How does anyone get through school?

  • Thread starter Maxwell
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In summary, the conversation revolves around the difficulties of balancing school and work, the effects of napping on studying, and the challenges of early morning classes. Some suggest using caffeine, having a supportive group of friends, and spreading out classes for better results. The conversation also touches on the idea of joining the "5-year club" and the importance of not giving up. There is also a mention of using GHB for better sleep, but it is not recommended as it can be addictive. Overall, the conversation highlights the struggles and coping mechanisms of being a student.
  • #36
Well, how are you doing now Max? Is it easier, harder, or just as hard and maybee your bodie adapted to the lifestyle?

What classes are you taking right now Maxwell?
 
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  • #37
Nothing000 said:
Well, how are you doing now Max? Is it easier, harder, or just as hard and maybee your bodie adapted to the lifestyle?

What classes are you taking right now Maxwell?

Things are MUCH better. I wrote the original post during my sophomore year. Things got much more brutal junior year, but they also got better at the same time because I truly felt like I was getting better at learning. I started to really understand what EE is about -- the manipulation of signals. I found that I was able to read outside sources a lot easier and converse with real engineers and professors a lot better. This made doing homework a lot easier, so I am now able to do more in a lot less time.

Right now I'm taking Digital Communication Systems, VLSI Circuit Design, Low Power Circuit Design, and my Senior Design course.
 
  • #38
Maxwell said:
I wrote the original post during my sophomore year. Things got much more brutal junior year, but they also got better at the same time because I truly felt like I was getting better at learning.

I am in the phase that you were in two years ago. I feel like I am still not very productive when it comes to learning.
 
  • #39
Nothing000 said:
I am in the phase that you were in two years ago. I feel like I am still not very productive when it comes to learning.

It will come to you when you finish taking all of your basic engineering classes (unfortunately!). Once you take your electronics, signals, controls, semiconductor, E&M, etc. classes, you start to notice major connections between all of them. That's when stuff just starts to click, it's a good feeling. Then you'll do well in your engineering electives and more advanced engineering classes.
 
  • #40
Maxwell said:
I started to really understand what EE is about -- the manipulation of signals. I found that I was able to read outside sources a lot easier and converse with real engineers and professors a lot better.

This is my biggest problem right now. I am just starting to work in labs, and I find it very intimidating. Becuase it is just so new to me that I am just now in the earliest stage of actually understanding what EE is about.
 
  • #41
Are you guys serious? 2-3 hours of sleep per night? wow. I am in high school atm looking at getting into an engineering program, but I doubt I could last with 3 hours sleep a night! How long do you sleep on the weekends? How much homework per night can an engineering student expect to work on ( to get good grades )?

PS - This is assuming that you are good to better then average at algebra/calc

Also, don't get me wrong, I know that engineering programs are amazingly competetive. But I was thinking more along the lines of 6 hours or homework/night + maybe 4-5hrs of classes, not 10+ hours of homework! Although if this is the case, I will do it since I am motivated :)
 
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  • #42
Lol, I didn't realize that this thread was 2 yrars old, but answer my question anyway! ^_^
 
  • #43
Some students can't handle 16-18 credit semesters, some have to do a 5-6 year plan rather than a 4, it all depends on what your body/mind can tolerate.

2-3 hours a night seems crazy, i need at least 5 or i'll get sick. Freshman year and 2nd year was pretty easy for me as an engineering student, taking 18 credit semesters working part time and spending 2 hours a day lifting, and dealing with crazy g/f still getting around 6 hours a sleep a night. I must admit weekends weren't very fun though. Now jr. year is a whole different story, I'm taking 12 credits and I can barley do that.
 
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  • #44
Maxwell said:
LOL! I wrote this thread almost 2 years ago. Now I'm a senior and I'll be graduating this year. I completely forgot about this thread. :smile: I guess it all worked out.
The people on the other thread moaning about the teaching quality of their professors should read this.

Good example of how, initially, university can be all too much but that's because it's different from school and you just have to get used to it!
 
  • #45
Maxwell said:
LOL! I wrote this thread almost 2 years ago. Now I'm a senior and I'll be graduating this year. I completely forgot about this thread. :smile: I guess it all worked out.

:smile: This give me hope. Good for you.
 
  • #46
Coming from having severe chronic insomnia, I can recommend Melatonin supplements for sleeping. I now sleep somewhat normally, and actually get sleepy at decent by 10pm!(As opposed to 8AM the next day). I think anything less than 7-8 is stupid, especially regularly. Trust me, sleep deprivation can have damaging effects, and I don't see how anything is worth it. But I suppose it depends on how best you grow-- focus on just one area of your life and burn through it, or slowly grow everywhere. I prefer the latter, and I think it gives you better perspectives on everything. I don't know how the female looks came into the topic, but I'd comment that the few females physics majors at my school are very attractive, (but none are blond, lol) but computer science females seem to be another story. And to end my rambling post, I don't know the quote that Nothing000 is looking for, but it reminds me of one: "By running in every direction you get no where."
 
  • #47
JasonRox said:
There is also a quote by Kant (I think) that goes...

Study like you will live forever and live like you will die tomorrow.
That was Ghandhi. But I bet Kant had a similar opinion. The guy never left the town he lived in - ever.
 

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