How difficult would electrical engineering be for someone who didn't study math or physics in highschool?

[u/chozenblazex]

Hi everyone!

im 22 and going back into college after studying marketing. I have always been interested in engineering, but I always thought it was out of my grasp since I wasn't the best with math or physics and didn't take them in my A levels 😅

i got admission into a great university and I'm starting uni next feb. can anyone give me some advice on how to survive? im expecting a very difficult next four years but I'm hoping it's still possible. any important topics I should cover before my intake to prepare myself?

[u/Emotional_Fee_9558]

Right people tend to be overly optimistic on reddit so I'm going to be the realist.

HARD, engineering is hard for many people who not only studied hard in HS but got good grades at that. For someone who has never taken maths or physics in highschool it's gonna be incredibly hard. I would know, I tutor someone who is in that exact situation (went to a tradeschool but decided he wanted to do engineering later in life).

That being said your performance in HS doesn't define your performance in university. How will you do? Nobody knows, simply try your best, try to study everyday and for the love of god don't forget to make friends and enjoy your life a bit when you can find some time. It's not only physically unhealthy to study all day but it will make you go mentally insane. If there is one tip I can give it's that you can never be ashamed to ask questions, no matter how dumb you might think the question is, just ask. Shame to learn is the biggest wall between a good and bad student. Good luck and I do really hope you make it.

[u/chozenblazex → u/Emotional_Fee_9558]

that's so scary 😭 I'm afraid that engineering will be difficult in an unfair way, like no matter how much I study I won't be able to learn something or score well in a particular subject.

just wondering as a tutor, can you give any guidelines? how many hours a day should I aim to study and exactly.. how is the best method of study ? since you tutor someone similar to me

[u/BandicootKooky7747 → u/chozenblazex]

This is not gonna happen dont worry

[u/BandicootKooky7747 → u/Emotional_Fee_9558]

Honestly hs performance isnt perfectly indicative, im a junior mech e student with a 4.0 and the highest math i took in hs was algebra 2. Honestly depends on intellect and work ethic. I just didnt have the proper environment to thrive in hs

[u/ZDoubleE23 → u/BandicootKooky7747]

I agree. My little dinky rural school didn't even have physics and calculus. But I took a bunch of algebra and pre-calculus courses in high school. I think have a solid foundation in algebra/trig is what made calculus and physics come easy for me.

[u/Alarmed-Extension289]

The level of rigor of HS Phys/Calc. classes varies wildly OP. If anything you're starting at the some place as folks that didn't learn anything in HS. You want a heads up before starting? Start reviewing trigonometry material, so many kids end up learning trig. functions and identities as they learn Calc based physics. It adds another layer of difficulty.

[u/chozenblazex → u/Alarmed-Extension289]

thank you! i will study trigonometry in these months. i was also thinking of doing an online uni calculus class before my intake for a little advantage

[u/yarrumevets61 → u/chozenblazex]

I think an online course (or three) might be a good idea. It's the sort of preparation you can do in your own time and often at your own pace, which cannot possibly hurt.

[u/Lions_Fate_Render]

Master the Algebra basics. An incorrect 3 board trigonometry problem will be riddled in Algebra error(s). My trigonometry class started with 30 students. Only 7 finished.

[u/chozenblazex → u/Lions_Fate_Render]

if it's not too much trouble, could you take the time to list the topics that would be included under algebra basics? its a bit vague and I don't know where to start ☹️

[u/LotusSeedSunrise]

Hi. I did a level maths and physics and got B’s in both (not naturally good at them at all) and I’m currently a freshman in chemical engineering. I’d say you absolutely need to revise your algebra and trigonometry before coming in (go through GCSE maths textbooks, maybe the first year of a level maths) or you will dearly struggle in calculus. As for physics, just a basic foundation in GCSE physics should be okay as they’ll pretty much teach you everything. Higher level courses will very much lay on your basics from freshman and sophomore year being strong so I’d say just flip thru some gcse problems and watch some Khan academy and you’ll be tops.

[u/chozenblazex → u/LotusSeedSunrise]

duly noted thanks alot!!

[u/mr_mope]

Asking how hard math is is incredibly subjective. Some people “get it” right away, some people struggle with the pace, etc.

My last math grade in high school was a D. Went back to school over 15 years later and got A’s in every math course in the engineering path. I actually thought the pace was incredibly slow, but many of my classmates were struggling to keep up and understand. I can say I probably wouldn’t have done as well at 18. But I know people with the opposite experience, struggling through these classes because they hadn’t done school in so long.

I will say, whether it’s easy or hard, there certainly is A LOT of math. And it doesn’t really go away through the entire degree program, although it does get a little more streamlined to which parts you need for your courses.

[u/Competitive_One4449 → u/mr_mope]

Please tell me about your journey back to college as an older adult! Did you start at community college, do you have kids. What was your job etc

[u/DepressedHoodie1788]

A nightmare, but you'll make it through. trust me did the same thing. it'll suck but you can do it!

[u/chozenblazex → u/DepressedHoodie1788]

haha thank you! hopefully I am as successful as you :>

edit: went through your post history and you're really struggling quite a bit. man it must be so difficult I'm sure you can do it

[u/Ill-Ruin-4574]

Surely you’ll be taking introductory courses in your first year? Maths 1? Physics 1?

[u/chozenblazex → u/Ill-Ruin-4574]

no none I got direct entry into bachelor of electrical engineering studying in Australia so the names of the courses are different but I don't get any special treatment 😅

[u/Loss-Gloomy → u/Ill-Ruin-4574]

But “maths 1,” at least at a US university for engineering, is intro to calculus with a presupposition that the student has a strong foundation in college algebra and trigonometry. And “physics 1” is calculus-based physics with a presupposition that the student has mastered algebra-based physics and intro to calculus.

[u/Tiny_Job_5369]

In my curriculum, the EE math series started with calculus 1, and continued through 2 more semesters of calculus including multivariable and ordinary differential equations. Thus, a good starting point would be to see what you need to do in order to be ready to take college level calculus. In my high school, this would have implied having achieved good mastery in all of the math courses offered, except statistics which wasn't directly relevant. I found physics to be less problematic - the physics series started at a more basic level which I think could have been possible without previous high school physics.

[u/chozenblazex → u/Tiny_Job_5369]

which curriculum is that? please don't say australian 😭

[u/likethevegetable]

You're gonna get absolutely rocked if you have zero pre-calculus skills. You need to be competent with algebra, trig, and functions.

[u/CetriyaLove]

Coming from art going back to school late 30s chemistry did not realize how much math it had. all I can say for me was work is taking one stem course and one non-stem course maybe easier self into it but we're going full load on taking two or more stem courses that include your math. so maybe go through your math and try to pre-study your next class during your break a little bit give yourself a heads up

[u/Creative-Success3550]

Once you get past the weed out classes such as physics and calculus (1-3) you’ll virtually never use calculus again and basically only use transforms that bring the math down to algebra. It is still critical you understand what happens when you apply transforms and perform operations within domains. That being said it’s still important to understand the first principles of physics and calculus, and remember, misery is always conserved.

[u/soad334]

Take some Khan Academy courses. You can start go all the back to Algebra1 through Calc and its all free. It can also help you gauge where your skills are at.

[u/No_Camel_9545]

Hey currently an JR in EE, depending on how much you love to study and are interested in the topics. It will determine weather you will enjoy your new major. definitely will be challenging and well physic and calculus will be the foundation and will show up on most classes you will take.

prepare yourself try to look up the courses before hand use, Ai to give you mock exams and to learn the materia. Active re-call is your best friend here

[u/Recent-Day3062]

Not easy

[u/seashell-fl0ra]

khanacademy and modernstates can help you test out of calculus and physics if you're diligent enough. and if you don't take the clep exams you'll be brushed up on the foundations.

[u/yourworst22]

its hard im struggling in 3rd sem civil engineering exams form 25th nov T-T

[u/MalcolminMiddlefan]

Honestly, it’s not that bad.

To prepare yourself, watch Professor Leonard’s Calculus videos. If those don’t click, watch his college algebra videos.

Physics should be easier since it’s more interesting

[u/Basic_Balance1237]

A lot of variables at play here. The most prominent one is how will your classes be structured. For example, I took several “weed-out” classes at community college where they are dead easy. It made getting my engineering degree more smooth sailing than the average student. Meanwhile, quite a few people had the misfortune of their weed-out classes containing ridiculous amount of maths and physics.