How to Effectively Study for an Engineering Course

Advances in engineering have created the lifestyle we all know and enjoy on a daily basis. Our electric lighting, iPods, computers and automobiles are all creations of innovative engineers. A course of engineering study is most rewarding, but it can be quite difficult. Success requires learning to study in a different way from other types of courses, along with great dedication and the willingness to work hard.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• A good notebook
• A good pen
• A tape recorder, if possible
• Your notes
• A new notebook
• A good pen
• Your recordings, if made
• Your textbook
• A calculator
• Scratch paper
• Good engineering paper for the final assignment
• Your course notebook
• Your notebook with recopied notes
• A calculator
• Lots of scratch paper
• Your text book
• Your graded homework

During Course Lectures

1. If you have access to an audio recorder, use it. It will help you to pull in additional details that may go by fairly quickly.
2. Write down everything and I mean EVERYTHING the professor writes on the board. It is all meaningful, and it will mean more to you after some time passes for it to sink in.
3. Draw arrows in your notes back to earlier pages and drawings that have an impact on what is currently being presented.
4. If you have questions during the lecture, ask them--or write them down and see if you can answer them yourself.
5. Try to identify what material is being emphasized, as these usually end up being exam questions.

After the Lecture

6. Starting with your fresh notebook, recopy ALL notes neatly so that they are readable before your exam.
7. If you used a recorder, replay it now and see if you can supplement the notes you took with additional information.
8. If example problems were given, work each one on a scratch piece of paper to make sure you understand the steps involved, and the underlying science.
9. If any math is presented that you don't understand, consult resources in the library or ask friends until you do.

Doing Your Homework

10. Do all the reading assigned to you first. Trying to do the homework without doing the reading is like trying to run without learning to walk!
11. Work each example problem in the assigned reading. These are often similar to the homework.
12. Work each homework problem first on scratch paper, check it carefully, then write it out neatly on engineering paper to be handed in.
13. After you are finished, check over your work again carefully.

Studying for Your Exam

14. Reread your recopied notes at least 5 times. Do you have any fresh insights into the material? Add these as notes at the end of the notebook.
15. Review all homework, and rework any problem you missed 5 times. Do you fully understand why you missed it? If not, ask your professor for help.
16. Using your recopied notes and textbook as a guide, make a memorization sheet. Include all formulas, laws and definitions you will have to have on total recall for the exam. Keep this sheet with you at all times, and read it at least 10 times every night before going to bed.
17. Rework all example problems that were part of the assigned reading at least 5 times. Even if you understand it, the repetition will help you build speed, which is crucial to doing well on the exam.

Tips & Warnings

• Show up early and sit in the front. This shows interest, and it can make a difference in your grade if you are on the edge.
• Don't chat with your friends; it is sure that you will miss something.
• Use your neatest handwriting when recopying notes, as they will come in handy before the exam.
• Don't move on until you understand every aspect of the lecture material presented.
• Be sure to write any "tricks" you discover to working the problems down in your notebook where you recopied your notes.
• Don't skip the step of working the example problems, as they will make the homework problems more easily solvable and will save time in the long run.
• If the subject you are studying has a Schaum's outline available, it is worth the investment! Working extra problems will give you an edge.
• Be sure to make time to get adequate sleep the night before your exam. It is important that you remain sharp.
• Only join study groups where there are serious students present. In many study groups, you will be forced to sacrifice valuable time helping those who slacked all quarter to catch up.

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