General

@xronellx I took linear algebra & differential equations at the same as statics and the major thing I needed was solving matrices which I learned early on in linear algebra anyways. Depending on your schedule, I don't think it makes much of a difference if you take linear algebra & differential before statics.

I'm not a STEM Major so I'm not really sure if these tips will help- but a few of my friends are in that field.

1. Defintely make friends in the class: If you're unsure of something, you'll be able to consult with others in the class. Two heads is better than 1 regardless.

2. If you can, for next semester I would not take three STEM courses. At the most I would take two STEM courses and select an easier course for the third. Take a gen ed course. This way, your courseload isn't that high and less stress.

3. Do you really want to do a STEM major? If this isn't something you want to do, the information is going to take longer to stick/understand. This is a personal view of it.

@xronellx: If you don't understand a problem, don't waste time thinking on it for hours on end, just check the solution, resolve it yourself and move on to the next question. The majority of those 5-6 hours should be spent doing as many problems as you can, rather than pondering on your homework. When doing math, spend less time thinking idly and spend more time writing.

I read previously from your comments that you don't have enough questions to practice on. Is there a textbook that your math/physics teacher uses? If so, I recommend you try to do as many "challenge" question in the book.

Lastly, 1~2 hours before a test is not enough to get you an A. You should start reviewing 2 weeks prior, making sure you give yourself at least 1~2 full days a chapter to review.

I honestly believe you can succeed in your STEM courses. From what I read, you just have misinformed study habits that can easily be fixed.

@xronellx:
I may have missed something because I just briefly glanced over this thread but from what you described, homework only takes you on average 1 hr a day, everyday of the week to complete. If you're taking 15 units, that also averages to 1 hr of class a day. I don't understand why you don't have enough time. Assuming you need 8 hrs of sleep a day, there's about 14 hrs for you to make use of.

Also, make sure you know how to study. That could be one of the most important things you learn freshman year. University is a completely different learning environment and you need to adapt accordingly. Your future classes are definitely going to be harder relatively but if you learn to study correctly, you might feel it'll be okay or even easier. You'll definitely have to try a few different methods. Everyone learns differently. Find something that'll work for you.

TL;DR: manage your time better, learn how to study correctly/properly/efficiently

@holydragon: AP scores got me straight to Calc 2, thankfully. This is my 2nd semester, but still first year. Wow...almost the whole day in a lab, are students allowed to stay that whole time?? I may not be competitive but I just want to see where this major takes me. Probably not much but I'm a simple person with little wants, so anything is good for me, as long as it is something.

@icemage11: My Community College (CC) probably only has the intro, so I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.

@gmchess: Ya, I agree with you. My current study habits for previous classes, easier ones, doesn't work with these classes. My current study habits is spending most of my time understanding the homework problems given, which is about 5-6hours. Then when tests comes around I study 1-2 hours on the homeworks I have done. I guess I do need a better way to study than homework given. Any suggestion, besides group study or is that a MUST?

@joyfulcharm: Do you suggest I take linear algebra and differential before statics? In my CC they offer it needing only physics 101, which is a first semester physics for regular 4-year, I believe.

@mrmoogle: Ya I take notes, but more like copy notes because my process for understanding is a lot slower than others. So, I have to just quickly copy the notes and go back to them when tests are in a week. I do listen though, just so many questions in my head that I fall behind.
Since, I feel like the problem is my study habits. How do you guys study for your STEM classes?

Engineering grad here.

My thought is you're not spending your class time productively. There are three types of learning: hearing, seeing, and doing. If you hear the prof talk, see him write on the board, the (do) take notes, you hit all three. Personally, I don't take notes so I can review them later, I take notes so I can remember it now.

In the intro courses, I only spent like 30 minutes per homework set (not including lab write-ups). Later on, it was taking longer and longer. Usually 2 hours. Plus they added projects which would take much longer. Although I am fairly gifted in the math and science area, it may take longer for you, and our teachers might require different levels.

Also about Calc 3, I hardly used it after that course. I used 1, 2, linear algebra, and diff eq. Also, 90% of engineers I know, don't use any of that after college. It's mostly auto-CAD stuff, and circuit design, depending on the major. I use it regularly, but I am also more analytical than most. Likewise, there are engineering courses that require more math and some that require less.

I also only used Chemistry once or twice, and they reviewed the specific material in the course.

Since it's your first year, I believe you just need to find your groove, and it takes time. Everyone struggles at times, but only you can know if it's not for you.

Good Luck.
~Moogle

@xronellex I found linear algebra & differential equations to be easier. And yes, your classes are only going to get harder. I'm a junior civil engineering major taking 6 STEM classes this semester. I don't want to tell you to switch najors since you haven't taken any mechE classes yet but I suggest you find a group of friends and study together early on when your major classes start rolling in. MechE and civil classes are pretty similar in sophomore year and honestly, if you don't do well in those classes....then you should reconsider your major. Statics is most likely your first major class and that at most requires physics 1 and linear algebra+differential (when I took it at least).

@xronellx: @icemage11:

This is my opinion but I found linear + applied linear much easier than single-variable + multi-variable calculus.

And I seriously think it's just your work habit that's holding you down. The courses you've mentioned aren't fundamentally hard, they're actually very basic and straightforward. Which leads me to say: no, you're not biting off more than you can chew.

If you want more specific advice, could you tell us how you prepare for an exam? (such as how long prior to an exam do you start studying and etc.)

@xronellx: I dabbed into linear algebra in IB Math in high school so I found Intro to Linear Algebra to be easy, although many of my friends who were taking it for the first time failed. I tried Abstract Linear Algebra and that was a disaster, same with Applied Linear Algebra. If you're taking the intro course it should be okay. but the higher level stuff are really tough.

Hmm... how are you a first year but with only three courses... is that normal? Where's Calc 1 and 2? Anyways, taking the community college route is a good choice to save money. 5+ hours on less than 10 questions of homework is pretty normal (confirmed from engineering student reddit and my own experience). Just do the questions from homework and past exams until you master them. Finals are much easier since you'll get some down time to study for those. If you have time to spare, you can look for questions outside of the course. From what I've seen, students who work with friends or in a group do much better than the antisocial students (like me), and also spend less time on homework. Sleep is important, you'll be miserable without it. ME and EE are considered the most intensive Engineer major at my school from what I've heard but the load remains stable... until design courses come around, then you're busy all the time.

Calc 3 is used a lot in EE from what I remember (Partials Dif/Multiple int and Cylindrical Coordinates were used for electromagnetism). In ME, it's probably used for controls, thermodynamics, or something. Whenever I needed to use it, I had to review it through internet sources to apply them again. Linear algebra is more conceptual than Calc 3, and not as memorable, but it's probably easier...? Only thing I remember is vectors, matrices, and some of their applications.

Are you truly happy with this major? Like some posters said, don't lie to yourself and force yourself into this major, you'll be miserable. There's a reason first year dropout rates for engineering is so high. If I could choose again, I'd go to trade school. Instead, here I am spending 5-6 hours everyday in the lab going through trial and error to design an efficient motor to attach to a stalled helicopter. Last Monday, I had to stay in the lab 4pm to 3am to get a design ready for Tuesday morning because when something goes wrong, you just throw something to the wall until it sticks. Then I had to find an empty corner to sleep in because the buses no longer ran. The area I'm in has so many Engineers graduating so it would be difficult to find a local job as well; its also the reason why Canada is top three in exporting Engineers. You'll be changing jobs every 4 years, you'll be competing with a load of people, and if you don't have the knack, you won't be able to get a job in the field.

@icemage11: How is linear algebra? Thats the next class I'm going to take next semester along with Physics 102 and chem 101. Is linear algebra A LOT harder than Calc 3? Or is it the same level?

I'm just worried that I don't have enough time to actually comprehend everything, thus needing to sacrifice some parts for others. Don't get me wrong though, I am willing to change habits and sacrifice things because I do like learning and the challenge. I just feel that I am biting more than I can chew. Which makes me think of the future when I transfer, to transfer to Cal Poly Pomona or Northride. I read somewhere that its alot harder in Pomona than Northridge, in which, if I can't survive my current position then I can't survive the 4 year colleges.

Do you guys think I am being unrealistic with my thoughts? Should I keep going with the motto "Just work hard and you'll be fine."? Whats a class that I should know that should be priortized most into understanding?

3 classes is 15 units? For me, it would be considered 9 units.

@xronellx: Anyways, to answer you question, I also pursued engineering during my undergraduate studies. I'm nearing the end of my 4th year, ready to graduate.

Don't worry if you failed Calc 3. Just retake it in the summer and makes sure you get the foundations down. I had a friend re-take Calc 2 three times. Yes, three times. And the funny thing is he's pursuing engineering as well (his progress got delayed due to having to retake calc 2 three times).

A lot of people fail math so don't feel bad. Just makes sure you retake it because upper year engineering courses are built upon the foundations of basic calculus.

As you get to upper year engineering courses, it gets tougher, but there's a lot of curving as well. For example, for one of my thermodynamics courses, the class average was below 50% after our third midterm but due to curving, a lot of people ended up with A's.

Just don't give up and you should be fine! It's very rewarding in the end.

It only gets harder from there. Calc 3 was a pretty easy math course compared to applied linear algebra and differential equations. it's the basis of engineering math and trust me, it does not get easier. if you only take 2 stem courses per semester you're going to take 10 years to graduate. Either switch majors, maybe a math heavy major is just not for you, or change up your study habits.

you can't just spend all your times trying all different types of questions. you need to understand the root of it and be able to apply your knowledge to questions no matter what type they are, and you need to be able to do this fluently. if you don't have enough questions to practice on, ask your prof for extra practice or look for past exams for that class.

if you're just not mathematically inclined, don't force yourself to stay in engineering just because you don't know what else you want to do. you'll just end up miserable and fail your classes.

Ya, I do at times just do the homework to get it out of the way because of the other frequent homework from other classes. It's just that the homework questions,online homework, gives one or two problems of a type of question. Then the next questions changes giving me not enough practice on the same type of questions.

So basically, I do need to find a better studying method for myself. I have tried study groups, but I end up spending more time explaining to others or me looking at a problem for hours until I understand it before I start engaging to the group.

Is there any other studying methods to do? I don't really know how I can internalize the material when after just 2 problems of a type of question I have to move on or else I won't finish in time.

I think I won't change my major, partly because I have no idea of any other majors to aim for. Also, I'm in a Community College. I don't know if that matters but I hear its COMPLETELY more difficult in a 4 year, so I'm worried about that too.

^The points posted above are good. To build on #1, consider two additional strategies: 1) Study in a group to engage yourself with the content in a different way than you are normally accustomed. Dynamic interaction and being able to teach back the content learned improves retention. 2) Consider getting tutored.

The gritty reality of Sezbeth's #2 is a track that will have you in college longer than 4 years. It's definitely q viable option if you have the patience and can afford it.

If you cannot turn around your grades in the next semester, then I recommend changing majors. Engineering assumes proficiency in the foundation math courses (particularly 2nd year multivariable calculus and differential equations.)

@xronellx: If this is really the case with your current course load, I can recommend two courses of action. Considering your major, no matter what, there will come a time where you will have nothing but STEM classes, so you may have to find a way to make your studying more efficient or even use this time spent on your homework as a way to actually study (which is homework's actual purpose anyway).

1) This situation where you're doing your homework without learning a substantial amount of the material, even without extra time spent on studying, is actually very discerning; I would strongly recommend figuring out how to internalize the material while doing the homework instead of what seems to be you going through the motions just to get it out of the way.

2)Go with your other option where you stall the eventual (and inevitable unless you're willing to switch majors) course load and cap yourself at two STEM-oriented courses per semester while working on presumably core classes that would make up these "easy courses".

Ideally, I'd try option #1 before option #2.

My major is Mechanical Engineering, but I'm still a first year so I haven't really gotten into the main engineering part. Study habits are usually taken up by the homework for each class. Takes me a minimum of 4 hours and an average of 5-6 hrs per homework for Physics and Math, only homework. I haven't really found time to actually study for something because of this. I was hoping that the homework would help me in the tests and quizes but not in these classes.

I don't have a "social life" I sacrificed that a long time ago. Now its almost come to the point where I think I will need to sacrifice my sleep, which is really important to me. But, do you think I should be taking another 3 STEM classes next semester? I think I can handle 2 STEM plus a easy class to make room for studying.

First, gather yourself and think seriously about your study habits and if they're even efficient. STEM classes are inherently going to require much more studying than the liberal arts/humanities, so if you're approaching these classes in that manner, you're going to fall behind.

Secondly, the subjects (in your case, Chemistry, Physics and Math) will get harder as you go along. Some upper-level classes will be harder than others, but bottom line, if you're legitimately struggling with these (taking into account up-to-par study habits), then the ones beyond them are going to have abysmal projections for you at best. Though, fret not, so long as you actually pass these classes, you may still have time to recover (depending on your academic year, of course).

With these out of the way, I have to ask, what exactly is your major? Judging from the classes, I'm going to guess that it's fairly technical. Chemistry, physics, and mathematics are going to require relatively different study habits, but they will all be quite rigorous. This wont mean that you'll have to sacrifice your entire social life (provided you have one), but I wouldn't expect said social life to be high on the priorities list.