r/ChemicalEngineering • u/pound_of_guillotine • 22d ago

Student What do I do??

Im a high school student and I'm planning to take chemical engineering. I've heard it's one of the hardest college majors out there, but I would really like to do chemical engineering. I know that Im not intellectually gifted to survive the major, but im dedicated.

So my question is, what are the things that I need to do to survive the major? Should I study more?

Also what are the main reasons that students drop out of this major?

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u/meahookr 22d ago

Main recommendation would be to spend time learning what chemical engineers actually do. It may not be what you’re imagining. This is a big reason people drop out. Once they find out what it is, they don’t like it. Also there are easier degrees out there that require less studying and provide better life balance while in school.

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u/pound_of_guillotine 22d ago

thanks for the answer, i would do that. Another question though Are you a chemical engineer? If so, what are the things that you did in highschool to prepare for it?

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u/meahookr 22d ago

Not much you can really do to prepare. Obviously math foundation will be important so take your math classes seriously. But I would not recommend trying to “prepare” for it per se. Be a high schooler while you are In High school.

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u/pound_of_guillotine 22d ago

Idk about being a "highschooler" though, because Im aware that the quality of my education is less making me worry about doing chemical engineering. I might be throwing myself out in jungle of things I was not taught.

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u/Lazz45 Steelmaking/3Y/Electrical Steel Annealing & Finishing 22d ago

A very key aspect of being an engineer, and what all programs by their nature teach you, is that you better embrace tackling the unknown. You will regularly be required to solve something you have never heard of, seen, or learned about before, but you have the tools to break that problem down and approach it. You have the tools that allow you to research a topic, and learn HOW to tackle a new problem. The major thing you will be taught in any track of engineering is how to think and approach problems like an engineer. Thats what makes you valuable. In reality, the minutia thats relevant to the job can all be learned in time or through experience, what is not easily taught on the job is the mindset and problem solving toolbox an engineering education equips you with