First Year Engineering Major: Why Do We Stick with Such a Challenging Major?

As a freshman, it is difficult to watch all your friends enjoying the care-free college lifestyle. I am stuck in my dorm room working on yet another homework assignment while trying to fit in a research paper. Yes, I am a first year engineering major and it is anything but glorious.

Most people go into college expecting to have fun and expand their social life. Whether it be for the fine arts and culture or the abundance of parties, an engineering major seems like quite a downer. There is at first an immense load of homework usually consisting of new assignments to be done every night. Quickly, studying and time management become necessary and staying out late on a school night becomes a poor choice.

So, why do we choose to stick with an engineering major given the immediate drawbacks? We undoubtedly have a substantial load compared to of our other friends who are not involved in the engineering department. We are boring during the week, and (gasp) sometimes stay in during the weekend to finish homework. But, after some contemplation and experiential learning, I have my mind on a biomedical engineering degree and I hope that I can help at least provide a different or helpful perspective on continuing with this difficult major.

First, I immediately became involved in biomedical engineering. I obtained an undergraduate research experience that has been immensely rewarding. Though this may not always be possible to do your first year because of the necessity of some technical knowledge, it is highly encouraged. Undergraduate research not only is excellent for a resume and moving on to a graduate degree, but it helps decide if you are in the right major. This work can help spark your interest in engineering and gives you a light at the end of the tunnel. Knowing all your hard schoolwork will pay off, going to class and doing homework seem just a little bit less intimidating.