Study Habits to Pass Engineering Courses

Students always ask for the study habits that’ll improve their performance and grades in problem-based engineering courses. I can totally relate to this question because I used to search for the same thing when I was a student.

I had never been taught how to properly study for these types of courses so I had to do a lot of trial and error.

These are a few of the study habits that worked for me.

Study Tip 1: Reviewing the lecture notes the SAME day I had lecture

Prior to making this change I typically didn’t bother to look at the notes until an assignment was due.

Unsurprisingly, by that time, I couldn’t remember all the details from what was covered in class. This caused me to have to relearn everything from the textbook.

Not the most efficient thing to do especially if the textbook sucked! Take it from me, don’t do this!

Now, once I implemented this change I noticed the notes became much clearer and understandable. I was able to read through what I had written and then recall little details that had been mentioned that I may have missed.

I no longer had to teach myself the material when rushing to complete a homework.

Huge time saver here! Try this – you’ll see what I mean.

Study Tip 2: Rewriting the lecture notes

After I made the change above I added on to it.

Instead of just reading over my notes I started rewriting them…all of them…for every lecture…for every topic.

This was when I really noticed a huge increase in performance. Suddenly, I was able to answer other students’ questions about class and the homework became less of a drag and more interesting.

You might be wondering how that would make such a big improvement.

The key here is that I didn’t just mindlessly rewrite everything.

I actually paid attention to what I was writing. I was writing with the goal of understanding EVERY SINGLE THING I wrote. 

If there was a concept I didn’t get, I figured it out before I moved on to the homework. Sometimes that required the textbook, sometimes it required a visit to the prof’s office hours.

I promise you if you add this one thing to your study routine you will see vast improvement IF you have the goal of writing to understand.

 

Study Tip 3: Homework!!

How many of you wait until the night before to start working problems?

Yeah, I used to do that too. It didn’t work out so well.

The problem with this is that if you get stuck you can’t go ask for help! There just isn’t time. Then once you get stuck, you get frustrated.

Once you’re frustrated you’re really not going to be able to get anything done except for maybe complain about your professor.

Don’t do this to yourself! Start early and use those problem solving skills I told you about. 

Now I know not all faculty give out the assignments days ahead of the due date but most do – take advantage of this!

Get started on the problems the day they are assigned if possible. If you get stuck, get help. 

Go to those office hours – faculty are required to have office hours. Make use of them! A side benefit is getting to know the faculty. A win-win situation here!

Study Tip 4: Work unassigned textbook problems

I know, I know. You don’t have time. Make the time! How much time are you spending staring at your phone or sitting at a gaming computer? Netflix much?

These are all huge time sinks! You can do this stuff after the semester is over, not now. You’ve got work to do, progress to make!

One real way to check your understanding is to work other problems that weren’t assigned. Just pick 1-2 medium-level problems out of the book over similar material and see if you can work those. If so, that’s a good sign. If not, you have work to do.

Instructors assign enough problems to give you a sample of applications for the topics covered. It’s impossible to assign all the problems related to the material. 

Students would go crazy if we did that.  So do it on your own. You start getting those problems right and your confidence will go up – I guarantee it.

I know it’s a lot to do, but…

If you try it a few times I promise you will notice the difference!

And, if you can’t find time for all of these things, at the very least, add #2.  It is the thing that I found the most helpful.

The key is to understand the material, not just figure out how to work a few assigned problems. Happy studying!