![]() 10/05/2014 at 00:43 • Filed to: Life Sucks | ![]() | ![]() |
It's one of those times, and I'm stuck in a disappointed mood and mindset and I don't know what to do. :(
Year two in college and nothing seems to be going my way; nothing did the first year either, partly because of my own doing I bet. I'm beginning to question my own major and whether or not it really is for me or not. I'm just a failure, or at least that's how I'm feeling.
College these days is very competitive it seems; trying to keep up with your peers, stay on the same level, balance life and it's issues, and it always seems like a race to the finish to me. Maybe it is, I don't know, I just can't function like this. I just feel like an idiot and why? Because my major is mechanical engineering and I can't do shit in math.
I'm just stupid and slow, and that's my fault. I don't ever seem to understand concepts and I can never apply them to anything I do; I can't study because I'm easily distracted and it pisses me off. It's so bad in fact, that I'm still taking precalculus whereas everyone else in my class is on to Calc 2 or even 3, and it makes me feel retarded or mentally challenged. Nothing I try to do ever works out for me as much as I want it to, and it's just a struggle every damn day. I can't focus in class nor can I outside of class.
And along with being so easily distracted, my one passion and reason for choosing this major is what's distracting me: Cars and such. I spend more time looking at and driving cars than I do sleeping and studying and it's an addiction I can't break no matter how hard I try. When I'm on Oppo, I should be studying or sleeping or doing something to further my education; but I can't! I've got an exam Monday morning that I knew about two weeks ago, and it was only tonight that I began to study!! I did this for the last exam and failed it(thankfully there's a retake on it), but I don't fucking know why I couldn't make myself study sooner, and on top of that, I've got a resume and a group project due Monday and Tuesday respectively. Why am I ruining my life and fucking up all the time?? It's been this way since middle school, I've never tried to do 110%, but I'd always get by with good results, and now when I need to change the most, I can't.
And it didn't help that I started car project either. I haven't touched that 302 block in a couple weeks now and it's just sitting in my friend's basement. All I ever want to do is talk cars, drive cars, think cars, just cars and it's killing me.
And I know this is all my fault.
On top of this, I'm finding no time to get up and go exercise when I want to and I'm just gaining weight gradually from my old lazy lifestyle of old. I don't feel like eating or sleeping much anymore, it's just fucking cars. The one thing that keeps me going is slowing me down..
I don't know anymore. If I can't do math, I won't survive my major and I'll fail, I'm not seeing any silver lining or hope in this; I can only imagine the future that awaits my failures and being a broke failing student with too much debt, and I just feel burnt out right now..
A third of the semester has gone by, I've got 2/3 left to try to make it up.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 00:45 |
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Yikes. Now MechE is scaring me... That's what I want to major in.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 00:45 |
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But you'll be fine. We're all here to help and support you however you need it.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 00:47 |
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I went in thinking everything would be alright, but it's clear to me that results will vary, and mine suck.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 00:48 |
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I keep wanting to do this alone, but every time I try, I fuck up. But I want to be independent but that gets me nothing..
![]() 10/05/2014 at 00:50 |
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Well there's no shame in asking for help. I learned that the hard way (in high school, but the principle is the same). You've got your whole Oppo family here. I'm probably not the best person to ask, but I'm sure that there are others here who can help you out.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 00:51 |
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This shit takes time to figure out. Dont be so hard on your self, especially this early in the semester. Hell, its not even midterms yet.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 00:52 |
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You can be independent without being fully independent. If you really need help with something try going to talk with your professors or ask others in you major to help/study with you. All you need to do is make the right choices. I'm in High School but I know what you'll need to do to succeed. Don't be trying so hard to do everything by yourself. You'll only hurt yourself more in the long run than if you got help now.
I'm not trying to make you feel bad but if you need help with something you need to find someone who can help you understand it.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 00:52 |
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I was always dependent on others throughout my life, I decided that college would be the time for that to change, I haven't improved much at all.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 00:55 |
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bro thats how college works, look at me, freshman year i was in one of the most sought after programs in the country, and had a 6 figure paid internship. 3 years later, I'm taking 3 classes with no direction in anything really, and I deliver pizzas for fuckin' peanuts.
I know that didn't help, but hear me out-
Where we're at right now, it's a period to sort shit out. Maybe your major ain't a good fit for you. So what? maybe switch to a community college for a semester and try to figure out where to go from there.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 00:58 |
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...jesus....this is concerning.
I know how you feel because...well...frankly? its IDENTICAL to what I'm going thorough. mech eng.
cant study
i'm a year behind everyone else (i'm not even IN second year, i'm still in first)
I dont have a car up here...so your ahead of me on that.
man. I really dont know what to say.
wanna add me on FB and we can be-moan and complain/support each other?
![]() 10/05/2014 at 00:58 |
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But the problem is that I want to do something with cars, that's what got me into my major; but I want a high salary, which is hard to find with cars if you're not an engineer.
Mechanics get payed next to nothing in comparison, and yet that's the kind of stuff that interests me, but I don't want a low paying job.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 00:58 |
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Here's a thought to keep you going: If you can stick with MechE, at the end of that long college tunnel awaits a possible automotive design career.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 00:59 |
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Not everyone is meant to be a mechanical engineer.
Source: am mechanical engineer
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:01 |
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This is the trap I fell into a lot while I was in college, I fell behind early and then spent the rest of the semester trying to catch up. If you are really struggling with the math that much I suggest you get a tutor, and go to office hours a lot. One on one instruction makes a world of difference. That being said if you are struggling with pre-calc finishing off a Mech-E degree is going to be rough.
But yeah, spending time on Oppo isn't really helping anything.
Also this isn't exactly going to be what you want to hear either but maybe you can learn from my experiences. I chose to study MechE for the wrong reasons, I loved cars and wanted to an auto engineer. The thing about it is, unless you're with the performance group being an auto-engineer kinda sucks. I was able to speak with a guy from GM at a recruitment event and he spent all day every day working on anti-lock braking systems. That's when I realized being an auto engineer wasn't for me (it was also the fall of 2008, that didn't help either). You need to think about why you wanted to be an engineer and what you want to do with your degree. I've spent the last three years working as an engineer on oil rigs and I just got a job doing Investment Banking. In retrospect I probably should have studied business from the start, but I can't do anything about that now and I've gotten to the place I wanted to end up anyways.
Okay now onto the more positive part: STOP SAYING SHIT LIKE "I KNOW THIS IS ALL MY FAULT," self pity will get you nowhere. Calculus really isn't that hard if you have a good teacher, go find a tutor, study with friends, go to office hours. Professors LOVE when people come to office hours, they are probably the least utilized tool for students. And if you are really feeling that depressed you need to seek professional help. This is not an indictment of your character, or me telling you that you are crazy or anything like that. I've turn to a psychologist several time in my life and it has always been a positive experience, being able to speak with someone in a totally neutral setting can do wonders.
But seriously, stop getting so down on yourself. Go study some math, and don't bring your computer with you. That was always my trick when I really had to get stuff done in college. I didn't have a laptop, desktop only. So when I really had to get work done I went down to the library where I literally had nothing to distract myself with. It works, you'll be amazed what you can get done in a single night when you get away from screens for a while.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:02 |
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Not really helpful I guess, but have you considered Engineering Technologist?
Also, if you seriously need someone to talk to who has been there/done that, email me. Seriously. rockingthe2@gmail.com.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:02 |
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I'm just pressured by everyone around me: my parents, my family. They tell everyone(by that I mean brag to everyone), "Karl's gonna be an engineer and bla bla blah" and I have to set the bar so high I just can't seem to meet their expectations and it makes them look bad and me look bad and feel bad. I had no expectations to live up to growing up, and I now have ones that seem unattainable.
You seem to have a grasp on what you want to do. And that's me again comparing myself to others and trying to match that level.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:05 |
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Well at least your parents aren't Asians who expect you to become a doctor and are disappointed when you tell them you want to be an engineer...
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:05 |
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It isn't all about the money, man.
Do what you would have fun and enjoy doing.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:05 |
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The car(s) is/are what is distracting me. I'm just repeating what happened last year when I promised myself I wouldn't let it happen again. I'm a half-year behind because of math and science and I can't catch up nor do I think I'll even keep up.
Sure, you can add me. If you're in the Oppo group on Facebook, you'll find me easily.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:06 |
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But I can't even seem to get past precalc! That's fucking high school math. I don't see hope.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:06 |
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So am I screwed then.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:06 |
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I think I have an idea on how to keep both of us on topic and not that distracted....I'll see if i can find you
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:07 |
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Why not just tell 'em "Bitch don't kill my vibe." okay, not in those words, but let your folks know how much stress they're putting on ya. Just talk things out.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:07 |
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Dude, get off the internet and go do your work.
Go to a department advisor.
Go to your professors.
Ask for help.
Talk to your classmates. Talk to others in your major that have taken the classes.
Get off the internet.
Oppo will not help you get through college.
Oppo will not give you a skill set for a career.
Oppo will be here doing the same stupid shit regardless of if you fuck up your life or not.
Seriously, these are strangers on the internet.
Unplug from this place and go get an education.
You're in college to learn and do that; stop wasting your time on Oppo and enjoy real life.
Oppo is not real life. Oppo is a hobby, a random way to relax after you have done work.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:09 |
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If it's your second year in college and you're still in precalc, all signs point to yes.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:10 |
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I wanted to go into Mech-E because of cars. I want to do things with cars and be around them. I don't know anything else other than cars. My dad started out trying to study to be an engineer and instead went into business; I swore I'd be the first in my family to actually finish engineering and look where I am now.
And to save money, my chem and precalc books are online, I couldn't afford even renting them as hardbooks.. :(
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:11 |
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What's am Engineering Technologist?
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:12 |
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Because I can never talk to them about my problems.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:13 |
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At least you have expectations to live up to, I had none.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:13 |
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This is dumb, no one is completely independent, being depending on others makes you human.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:14 |
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But then I won't be able to afford the things that I want to enjoy in life. :(
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:14 |
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Look for my massive photodump on Oppositetalk. If you find pics of an F40 and other exotics, it's me.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:14 |
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I "know" what I want to do. That means I'm gunning corporate finance, but I'm questioning my major as well. Do I stay finance econ, or go finance IS, or maybe switch to supply chain all together. Thats normal. thats college. Everybody questions what they think they are gonna go.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:15 |
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Great.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:16 |
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Its not that easy for me to do.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:17 |
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Yes it is. Turn off your computer now, go to sleep, wake up tomorrow and go to an advisor.
Nobody on Oppo can help you.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:18 |
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Unlike most of the fools on this forum I'm not afraid to tell it like it is.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:19 |
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More of the practical applications, less math.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:20 |
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That's made me tear up a bit honestly.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:21 |
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Now what.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:22 |
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Are there cars?
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:23 |
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Okay, maybe there is some hope for me then. But I don't know what to do for my current problem.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:26 |
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![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:28 |
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I think you need to get your priorities in order. You say you can't afford hardbooks yet you have a brand new Focus ST? Either way, get off Oppo and go study, if you can't do that you might as well drop out now. Sitting here wringing your hands won't do you any good, go study young man. If MechE isn't for you so be it, but it's too late in the semester to change things for now. Seriously GET THE FUCK OFF OPPO NOW AND GO FUCKING STUDY. If you aren't willing to do that then what the fuck are you doing? If your dreams about doing cars for your living are so fucking important to you that you're not willing to consider anything else WHY ARE YOU NOT WILLING TO WORK FOR IT?
Life doesn't get easier after college, it gets harder, much harder. I'm not trying to be a dick, I'm being straight with you. I didn't give it 100% while I was in college, I got OK but not great grades, now looking back I realize how relatively little more work it would have taken to get better grades, especially compared to the amount of time you put in on an actual job. College was a fucking breeze compared to real life, I didn't realize just how easy I had it.
You want to be an automotive engineer? Fine being an automotive engineer is now your job as of RIGHT FUCKING NOW. Your job requirements are to do well in school and you will treat it like a job. Get up every day M-F at 7am. Shower eat breakfast, and then start working. Go to classes, eat lunch whatever, When you're not in class you're working. Do that until 6pm. Your nights are your own. If you actually put 40-50 hours of work in a week including the time spent in your classes you will breeze through school. If you can't or aren't willing to do that, then well you don't really care that much about your "dream."
You want actual help? From now on every time I see you post on Oppo I'm going to ask you how much work you did that day, I will badger you about actually doing work. Again what is more important to you, the rest of your life doing your "dream" of being around cars or looking at photos of cars on the internet?
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:28 |
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Now man up and learn how to do fucking math if you want to be an engineer. Get off the internet. Talk to an advisor or professor.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:30 |
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There can be.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:31 |
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That's what I'm in. It's basically a hybrid of ME and IE (kind of like ME was ~30 years ago), where you spend a lot more time with production aspects of engineering as well as design. For example, I only have to take up to Calc 2 and no calc-based physics while my ME friends have to take diff. eq. and three semesters of physics. Right now I'm in statics, machinery controls, and physics 2 as related to my major.
While it's not easy it's definitely a lot better than ME. From what I've seen with internships the opportunities are essentially the same in terms of demand (some even said technologists are more in demand than ME's) and pay's nearly equal when you do land a job. Only thing is that you get hired for factory or other manufacturing jobs instead of R&D, though you still get to work in the automotive world.
Honestly, I suck at math and failed the hell out of pre-calc too, but ended up with a B+ in Calc 1 when I took it. For some reason it was a lot easier than pre-calc. If pre-calc isn't a requirement try and take Calc 1 next semester, even if you fail pre-calc. You could also ask your academic advisor to pull some strings and get you around the pre-req's if pre-calc is required.
If you have any questions about engineering technology please don't be afraid to ask.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:38 |
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while the ST will be a story for another time, you're right.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:40 |
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Hey man, shit happens. I know the feeling... Sometimes you just have a hard time learning stuff. I'm in high school and I had to do geometry all summer because I got so far behind on it this year. I understand just "not getting" something. To quote Ray from Trailer Park Boys, "That's the fuckin' way she goes". If you aren't enjoying what you're learning or don't think you can do it, you might change your major.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:40 |
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The design and manufacturing. That's more of what I want.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:41 |
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Damn straight I'm right. Now get the fuck off Oppo and go fucking study.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:44 |
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It's almost 2am. In line with my sleep problem.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:46 |
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Listen. I know what you feel like. By all means I could be great, but I suffer from crippling motivation issues. I scored a 1990 on my SATs and then promptly flunked out of high school because I simply wasn't doing the work. So, I took the GED and scored in the top 1% of the country, then tried community college for two semesters, dropping out halfway through each because I stopped going to class.
As of yet I have no plans to try school again because I'm afraid the same thing will happen. And that fear of failure just compounds on my pre-existing lack of motivation. I want to go back to school, and I know that I need to if I want to have any sort of future, but right now I'm not at a place in my life where I can. But the option will still be available to me when I am ready.
TL;DR,- School doesn't have to happen now. I have my whole life ahead of me, so for now getting a degree is on the back burner, and I can always start with something less ambitious like tech school. And there's no shame in it if you decide the same thing too.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:48 |
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What particular precalc topic are you stuck on?
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:50 |
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Either study or go the fuck to bed. Staying here will not help you.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 01:55 |
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Definitely ask your advisor about it when you set up classes for next semester. A lot of the ME classes are credited in the MET program so you might not have to start from scratch. Like I said, it's not easy, but it's definitely better than straight ME.
And not to repeat what everyone else is saying but seriously dude, help is out there, and no one gets through college without it. Go find study sessions, visit your professors during office hours, ask classmates for help, whatever. It sucks to admit you don't know what's going on and that you need someone else but let me tell you it sucks even more to fail, believe me when I say that. You can't just wallow in your own mediocrity feeling sorry for yourself, you have to go out there and fix it. You won't magically get better at math overnight or over a week but if you take one week at a time, one class at a time, one homework at a time, one problem at a time, and just focus on doing your absolute best you on each individual aspect of school can you will survive. You can't tell yourself otherwise either, success is your only option at this point two years in. You've paid too much money and spent too much time to just roll over so get the fuck out there and give it everything you've got. You may be surprised at how well you do.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 02:18 |
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Don't feel too bad, K-Roll. I'm good at maths, and I dropped out of ME after one semester. It's taken me 3 years of school to finally figure out what I want to do. That said, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. ;)
As far as the studying issues, don't feel ashamed to talk to a behavioral health doctor. You could very well have ADD / ADHD, causing study issues. There's meds that help — trust me, I was on them for years. Honestly, they made me feel almost zombie-like (which is why I don't take them anymore), but the effect is incredible.
Don't worry about falling behind your peers. Nobody is the same, and the competition / rat race is just total Bullshit. After a few years of screwing around in college, and then a few years off working, I'm now a mid-20's sophomore. Here's a tip: nobody really cares. Hell, there's guys in their 40s in some of my classes who have just decided to go back to school.
If you want to chat further / want some more advice, feel free to shoot me an email: cab591(at)gmail
![]() 10/05/2014 at 02:19 |
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spoken like a true doctor!
![]() 10/05/2014 at 02:22 |
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It sounds like you're trying to prove something to everyone but yourself. If you somehow magically get an A on your Monday test, you still won't be satisfied because, ultimately, it won't mean shit to the rest of the world. You are living in a very emotional time in your life where you're mind is creating battles between what you have been pressured to learn vs. what makes you free thinking individual. College exists to take your parent's money and give you a piece of paper if you do what THEY tell you to do within THEIR rules.
Horribly dumb people have been given college degrees, but the most extraordinary and innovative people figured out that attending college is small potatoes.
I'm not sure who said this, but if you're worried or stressed, then you are hindering your true abilities.
I wish you the best in life. Just don't worry so much about proving yourself to other people. They have their own problems.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 02:23 |
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Get the math help you need, a tutor, khan academy, whatever. Buckle down and take the long view, get your education done now. Put away the car stuff, turn off the computer (unless it's helping with school stuff) and focus.
Are you working a job after school? If not, count your lucky stars, and consider going to college your job.
Ask for the help you need.
Baby steps, take a walk/run, clear your head, set small achievable goals, and then scale up.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 02:28 |
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This is the reason I'm teetering between just being a mechanic, or going into engineering.
I am totally shit at math.
I'm just gonna be tear up some papers for engineering schools now.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 02:37 |
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Stop comparing yourself to others, you ain't them. Them ain't you. Find what you like, what you want to do, give it 110%, then some more. Use your classes to further your hobbies, and your hobbies to further your classes. Bounce them off each other. Then, go fuck a prom queen, frame your diploma, finish the fox body, and live your life.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 03:13 |
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The math didn't come to me at well either, for years and years I was behind, and everything looked like this:
But then, about 8 years later I went back to it, suddenly it looked all like this:
Math just didn't come easily for me until my late 20's, suddenly everything clicked. It wasn't even about the effort - I actually had to put less in once I was ready. Depending on what specific position you take once you are in the workforce, there's a better chance than not you won't end up using any of the calculus, anyhow. Total waste of time. Had a "part-time professor by night, full-time engineer by day" say as much, and it held true - he could recall one instance that he needed a calculus equation, and he and two other engineers needed to get out an old textbook to figure it out. Don't compare yourself to others in class, because those who find it too easy to skate through school tend to expect the same in the workforce, then flop around like a fish out of water every time adversity comes their way. Saw someone else in the comments say maybe you aren't meant to be a mechanical engineer...waaaay too early to say that. There are other avenues in the automotive field that will pay well in the meantime if you aren't ready...for example, testing technicians (in prototype at the automakers) make good coin, often go back to school to become engineers later - that is just one example, I know someone with a love of cars that took that path.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 08:39 |
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Man, I relate so much to what you said.
I felt the same way, I suck ass as math, I felt slow also. It's hard man.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 08:48 |
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I spend more time looking at and driving cars than I do sleeping and studying and it's an addiction I can't break no matter how hard I try.
Have you tried selling the ST? I'm not saying this because I'm trying to be funny or anything, but since you have a self-admitted focus problem in your classes, perhaps you need to cut your ties, and go without a car for a few years (Assuming you live on campus).
This is one of the reasons that some schools restrict parking permits to juniors and seniors and sometimes rising sophomores. No parking permit, no car.
I just want to go through a few of the things you've said, and give you ways to start getting around it.
I can't study because I'm easily distracted and it pisses me off
Library? Leave the laptop at home/dorm, and sit in the library with your pre-calc textbook. Because you need to do that in order to have a hope of...
I don't ever seem to understand concepts
All universities have help desks, either TAs staffing them or sometimes professors. Professors also have office hours. Go to them. The professor may not have time to tutor you on every single thing, but they can point you in the right direction of people who can. Listen to them and follow their advice.
But if you just go in and say "I don't get this", there will be a tending-towards-correct assumption that you just aren't paying attention in class and studying on your own. Hence why you need to spend more quality time with the text book, so you can clearly articulate *WHY* you don't understand, or *WHAT* is not making sense to you.
That more clearly indicates to the professor that you are a) trying, and b) not getting it after self-study.
If you don't get anywhere after taking their advice, and actually doing the tutoring/work with TAs/go to math study hall (if offered), then you can talk to the department chair. Remember that you are a paying customer, so you should expect to be taught, and if you aren't being taught even after engaging with TAs and your professor to remedy the situation, then you can ask the department chair for their ideas.
Don't skip your TAs and professors though, because the first thing a chair will ask is "Have you worked with the professor, and have you been doing what you are supposed to do?" If you document it, this helps your case.
I'm just stupid and slow
OK, so now we are at a place where we find obfuscation of the problem. The real issue here is not with your abilities (You got into the school in the first place, right??????), it's with your work ethic and ability to focus and manage your time.
Example:
I've got an exam Monday morning that I knew about two weeks ago, and it was only tonight that I began to study!! I did this for the last exam and failed it(thankfully there's a retake on it), but I don't fucking know why I couldn't make myself study sooner...
And there you go. You haven't managed your time. If you knew about it two weeks ago, why not plan some time each day to review *a* topic on the exam? i.e. At 7PM Tuesday, I will review X, at 7PM Wednesday, I will review Y, at 7PM Thursday I will review Z. It doesn't have to be a log time (perhaps 45 minutes), but it's getting you in the *habit* of looking more at the material.
And it didn't help that I started car project either. I haven't touched that 302 block in a couple weeks now and it's just sitting in my friend's basement.
And you shouldn't be dealing with it at all. Hobbies are for after you finish the rest of what you have to do. So the XBox/PS3/Wii U/PC games/car projects/romantic interests/whatever else go away until after you re-order your JOB, that is, going to school and studying.
I've never tried to do 110%, but I'd always get by with good results, and now when I need to change the most, I can't.
I did the exact same thing at Georgia Tech. And it took me almost getting expelled for low academic achievement to turn around (I had a GPA one semester of 0.75). I did graduate with a 2.56, but because I knew someone in the company I've worked at since graduation, I've gotten a job there and managed to become the knowledge repository for all things technical and esoteric.
It can be done. But sitting on Oppo and whining about it will not change it. Now go send an email to the TA, and make a time to start talking to them about these things, and take an Oppo break. We'll all be here when you come back.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 10:15 |
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Hey man, as a senior that went through a lot of what you described, all I can say is do work. Don't feel down because you think your falling behind, just do your work. Do the best you can, don't pay attention to what your peers are achieving, just do you. Get above a 3.0, continue to love cars the way you do, and treat school days like you would a real job; working.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 11:12 |
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Too hard. :(
![]() 10/05/2014 at 11:17 |
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Seriously, I related almost scarily to pretty much everything you said about thinking about cars, not being good at math, and being distracted. Try your hardest, don't give up and always think about the light at the end of the tunnel. (Shitloads of cars)
I'm actually thinking about going back for an English major in the future, Fuck math :)
![]() 10/05/2014 at 11:29 |
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Determinants and Some quadratics. :(
![]() 10/05/2014 at 12:17 |
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Take this from someone who graduated top of his class in Mechanical Engineering and taught thermodynamics at a semi-respectable school for a few years. People don't care about marks when you get out of school, they care that you passed and have the degree. A lot of the best technical engineers I knew in school, and taught, were C students.
That being said - math is critical to some subjects (advanced fluids, advanced dynamics, and controls lean on it heavily). You need to get through calc this year if you can, and you may want to take some summer classes to catch up if you start knocking them out. Third year will be trouble without Calc.
I always told my students they should expect to spend 2 hrs per hour of lecture on their own learning the material and completing homework. An engineering degree is a huge investment, and yes it sucks to see your friends having fun while you're working, but the payoff comes later. As one of the other commenters said you have to treat this like a job. A salaried one at a startup. One where you're expected to put in 60-100+ hours a week. Set aside some time for fun everyday and take Friday night/Saturday off if it won't screw up your week, but you need to focus on schoolwork. I don't regret working hard in college, but I do regret wasting what little free time I had not doing awesome stuff. While we appreciate it, the time you spend on Oppo is probably better spent offline.
As other commenters have mentioned take advantage of all resources that are available. Schedule time with the prof/TA as often as they will tolerate you. If there's free tutoring go. Start homework assignments when you get them, and read up on topics before lecture.
The Engineering Tech advice is good too. These programs tend to be cheaper, more application focused, easier to get a job out of, and some even have a path to a full degree where most of the credits carry over. Look around - you might be surprised. And as others have mentioned, school is sometimes way easier to deal with when you've worked a real job for a few years.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 13:02 |
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The light, it's just too far away it seems.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 13:09 |
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Don't give up K-Roll :) Just thing about all the things that you can do with that diploma. I don't condone it, but could you change your major? That would cost a lot though.
If I was experienced in that kind of math, I'd totally help you out but sadly I'm not.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 13:17 |
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I don't know what I could possibly change it to..
![]() 10/05/2014 at 13:28 |
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I'm sorry man, I really am.
That's one of the reasons why I only have an associates degree, Trust me I'm not happy at all with it. I'm feel like I'm going nowhere and life, and don't exactly have the greatest job in the world and have made some shitty financial decisions. (My '08 A4 on a pretty much entry level job.)
Follow through with it, Get as much help as you need, and possibly try to get a tutor of some sort. Don't use other people as your benchmark, you are the only benchmark you need.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 13:55 |
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Pre-cal is hard as shit. Calculus ridiculous easy. That has been my experience.
I find that study groups are amazing for helping me study. I am much more likely to study when I have someone else with me to keep me on task.
Business works in cars too. So does marketing.
Is working in cars that important? I love cars too, but I realized that as long as I can have enough money to have a project car.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 13:59 |
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I like the design and manufacturing part of cars; also testing and driving and such.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 14:11 |
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I understand that a lot of people have given you quite a few suggestions already, but I think I can give you another perspective on college.
You came to college to be a mechE and work on cars and have a career in the automotive world, and you are finding that, at least for the time being, you are struggling with the required courses to get into that field. You feel like you cannot compete with the others in your classes you are ahead of you; and, understandably, it is stressful and depressing. Compounding on those issues, you spend your time dreaming about cars and reading/posting as much as you can about them.
I had similar issues when I went to college for video game design. I grew up in modding communities making maps for all sort of games and decided I wanted to go to college to get a career doing just that. I found that I would rather spend my time playing/designing video games than actually putting forth effort required to get through my classes. I had my own version of family related stress, that I won't get into, and I know the feeling of not wanting to disappoint those that you care about. Over time, I thought I just needed to do the bare minimum to get through classes as the real world puts so little emphasis on how well you do in college. This turned out to not be enough and I found myself faced with two choices:
1) Drop out of college, disappoint my family, not find the job I want in the career I have dreamed about for so long
or 2) Take a different path in college. Find an area that is enjoyable to get a career in but not necessarily the one I was looking for.
I chose the latter and went into physics. I always though physics was badass, but never something I would want to do for the rest of my life. During my transition period between video games and physics, I decided to treat my physics courses as something I NEED to complete to be able to enjoy my free time in the world of video games. I ended up living two lives, one as a student and one as a gamer. Keeping the two separate allowed me to both enjoy myself and succeed in my college courses. And over the next few semester I found that I loved physics far more than video games (maybe it was the raw power of finding a field to work in that is hell bent on understanding the universe). I found that it is possible to love doing more than one thing in life. This process even led me to the world of cars, hence why I am here talking to you now. I spent 6 years completing my undergrad degree. Those wasted years were a little upsetting, but in the end I found something else I love doing (well two somethings if you count cars as well).
What I mean to say in all of this is, do not be afraid to try something else in life. You do not have to give up on cars by any means. If math is not your forte and you have yet to force yourself into doing your coursework regardless of how much car time you lose, try an area you can relate to cars or another area you might find interesting. If you view money as a means to truly satisfying you passion with cars, go into a field like advertising and try to work for a car manufacturer. You might not work on car development, but you will have the time and income to make building and working on cars your passion that just does not provide a pay check. To be honest, my experience with the professional world has shown me that you have no freedom in doing exactly what you would like do on a project. If you decide to be a mechE and work on R&D for cars, a lot of you problems will arise from bosses and accountants asking how this will pad the company's pocket. You will be subject to funding, resources, time to develop and implementation requirements that you will probably hate. So, as I said, do not be afraid to take a different course in life.
If you cannot devote your entire life to your passion, find a way to get by in life that allows you to be free to become inebriated with gasoline fumes; get oil stains on your pants; marvel as a block of steel floats from an engine hoist in front you, preparing to be lowered (or raised) into the machine you poured sweat and blood into; and finding that perfect road that allows you to forget the world you came from all the while listening to the screams and growls of that flat six behind your head.
Even if life may not be perfect, you will always be able to find moments of absolute serenity in the things you are passionate about. Those will be what you look forward to, the things you make your fondest memories of. Good luck with college! Get motivated to finish school as a MechE or try some other major. You will never be without time, however small it may seem, to spend with cars and be happy.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 14:34 |
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I don't want to drop out, but at this point, the only thing I know is cars, I don't know anything else I'd like to do; I've got no time to find anything else to do look into or switch to. Advertising doesn't appeal to me at all. I don't know what else to try out. Nothing seems to click with me.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 18:15 |
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Im a second year M E too and math continues to be my weak point, going as far as having to retake calc 2. Its not an easy major but think of all the cool things we'll get to so when we graduate.
![]() 10/05/2014 at 19:10 |
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I'm still in precalc though... -_-
![]() 10/05/2014 at 19:47 |
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Ah. I somehow never ended up having to do matrices/determinants but I do vaguely remember how to solve quadratics. Give me an example problem and I'll see if I can walk you through solving it.
![]() 10/06/2014 at 01:26 |
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What the daily hoon said. Freshman year I had terrible motivation and did shitty. Solution: I went to library made a goal not doing anything but study __ for the next 5 hours. It wasn't an overnight turnaround and you must always keep at it.
I had a roommate who was perpetually texting and couldn't focus, also doing shitty. I would tell him to do the same. He would come up with excuse after excuse. And never changed till he nearly failed out. Sometimes you just have to suck it and hit the books. Oppo will be here at the end of the semester.