What should I major in?

[rock rash]

Just failed a statics exam and got a D- on a Calc II exam. IT is becoming realistic that mechanical engineering may not be in my future. Those who kinda know...post what you think...hell i dont care, throw out some ideas. blah blah blah, i know i suck at school so please dont rub it in.:flamemad::flamemad::flamemad:

[NJ95JeepXJ]

Just because you suck at calculus doesn't mean you can't be an engineer. Try Civil Engineering, or even better: Engineering Management. It requires absolutely no technical engineering knowledge whatsoever.

[Skullver]

Just failed a statics exam and got a D- on a Calc II exam. IT is becoming realistic that mechanical engineering may not be in my future. Those who kinda know...post what you think...hell i dont care, throw out some ideas. blah blah blah, i know i suck at school so please dont rub it in.:flamemad::flamemad::flamemad:you just need to study harder, or some:) sorry had to do it. What ever interests you, otherwise you will never do well. If you are already taking statics/calculus then you are ahead of the game for most non-engr majors, what about sociology or communications? You really can't let a bunch of people you don't know tell you what you should do with the rest of your life, or at least the next 4-5 years:). That being said, good luck.

[Beej]

you just need to study harder, or some:) sorry had to do it. What ever interests you, otherwise you will never do well. If you are already taking statics/calculus then you are ahead of the game for most non-engr majors, what about sociology or communications? You really can't let a bunch of people you don't know tell you what you should do with the rest of your life, or at least the next 4-5 years:). That being said, good luck. Agreed. Remember that first and second year disciplinary courses (ie - related to a specific discipline) are heavily oriented around establishing a base of knowledge while weeding out all but the most passionate about the subject.

I have to disagree with Skullvarian on one point, the social sciences rely heavily on statistical calculations, especially Sociology - the entire discipline is research-oriented...

Rockrash: what do you absolutely love to do, that you feel most passionate about and that work related to it is effortless and invigorating? Figure that out and you'll be way ahead of the game.

[SCW]

I got a "C" in Statics and a "C" in Calc II after getting an “A” in calc I. Sh!t happens, and that is one of the tougher semesters of you education, imo. I'm in grad school now and couldn't give a crap about my grades as long as I don't get kicked out (have to be above a B- average with only one "C" allowed).

I'm not convinced that grades are as important as a lot of people make them out to be. Do you understand most of the concepts? Both of these classes you could take over and raise your GPA after you keep going for a while, but I don't see the point. After you keep going in the program for a while all of this stuff will either be second nature, or you'll become the homework mooch nobody will help. Everyone does some of each, depending on the class.

One thing that really helped me was to realize that the guys who do it for a living can't pass those classes (at least most civil engineers I work with can't, and I'd say 90% of the Electrical either). Sometimes you just have to do what it takes to get through and move on, other times you get the luxury of learning the stuff pretty well.

Once you get some breathing room I’d suggest either taking one of two routes. Either take the class to learn the material, or take it to get an “A”. It’s not the same thing. I would study the material in order to understand it enough to do my own design, others would study for the specific exam. I regularly got A- and B+, while they would get A’s, but I feel I’m well versed in the subject and I have friends ask me still how to do things we learned together in school.

[SCW]

Agreed. Remember that first and second year disciplinary courses (ie - related to a specific discipline) are heavily oriented around establishing a base of knowledge while weeding out all but the most passionate about the subject.



Yep, Statics is a big weed-out class. Good luck.

[rock rash]

i know, not many people on here know me enough to know what i am interested in. but i mainly needed to vent

i wouldnt mind getting c's in both classes, but i do not understand any of the material...well, i think i do, but then i am completely let down by the exam results. I think i might end up dropping statics for this semeste and try to focus on physics and calculus, then i could always take statics next semester, if i am still interested in the major.

I need to take a break to figure out what i am really passionate about. I need to do more research into a few majors that i have considered in the past.

but the problem is, if i take a break, there is no way i will be able to come back next semester...

thanks for all the input without the smartass remarks! seriously, thank you

[Skullver]

I think you mis-read, he failed STATICS not statistics, but I agree with you about statistical analysis and its many uses in the social sciences.

Around finals time a very common phrase was "d for degree".



Agreed. Remember that first and second year disciplinary courses (ie - related to a specific discipline) are heavily oriented around establishing a base of knowledge while weeding out all but the most passionate about the subject.

I have to disagree with Skullvarian on one point, the social sciences rely heavily on statistical calculations, especially Sociology - the entire discipline is research-oriented...

Rockrash: what do you absolutely love to do, that you feel most passionate about and that work related to it is effortless and invigorating? Figure that out and you'll be way ahead of the game.

[SCW]

Just because you suck at calculus doesn't mean you can't be an engineer. Try Civil Engineering, or even better: Engineering Management. It requires absolutely no technical engineering knowledge whatsoever.

You won't get far in Civil without Statics, but the math required is a little less if you stay out of Finite element structural design.

Even at that, I do Finite Element modeling all day every day at work with a Civil degree and Environmental emphasis. Don’t fool yourself into thinking school is more to your career than just the first 4 years. You’ll have 30 years to put it behind you and be glad you’re not there anymore.

Personally, I wouldn't have ever been happy in the college of letters and pictures.

[rock rash]

I think you mis-read, he failed STATICS not statistics, but I agree with you about statistical analysis and its many uses in the social sciences.

Around finals time a very common phrase was "d for degree".unfortunatly not for engineering...74% and lower is considered failing in ME at CSU!!!

[BRIANHO13]

I almost switched to Business 3 times from Mechanical Engineering...Calc 1, 2, 3. Its worth it if you stick with it.

[Skullver]

unfortunatly not for engineering...74% and lower is considered failing in ME at CSU!!!
not at UCSB, as far as I can remember, of course I studied all day everyday like a good little boy and never needed to worry about it. That was in the ME dept so maybe it has changed since then, either way those with poor grades will get weeded out eventually in the job market.

[Wolfe]

give up ! go on welfare. Lifes too hard to try

[Skullver]

give up ! go on welfare. Lifes too hard to try
the welfare system in Aus kicks ass, that is actually a decent living:)

[rock rash]

give up ! go on welfare. Lifes too hard to trythanks for the advice douche

[TRNDRVR]

got a D- on a Calc II exam.Always remember, a 'D' is a passing grade.

[rock rash]

unfortunatly not for engineering...74% and lower is considered failing in ME at CSU!!!

[SCW]

I think i might end up dropping statics for this semeste and try to focus on physics and calculus, then i could always take statics next semester, if i am still interested in the major.


DON'T DO IT!

From experience it isn't worth it. Get through and you'll be glad you did. A close friend of mine struggle in several classes we took, now he makes $60K/year with 2 years experience.

[rock rash]

i might just drop statics for this semester and pick it up in the spring if i pass calc II

[ZPD]

I started out as an ME. I did ok in Statics and struggled through Calc 1 and 2. I decided to switch to Manufacturing Enigneering my sophmore year for three reasons:
1. No more math after Calc 1 & 2
2. Most Mechanical Engineers become Manufacturing Engineers in the work force anyway
3. It fit me better because it was a good mix of theoretical design and pratical, hands on engineering

[Skullver]

i might just drop statics for this semester and pick it up in the spring if i pass calc II
maybe if you stop worrying about your post count, and start worrying about finding tutoring help with statics, you would be doing better. Just kidding, it is hard to juggle everything but it will eventually work out if you have your head in the right place.

[rock rash]

yeah...i need more practice at nalancing everything in my life...atleast im no jeepdude1000 with the posts :D

id never get anything done...


Hey, ZPD, got any info on the manufacturing engineering, that sounds very interesting!

[jpars]

Ive been in college 2 weeks, and it seems more and more apparent to me every day that a degree in business is maybe the best bang for your buck. Although it might not directly be stufying your passion, you can apply it to almost anything.

Im debating that and physcology- the undergrad and masters program in psyc is great here and its caught my interest.

[Rev Den]

Might I suggest the food service or housekeeping industries?

No BS bro....there are a bunch of geat jobs out there for people without degrees. However....I would suggest you get a tutor, study a little more, drink a little less, and stick to it.

Rev

[Matt S.]

Hey... honestly... take a break if you can handle it. Going back has been the best thing EVER for me. I LOVE school now and enjoy the homework and going to class as well. I am shooting for IE/IT. I am trying to get into production work and doing international business possibly.


JUST DO WHATEVER IT TAKES.

[rocklandxjer]

just read ahead in the books and do side research of your own. im still in high school, but im going for aerospace/robotics at RPI. over the summer i checked out a fluid dynamics course and it was all theory... right over my head. but it didnt turn me off, i know that thats what i want to do, so i did some side research, and went to some more classes, and i started to get it..

if you feel that designing thigs is what you want to do, then just keep at it. in the real world youll have other engineers and textbooks to help you out. just get through school and youll be fine

[rocklandxjer]

double

[ZPD]

Hey, ZPD, got any info on the manufacturing engineering, that sounds very interesting!

See if your school offers it- there are a few that do. Don't get it confused with Industrial Engineering- they are a bit different.

[SteelblueSteve]

Study politics or become a priest. The fringe benefits are quite similar I hear.

[SCW]

Study politics or become a priest. The fringe benefits are quite similar I hear.

:D :D :D





.




.

[HaleYes]

Basket weaving.

[shortxjdoug]

haha this thread caught my eye while i was burning my mind with chemistry homework, i'm a first year ME and its nothing what i thought it would be i talked with an advisor and the curriculum just keeps drifting farther away from hands on. i'm seriously considering going MIT (manufacturing industrial technology) because it is much more hands on with the processes, first year labs are casting parts and things like that, MUCH more interesting to me and a lighter workload in general, since i have so many other projects and jobs outside of school im crumbling to peices right now trying to fit it all in.

[pabloconrad]

Study politics or become a priest. The fringe benefits are quite similar I hear.

That's too funny.

Seriously, take your time and ask a lot of questions in class. I got a C in Calc I, studied a bit more before Calc II and ended up with an A in that, A in Multi-variable Calc, B in differentials, B in Linear Algebra, and a B in Partial Differentials.

I ended up graduating with a major Photojournalism and minor in Mathematics. Now I can't even balance my checkbook.

You just gotta find the hurdle you need to jump.

[SCW]

I ended up graduating with a major Photojournalism and minor in Mathematics. Now I can't even balance my checkbook.

Nobody with a Jeep can balance their checkbook.

Also consider that you might be stuck in a cubicle farm for the rest of your career. After farming and construction, that was the reason I dropped out for several years. It still bugs me to be so confined, but the trade-offs are worth it to me. Well, now they are but it was the biggest reason I dropped out years ago.

[olivedrabcj7]

I was in the exact same boat as you except I passed Stats. Cal 2 raped me. I walked my happy ass right over to the business college and changed my major to Business Management....best decision I ever made.

[JPWilson]

I'm a sophomore MET (Mechanical Engineering Technology) at Purdue right now... I orginally got accepted to Pharmacy school, but that changed once I realized I don't want to do something I would hate for the rest of my life. I made it through Calc. 1 ( I recieved a D.... don't laugh, I had a C until everyone in my class failed the final) and for Calc. 2 I got an A :clap:. How well, gradewise, you do in a class depends a lot on your teacher.

Most of it depends on YOU though.

I'm in Statics right now, and it isn't too bad, just a shit load of work. Sometimes though, you just have to put your head down and plow down whatever gets in your way. I turn in 12+ pages of Statics work 3 times a week. It's a lot of work, but will it be worth it to me when I'm done with it? Yes.

I decided on MET over ME as my major because:
1. You don't have to take the pointless, tedious, freshmen engineering classes.
2. You also recieve the same job offers and the same pay as ME's.
3. And the stuff we're going to study soon actually interests me.

Good luck making up your mind :thumbup:

[rock rash]

haha this thread caught my eye while i was burning my mind with chemistry homework, i'm a first year ME and its nothing what i thought it would be i talked with an advisor and the curriculum just keeps drifting farther away from hands on. i'm seriously considering going MIT (manufacturing industrial technology) because it is much more hands on with the processes, first year labs are casting parts and things like that, MUCH more interesting to me and a lighter workload in general, since i have so many other projects and jobs outside of school im crumbling to peices right now trying to fit it all in.that stinks, my first year i was in the materials shops alot! it was great



I have decided to keep with ME, just gotta talk to my advisor tomorrow, i found out that my advisor signed my up for statics but i am suppossed to be done with physics and calc II bfore going into statics! AHHHHH! oh well, im probably going to drop statics this semester and finish up calc and hopefully pass :D

thanks...most people werent dicks! :D

[Beetlejuice]

Didnt read the whole thread, but im a 3rd year ME major and calc courses are VERY important. Theres not a class now where im not using calulus/Diff Eqs/etc.
Also taking Calc. 5 right now. Its tough, no doubt, im really struggling with thermo and fluids. Stick with it if its what you really want. I tend to be lazy and not put the time in. Dont be like me.

[rock rash]

calc 5? we go through calc 3 then have diff eq and thats it

[Beetlejuice]

calc 5? we go through calc 3 then have diff eq and thats it

They call Diff Eq calc 4 at my school, then Calc 5 is Laplace transfers, etc. I dunno why, they just do.

[ColoCherokees]

Well, if you need motivation to keep on, keepin' on...

Today is my 30th birthday (4 Oct), and I'm sloshing my way through a physics degree.

Why is this so rough?

First, I already did the "college thing" and have a BA in English - I could care less about how the football team is doing, what's going on in the Physics Club, and what crappy local band is playing in the on-campus bowling alley. I'm a for-real person with credit card payments, my own rent (Mommy and Daddy don't pay for me and my wife's lifestyle anymore, boo hoo), and general real-life responsibilities.

Side note: The University of Colorado-Boulder could really care less if your wife had a miscarriage - if you're on the waitlist for a class and she miscarries, drop everything and race over to the admin building to fill out some paperwork to make sure you're added to the as now-unfilled class. I know she just lost your first-born, but CU waits for no family tragedy.

All this to say, it could be worse - push through the hardships as a youngster if you think this degree is your calling, and you have the brains/ability to do this job in the real world. If not, take a semester off - hell, take a year off - and do some thinking about what you might want to do with youself. Getting a technical education doesn't necessarily get easier with age (but being older does help with yelling at admin pukes and threatening lawsuits and media-coverage, I have to admit).

Plus, when you're my age, the dumbass 18 year olds wandering around in pink polos with collars "popped" only make you want to punch them in the throat - not conducive to earning a degree and getting a nice job.

Overall, if you're not cut-out for the math, don't make it a pride issue. Find out what it is you do excell at, and do that. If you just need to put in some more time and/or effort into the math, do that and be a happy engineer.

[Wolfe]

thanks for the advice douche

Maybe, but ive got a job dipshit.
For what its worth you wont find the answer to your problem on the internet, stop the poor me bullshit, set a goal and get on with it, stop feeling sorry for yourself ,stop trying to extract sympathy from people who dont know you and at the end of the day, dont give a shit. You need to decide what you want to do for yourself, set a goal, then pursue it. Dont give up because its hard. It took my wife ten years to get her second degree in law. She had three children in that time, so stop your whining and get on with it

[goodburbon]

I'm in almost the same boat rash. I couldn't take statics yet though, My problem was with calc 2. I did well for the first few weeks, then started stumbling. The trouble was that I would get 10 problems into the homework and then get stuck, The next day was for questions, but I could only get in so many questions, and then I was doing yesterdays homework today, ending up with more questions on that, then trying to do todays homework and getting stuck 10 problems in and restarting the whole process. Eventually I was a week behind the rest of the class, and tutoring only marginally helped, since an hour with a tutor was useless when they left and I got stuck 2 problems later. I wouldn't just sit there and dwell on one problem either. I would run into trouble and skip to the next. After taking pre-calc Algebra six times, Pre-calc trig once, Calc 1 twice( death in family first time), calc 2 twice (and not passing) my last calc 2 prof has informed me that my problem is a lack of proficiency in Algebra skills. At this point I know that it is no longer feasible to stay in school persuing a ME degree. The trouble is, that every other degree I am remotely interested in requires Calc II. Just get it done is what people say, but that just isn't happening.

It's not that I can't understand the concepts, it's that I cannot see all of the posibilities of trig identities and substitutions I can use in a complex problem. It's a shame because I make good grades in the rest of my classes, and got the ONLY A in my damn engineering course last semester.

I am now wondering what the hell to do as well. I haven't ever considered being anything else but an engineer or a fighter pilot, that was when I was young..and the AF won't have me back. Here I am, 80 hours of college credit and no closer to a degree than I was when I started.

I am very fortunate on one count, I ended up taking the semester off to come work here in Turkey for $500 a day. At least I will have a down payment on a house before i start next semester.

[IcedXJ]

Calc II? Thats easy stuff...Now Calc III Multivariate Calculus is fun stuff...and yes I know I posted late but you know what you can kiss if you even say that.

[53guy]

Whatever you do, don't drop out or take a break from school. I'm in the military and as much as I love it and enjoy what I do, I'm kicking myself in the face every time I talk to you college XXXXs. Education is very important if not over rated, but every time I climb into my chopper, I see the most retarted stick monkeys flying me around, but they get paid 4x what I do because of their education in growing peanuts. Just graduate school and do something you enjoy, because life is 10x harder if you hate your job.

[LilRhodyXJ]

rock rash if it makes you feel better im also in college, first year, and i have no fawking clue what I want to do/be...im taking gen ed classes but i dont even have a direction i want to go in....anybody wanna help me out too:bawl:?
i realize how easy my classes are only taking english, psych, criminal soc, and western history but i feel like college isint for me.. i dunno what to do...

andrew

[Fish'nCarz]

Whatever you do, don't drop out or take a break from school. I'm in the military and as much as I love it and enjoy what I do, I'm kicking myself in the face every time I talk to you college XXXXs. Education is very important if not over rated, but every time I climb into my chopper, I see the most retarted stick monkeys flying me around, but they get paid 4x what I do because of their education in growing peanuts. Just graduate school and do something you enjoy, because life is 10x harder if you hate your job.


Yep. Nothing like working in a field for 25 years and waking up realizing that you are very good at doing something you hate!

[red91]

Rockrash: what do you absolutely love to do, that you feel most passionate about and that work related to it is effortless and invigorating? Figure that out and you'll be way ahead of the game.

Little Brother...Have to go with beej's comment. There is still one glictch...expect things to change and be flexible. I've been working in my field 15 yrs. from the bottom up, and the "corp. world" is just making it unbearable.

Looking to get back into a more family oriented business doing the same / similar thing.

Or you could simply ask..."would you like fries with your fries?"

Hang in there...where your at now, is better than where I'm at now.

[rock rash]

Plus, when you're my age, the dumbass 18 year olds wandering around in pink polos with collars "popped" only make you want to punch them in the throat - not conducive to earning a degree and getting a nice job.



please, for all of us, PUNCH THEM IN THE THROAT!!! haha

[53guy]

please, for all of us, PUNCH THEM IN THE THROAT!!! haha


I'm sure we could come up with a fund raiser to post your bail! I'd for one put in $100 just to watch someone do that for me. I can't as I'd kill them, but if you do, I know a few good lawyers. :thumbup: Pisses me off knowing they'll make a crap load more than me doing the same job and know 1/8th of what I do.

[BIGWOODY]

If you want a good paying job right out of college and the ability to relocate just about anywhere be a nurse...Focker

[53guy]

If you want a good paying job right out of college and the ability to relocate just about anywhere be a nurse...Focker


And then change your name to XJnurse too, so we can all know!

[UNCC_99XJ]

I'm a sophomore MET (Mechanical Engineering Technology) at Purdue right now... I orginally got accepted to Pharmacy school, but that changed once I realized I don't want to do something I would hate for the rest of my life. I made it through Calc. 1 ( I recieved a D.... don't laugh, I had a C until everyone in my class failed the final) and for Calc. 2 I got an A :clap:. How well, gradewise, you do in a class depends a lot on your teacher.

Most of it depends on YOU though.

I'm in Statics right now, and it isn't too bad, just a shit load of work. Sometimes though, you just have to put your head down and plow down whatever gets in your way. I turn in 12+ pages of Statics work 3 times a week. It's a lot of work, but will it be worth it to me when I'm done with it? Yes.

I decided on MET over ME as my major because:
1. You don't have to take the pointless, tedious, freshmen engineering classes.
2. You also recieve the same job offers and the same pay as ME's.
3. And the stuff we're going to study soon actually interests me.

Good luck making up your mind :thumbup:

I'm in my freshman year of MET. It's not really what I thought it would be, but first year for ET or regular engineering students is always the BS year...everybody takes about the same courses, cause they're all base courses. I currently got a c+ in my intro to ET course, and somewhere along the lines of a C+ B- in my Physics class...which are the 2 hardest classes I have right now....the rest is just like the HS courses I took (college algebra and drafting/technical drawing) and for the time being is a review.

I'd say just stick with it. I don't have any experience, as i'm still learning, but everybody i've talked to has said stick with it and the reward is sweet.

[SCW]

I am very fortunate on one count, I ended up taking the semester off to come work here in Turkey for $500 a day. At least I will have a down payment on a house before i start next semester.

What are you doing in Turkey and how long will you be there? Don't tell my wife, but I'm looking at overseas work to pay off grad school debt (I have a LOT of it).

[pabloconrad]

Whatever you do, don't drop out or take a break from school.

Good advice. In my last two years in college, I went through a divorce, worked full time, and took 18 hrs a semester to graduate on time. I maintained a 3.4 GPA. It wasn't easy, but I did it.

I'm in the military and as much as I love it and enjoy what I do, I'm kicking myself in the face every time I talk to you college XXXXs.

I felt the same way in the Navy. We had some dumb-assed officers in charge of E-Div who didn't study engineering nor electrical.

Education is very important if not over rated, but every time I climb into my chopper, I see the most retarted stick monkeys flying me around, but they get paid 4x what I do because of their education in growing peanuts. Just graduate school and do something you enjoy, because life is 10x harder if you hate your job.

That's why I decided to go after being out 10 years. Got really tired of restaurant management.