16 Tips I’d Give Myself Before Studying Engineering

As I’m about to graduate from Mechanical Engineering at the University of Waterloo next month, I looked back at the last 5 years and I realized that there’s a lot that I wish I could tell myself back in 2016…so I decided to share it with you! Here are the tips:

1. Have a portfolio of your work
2. Engineering is so much harder & more stressful when you study alone
3. Never buy textbooks brand new
4. Make cheat sheets for your exams
5. Save your notes
6. Grades don’t matter
7. Travel Abroad
8. Take Photos and Videos of Everything
9. Ignore the Anxiety
10. Everyone in your class is more similar to you than you think
11. Don’t be Competitive or Toxic
12. There’s nothing wrong with skipping lectures
13. It’s totally normal to fall behind in your University Work
14. Use LinkedIn more than you already do
15. Invest your money
16. Learn Everything Online

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ABOUT ME:
My name is Tamer Shaheen and I am a final year engineering student at the University of Waterloo. I like to make videos about university/college, engineering and personal development. Thank you so much for watching!!

[TheXtremexGamr]

Knowing when to skip lectures is huge. My physics III professor was notorious for saying he didn’t teach to test, even though exams were 70% of our grade. After bombing the first exam, I stopped going to class and taught myself through practice problems in the textbook. Was able to kill the last two exams and the final and pulled my first A in a physics class.

[Dariusissocool]

Me and my friends would go to school that first week and scan the whole book in the library as a pdf. Sometimes we sold it for $5

[randallmcgrath]

One of the best "advice to engineering students" kind of video I have ever seen. Point 11 is important, because engineering students are like everyone else. They want to make themselves appear better than they are but in reality many of them are more confused and struggling then they let on. My first roommate spent 5 to 8 hrs a day studying for EE. He had the aptitude and didnt make fun of other majors. Name was Tommy. I do and always will respect him. He graduated in Electrical engineering and yet still found time to workout and play basketball. What a phenomenal student. Never heard him putting down people. In any major.

[abajama]

Started engineering this year and my anxiety is through the roof cause Im falling a bit behind. Thanks for the tips

[GatXAGUNDAM]

This is genuinely good advice, I thought that it would another one of those typical advice videos and when I saw the tips, I am genuinely surprised by how much value you give to the university experience which a lot of engineering students tend to forget when all they see is grades.

[ChabodMasere]

As a 2nd year Electrical and Aerospace Engineering student, the advice given was spot on. Especially with the internship bit. Creating a LinkedIn and getting connected with people in the field will work miracles later down the line.

[ShortLightHandsome]

I am a mechanical engineer with 35 years experience who regularly works with ME students and this is excellent advice! The foreign internship might be a bit of a steep hill to climb, but the advice about focusing on work experience vs good grades is spot on. I have hired many interns and we do pay some attention to GPA, but much more to any hands-on experience (even self-directed projects) that show some aptitude for practical engineering skills.

[jeanwillem]

Got my first exam today in my first year of engineering and it didn’t go very well. I was feeling a bit sad because I studied a lot and was really confident I would do good, but this video made me remember why I chose to study engineering and gave me some good tips. Very good advice!

[oisinmurray]

This has been really helpful, I’m planning on starting my engineering course next year and there’s definitely things on this list I never would’ve thought of. Thanks, keep up the great work!

[lemxnpi]

this was so incredibly helpful! thank you for posting it. it’s nice to hear some points ive heard before but more elaborated. it was really reassuring :)

[denzeld]

this video was mad good, you really got straight to the points and explained everything really well. I was on the edge of switching majors but relating to so much of what you said it changed my opinion and showed me im not alone, Thanks man!

[artinacart]

Already halfway through my third year, and these are all things I had to pick up along the way, usually learning the hard way. Great video!

[jama]

It is so funny that I found out this video.
This is all so true. I am currently on my second year of college, about to transfer to a university and I can relate to almost all of the tips.
I have so many concerns and most of them are covered here.
I really appreciate this video because it is so relatable.
I literally can share a story for each tip you have on the video.
Thank you so much for your amazing videos. Keep it up.

[davidsandy]

Good advice for someone starting out. I have been an engineer for 40 years. My resume would look like a book. You need to tailor your portfolio towards the position you want.

[ernesthudaj]

Great video. My son is taking Mechatronics at Waterloo. Unfortunately is first year just finished and it was all online. He did well but no one in his first year could find a co op due to covid killing most internships. Hopefully next year will be better for him in terms of finding a co-op. I will definitely pass this video on to him

[Chubc]

I wish I had been shown this video back when I was still in college. You share some of the most meaningful things someone could ever be told that you rarely ever hear in other vids, and it doesn't require you to be "smart" to understand the value behind each tip. I'm sure you've saved a lot of nervous freshmen to seniors from an anxiety-inducing first or final year with this. Much respect 🙏🏽

[emantubail]

Amazing tips!
I'm in my first year of engineering, and I will try doing them:)

[emanuelsabaya]

I agree with you completely on skipping class to catch up and everyone falling behind. I do and see that very much as a civil engineer student.

[jessemunoz]

Happy I found this channel now while I am studying Electrical Enginnering. I am only in my second year but I will for sure remember this channel for advice now and in the future. Thanks a lot!

[therealfoodietraveller]

So impressed! I wish my son will watch your video! Very inspiring and encouraging! ✨