventually switched to pure math as I found it far more suitable to my personality/mindset.
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Hyrule19188 Posts
First year is typically the crappiest. Just power through it.
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Computer Science!
I was told to do engineering as well based on my skillset, but after talking to a few professors and examining the courses I decided that I would probably be bored. I ended up getting a double major in math and computer science and have a good job in computers. If you enjoy problem solving then i reccomend it. I would also consider probability and statistics (sounds boring, but it's actually cool once you get past to low level stuff) or simply even an applied math program. Operations research and numerical methods are cool if you don't enjoy all of the theoretical stuff (it has enough theoretical without being overboard).
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I do have a friend who switched from programming to mechanical engineering (the opposite of me), but for him he really enjoyed working with his hands on hands on projects. He was the guy who was obsessed with duck tape and tried to fix anything that was broken. I on the other hand was the guy who tried coming up with theories and understand what something meant. I probably could have done physics, but I got bored with that too. (There's too much of a focus on numerics and so i had more math homework in physics than i did in math classes).
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I did humanities and I make a lot less money than people I know who did engineering- something to think about perhaps.
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Until you find something that you actually like better, you're better off sticking with the major where you actually have the potential to make a fair amount of money than to switch to something that you think you might like but could hate, and then you end up with a degree that doesn't help you find a job
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I know this situation all too well...
I was awesome at Chemistry in high school and loved problem solving, so I figured chemical engineering was a good fit.
A little about my personality - I'm a people person and grew into several leadership roles in college. My passion is for mentoring, taking on challenges, and working for the betterment of everybody. This is not what makes a typical chemical engineer!
A B.S. in chemical engineering, as I found after 3 semesters, was working in a factory churning out as much product of acceptable quality as possible. Almost everyone I could find or see in industry used the degree to vault themselves into plant management. I don't want to be a problem solver for money OR a manager, I want to be a scientist!
I considered switching majors for a while. Then I took my first environmental engineering course. Finally, an area that didn't totally focus on plant design economics! I shifted this to my major's elective and sought opportunities in the area. My fourth year I went to a chemical engineering conference and grew interested in the prospect of grad school. A year later I returned and made the full committment to apply.
So now I'm one semester down in grad school and, after starting research, I can confirm that it's a lot closer to what I'm looking for. Overall, I want to do environmental research and teach. Plans do change, but this one feels more right than any other!
The moral of the story is that engineering professions are extremely diverse. Talk with advisors to make sure your goals are consistent with what the degree will get you.
By the way, what you're feeling is normal. If you can get an internship for the summer I'd highly recommend it - it will tell you more about what you'd expect on the job than any class (which are supposed to be hard and, let's face, not very pleasant).
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EPT
