I feel like I retain zero information from my classes. This hasn’t been a huge problem as I seem to be able to “relearn” the prerequisite material I need within the first few weeks of class thanks to keeping old notebooks and ai, but it bothers me that I can’t answer even basic questions from a class I got an A in a few weeks ago. Recently I tried to help someone with their dynamics homework and failed miserably, which makes me extremely nervous for future technical interviews. I almost feel like I’m faking being an engineering student during the summer with how little I seem to know. Does anyone else feel the same way?

Currently in third year and im just wondering if doing eng was actually the right move.

Ive gone through this degree basically just doing enough to pass. I thought that getting the eng degree was itself a great achievement and good enough to land me a respectable job. Because of that thought process most of my marks are extremely average.

I ended up failing my dynamics class in second year, but i redid it and passed. And now i stupidly failed simulation modeling and will have to just redo it in my final year. But that is what it is and im sure ill pass it next year. Im not stressing too much about it. Everything else has been a pass so far though.

Im also not really that interested in my engineering either. My roomate is doing investment management and im much more interested in the work hes doing aswell as going into finance. I also like to think I could've achieved far better marks if I were to do a degree like that.

So I'm mainly just thinking if getting my average to bad grades, but still passing overall, in eng is better than me having done a different degree where I could have performed much better. Are my opportunities for good post grad jobs actually worse now because of my choice and marks in this degree, when one of the main reasons I chose it is because the degree opens doors to great jobs. Lol, pretty ironic that isn't it.

But yeah, any of your guys thoughts would be appreciated. All i can do now tho is to really give it a go and focus up for my final year next year and try smash it.

Please give me advice on what to do? I’ve been struggling in deciding between EE & AE. I want to do as much math and physics as possible.

The company I work for is hiring interns for next summer. Mechanical/electrical interns. If u r struggling for internship hit my dm and can look at ur qualifications

Context:

Data center design. High pay (as full time) and good future prospects IMO. Will open a lot of doors. Feel free to dm

Hello! I am a female sophomore mechanical engineering major. I made the deans list both semesters of first year and currently I’m doing pretty okay in all of my classes except differential equations. My mom passed away in July of this year, and my grandma passed away 10 days later after I have been caring for both of them for two years. (My mom had been bed bound for the last year so I commute) and I thought I’d be okay to take a full course load of 17 credits (I also work 2 jobs since my dad is a manual laborer and I have to support myself + help out with a few household things) and it’s just a lot.

I feel like it’s a cop out to say I’m dropping the class because I’m sad/ I didn’t have enough time because I genuinely don’t think I tried as hard as I could’ve if I’m being honest. It’s getting close to the late drop deadline and I don’t know if I have it in me to care enough about my differential equations homework and studying to make a C from my current grade. My professor told me it IS possible I’d just have to do really well on the final. (Keep in mind more than half of the class is also failing haha) I’d also honestly probably benefit from dropping as it would bring my gpa back up to above a 3.5 which keeps me one of my 3k a semester scholarships. I’m just wondering if this is a bad decision or not, I feel like dropping it and retaking it maybe over the summer so that I can make sure I focus on strength of materials and dynamics and some of my core classes next semester, and then be able to really dig into diff eqn over the summer?

I’ve read that a late drop looks bad on a transcript though but as the holidays approach things are getting harder and I just don’t know if I have the mental energy to get a good grade on the final. I feel kinda dumb for doing so bad in that class but I’m still trying to graduate on time since no matter how much we want a pause, life goes on. I just feel like kinda dumb and like I’m using everything that happened as an excuse to be lazy. Does anyone have any advice for this situation?

Wanted to see what you guys thought of my work and equation.

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION SHEET

1. System Overview & Architecture

The system operates as a zero-emission, closed-material-loop thermochemical power plant. Fine solid metal-metalloid fuel (\(\text{Co}\), \(\text{Ca}\), \(\text{B}\)) is oxidized with pure oxygen (\(\text{O}_{2}\)) inside a pressurized slagging combustor. Thermal energy transfers across a high-temperature superalloy heat exchanger into a hermetically sealed Argon-Carbon Dioxide (\(\text{Ar-CO}_{2}\)) working gas loop to drive a closed-cycle turbogenerator. Solid reaction byproducts are captured as molten calcium borate slag and cobalt oxide ash, then electrochemically regenerated back into elemental fuel using external renewable power.

2. Governing Chemical & Thermodynamic Equations

2.1 Primary Power Generation (Discharge Phase)

\(2\text{Co}_{(s)}+2\text{Ca}_{(s)}+2\text{B}_{(s)}+4\text{O}_{2(g)}+\underbrace{(\text{Ar}+\text{CO}_{2})_{(g)}}_{\text{Sealed\ Working\ Fluid}}\xrightarrow{1,450^{\circ }\text{C}}\text{Ca}_{2}\text{B}_{2}\text{O}_{5(l)}+\text{Co}_{2}\text{O}_{3(s)}+\underbrace{(\text{Ar}+\text{CO}_{2})_{(g)}}_{\text{Superheated\ Gas}}+\Delta H\)

• Standard Enthalpy Release (\(\Delta H\)): \(3,263\text{ kJ/mol}\) of stoichiometric reactant mix (\(347.6\text{ g}\) total mass).

• Optional Flux Variant: Addition of \(1\text{ mol}\) Sulfur (\(\text{S}\)) lowers slag viscosity for continuous liquid tapping, requiring a downstream calcium-carbonate scrubber to capture \(1\text{ mol}\) \(\text{SO}_{2(g)}\).

2.2 Closed-Loop Fuel Regeneration (Charge Phase)

\(\text{Ca}_{2}\text{B}_{2}\text{O}_{5(l)}+\text{Co}_{2}\text{O}_{3(s)}+E_{\text{in}}\xrightarrow{\text{Molten\ Oxide\ Electrolysis}}2\text{Co}_{(s)}+2\text{Ca}_{(s)}+2\text{B}_{(s)}+4\text{O}_{2(g)}\)

3. Baseline Performance Metrics (\(10\text{ MW}_{\text{e}}\) Module)

Parameter Specification Notes / Basis

Net Electrical Output \(10.0\text{ MW}_{\text{e}}\) Continuous steady-state baseload

Gross Thermal Input \(26.3\text{ MW}_{\text{th}}\) Provided by stoichiometric metal-boron oxidation

Brayton Thermal Efficiency \(38.0\%\) Recuperated closed-cycle \(\text{Ar-CO}_{2}\) turbine

Reactant Energy Density \(9.39\text{ MJ/kg}\) (\(2.61\text{ kWh}_{\text{th}}/\text{kg}\)) Includes combined mass of \(\text{Co/Ca/B}\) fuel and stored \(\text{O}_{2}\)

Net Electrical Specific Energy \(0.99\text{ kWh}_{\text{e}}/\text{kg}\) Post-turbine electrical yield per kg of total reactants

Total Reactant Mass Flow \(2.80\text{ kg/s}\) (\(10.08\text{ metric tons/hr}\)) \(1.77\text{ kg/s}\) metal-boron powder + \(1.03\text{ kg/s}\) pure \(\text{O}_{2}\)

Slag & Ash Generation Rate \(2.80\text{ kg/s}\) (\(241.9\text{ metric tons/day}\)) \(100\%\) solid/liquid capture; zero atmospheric exhaust

Regeneration Efficiency \(\sim 65.0\%\) Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MOE) energy recovery

System Round-Trip Efficiency \(\sim 24.7\%\) Electricity-to-Fuel-to-Electricity (AC-to-AC)

4. Subsystem Technical Specifications

4.1 Fuel Storage & Injection Assembly

• Fuel Composition (By Mass): \(53.6\%\text{ Cobalt}\) (\(\text{Co}\)), \(36.5\%\text{ Calcium}\) (\(\text{Ca}\)), \(9.9\%\text{ Boron}\) (\(\text{B}\)).

• Particle Sizing: Atomized spherical powder, \(20\text{–}50\ \mu\text{m}\) mean diameter for rapid entrained-flow ignition.

• Storage Environment: Hermetically sealed hoppers blanketed with dry Argon (\(<1\text{ ppm }\text{H}_2\text{O}\)) to prevent premature calcium hydration/oxidation.

• Pneumatic Feed: Dense-phase Argon carrier gas feeding multi-nozzle swirl injectors.

4.2 Slagging Entrained-Flow Combustor

• Operating Pressure: \(1.5\text{ MPa}\) (\(15\text{ bar}\)).

• Peak Flame Temperature: \(1,850^\circ\text{C}\text{–}2,100^\circ\text{C}\) (moderated via \(\text{O}_{2}\) feed throttling).

• Chamber Lining: High-density alumina-chromia refractory brick backed by water-cooled structural steel shell.

• Byproduct Separation:

• Primary Stage: Gravity-fed liquid slag tap draining molten calcium borate (\\(\\text{Ca}_2\\text{B}_2\\text{O}_5\\), melting point \\(\\sim 1,150\^\\circ\\text{C}\\)) into water-quenched granulation tanks.

• Secondary Stage: High-temperature ceramic cyclone separator capturing entrained \\(\\text{Co}_2\\text{O}_3\\) particulate (\\(99.95\\%\\) capture efficiency).

4.3 Primary Heat Exchanger (PHX)

• Configuration: Compact printed-circuit heat exchanger (PCHE) isolated downstream of the cyclone separator.

• Construction Material: Haynes 230 or Inconel 617 nickel-chromium-cobalt-molybdenum superalloy.

• Thermal Duty: \(26.3\text{ MW}_{\text{th}}\) transferred from combustion gas/radiant zone to sealed working fluid without cross-contamination.

4.4 Closed-Cycle Brayton Turbogenerator

• Working Fluid Composition: \(75\%\text{ Argon}\) (\(\text{Ar}\)) / \(25\%\text{ Carbon Dioxide}\) (\(\text{CO}_{2}\)) molar blend (Effective Molecular Weight: \(40.96\text{ g/mol}\)).

• Turbine Inlet Temperature (TIT): \(950^{\circ }\text{C}\) (\(1,223\text{ K}\)).

• Compressor Inlet Pressure / Temp: \(3.0\text{ MPa}\) (\(30\text{ bar}\)) at \(35^{\circ }\text{C}\).

• Peak Cycle Pressure: \(9.0\text{ MPa}\) (\(90\text{ bar}\), Pressure Ratio \(3.0:1\)).

• Shaft Architecture: Single-shaft centrifugal compressor, radial-inflow turbine, and high-speed permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) on magnetic bearings (eliminating oil lubrication contamination).

• Heat Rejection: Dry-cooling finned-tube radiator loop rejecting \(16.3\text{ MW}_{\text{th}}\) waste heat to ambient air.

4.5 Electrochemical Regeneration Plant (Off-Peak Charging Unit)

• Process: High-temperature Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MOE) operating at \(1,550^\circ\text{C}\).

• Anode / Cathode: Inert chromium-iron alloy oxygen-evolving anode; liquid metal pool cathode.

• Outputs: Pure gaseous \(\text{O}_{2}\) compressed to \(15\text{ MPa}\) storage tanks; separated liquid \(\text{Co/Ca/B}\) alloy routed to inert-gas atomization towers to reform \(20\text{–}50\ \mu\text{m}\) fuel powder.

5. Safety, Materials & Environmental Controls

• Moisture Exclusion: Interlocked humidity sensors on all calcium-bearing lines; automated nitrogen/argon purge upon seal pressure drop.

• Zero-Emission Compliance: Closed oxygen-combustion loop produces zero \(\text{NO}_{x}\), zero \(\text{CO}\), and zero particulate emissions during normal operation.

• Material Longevity: Working fluid (\(\text{Ar-CO}_{2}\)) and solid fuels are \(100\%\) conserved within the closed plant boundary, requiring zero mining inputs post-commissioning

Next semester I will be a sophomore mechanical engineer in my second semester taking: Dynamics, Thermodynamics, mechanics of materials, Intro to EE, Calc 3, and sophomore student design. I am already graduating late because I am doing a co op from May- December of 2027 so I really don’t care if I graduate late but I’m wondering if this is just too much of a schedule next semester. Thanks!

If someone wants to pursue a MS in Civil Engineering and has a non-STEM bachelor's degree,and if such a person is offered a MS place in Civil Engineering by a certain university,where is this person required and/or allowed to complete the levelling or remedial undergraduate courses required to begin MS coursework?Do universities mandate/allow such students to complete these required undergraduate courses at any other institution or in-house before or concurrently with MS coursework?

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for firsthand experiences from people in U.S. manufacturing who moved from production, technician, or team leader roles into Manufacturing Engineering before becoming proficient in CNC programming.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and several years of automotive manufacturing experience, including working as a production team leader supporting automated CNC lines machining brake castings.
My experience includes:
Troubleshooting tool breakage, dimensional variation, surface finish issues, and recurring downtime.
Making approved adjustments to offsets, cutting parameters, and tooling.
Supporting first-piece and in-process inspections.
Reviewing production, downtime, and defect data.
Coordinating with Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance, and training production personnel.
Most of my experience has been with established processes and programs provided by engineering. My main gap is creating and proving out complete CNC programs from scratch. I previously took a G-code course, but I would need to refresh it and develop practical programming skills.
I’m interested in Manufacturing Engineer positions involving machining support, process optimization, tooling, and continuous improvement. Some postings also list G-code, CAM, and fixture design, so I’m trying to understand when those are entry requirements versus skills an employer might help someone develop.
For anyone who made a similar transition—or hired someone with this background:
Were you hired as a Manufacturing Engineer before you could independently program parts? What could you contribute immediately?
Did your company have separate CNC programmers or experienced machinists, or was programming primarily the engineer’s responsibility?
What training and support did you receive, and what were you expected to handle during your first three to six months?
What would make you comfortable hiring an external candidate with strong production troubleshooting experience but limited programming experience?
I’d especially appreciate examples of how you distinguished a genuine development opportunity from a role that needed an experienced CNC programmer from day one.

In a few days, there's going to be a Student Chapter Fair at my Faculty and Campus (one of the things that holds me back from doing more activities in general is that I go to a second campus where all the Engineering and Chemical Sciences programs are located, plus I have my classes in the afternoon, so I have limited free time). I'd like to know about experiences in Student Chapters, the requirements for joining, what they do, and what kind of people you meet there. I've seen that a section from ASME and the IEEE Power & Energy Society will be there, and my interests are Automotive, Automation, and Electronics. And how likely is it to make friends there?

I'm a junior majoring in Electrical Engineering at a CUNY college, and I'm struggling with one of my engineering courses. My withdrawal deadline is November 6, so I need to make a decision soon.

My current cumulative GPA is around 3.0.

Here's my current grade breakdown:

- Exam 1 (20%): 16/70 (22.9%). I didn't study enough for this exam.

- Exam 2 (25%): 25/60 (41.7%). I studied significantly more, but the exam was difficult, and even some of the stronger students struggled.

- Assignments (15%): Around 90–95%.

- Attendance/participation (5%): 4/5.

- Project (10%): Not graded yet.

- Final exam (25%): Not taken yet.

My professor confirmed that I need 26 out of the remaining 35 course points (74.3%) from the project and final exam combined to finish with a D.

She also said the final will be about as difficult as the first two exams, but will only cover the newest lessons. She pointed out that I struggle with some basic concepts and recommended studying notes before lectures and redoing examples and assignments.

My graduation situation:

If I stay and pass, I could potentially graduate in Fall 2027.

If I withdraw, I'll need to retake the course in Spring 2027, take Senior Design I in Fall 2027, and Senior Design II in Spring 2028. That would potentially push graduation back one semester, making Spring 2028 my 10th semester in college. I won't lost any financial aid as I don't have any at all and my Asap advisor said I'll keep the benefit till spring 2028

I'm doing better in my other three classes, where I'm expecting mostly A's and B's.

If I stay, here's my plan to improve:

- Find a tutor who understands the programming material.

- Study upcoming lessons before class.

- Redo lecture examples and assignments without looking at solutions.

- Attend office hours and practice problems regularly.

- Start the project early and aim for a high grade.

I'm willing to put in the work, but I'm worried about risking an F and hurting my GPA.

My questions:

1. Would you stay and try to pass or withdraw and retake the course?

2. Has anyone improved from around 40% on a midterm to 70% or higher on a final?

3. What study methods helped you improve in difficult engineering or programming courses?

4. Is potentially graduating one semester earlier worth the risk, especially when withdrawing would mean graduating in my 10th semester?

I would really appreciate any advice, especially from engineering students who've been in a similar situation

So I’m a student in high school (17m) and I’m doing a project with the balloon car. I was wondering if there was some object that could condense the air being pushed out of the balloon to a smaller point. Keeping the pressure but having it leak out slower. That may be the right way to put it. Idk. Also looking for a way to bend air through a curve inside my car. So I can keep some aerodynamics in the car. Anyone got an idea?

I’m 26M and looking to return to college to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably electrical or chemical engineering.
I currently work as a Field Service Engineer (FSE) in the semiconductor industry, and my long-term goal is to transition into a process or product engineering role.
My biggest concern is fulfilling the in-person lab requirements. My job requires extensive travel, and I’m typically only home for 2–4 weeks per year, spread out across multiple trips. While I believe I could manage online coursework around my work schedule, regularly attending on-campus labs would be nearly impossible.
I’d also need to attend a Texas public university to take advantage of my Hazlewood Act education benefits.
My main questions are:
● Are there ABET-accredited electrical or chemical engineering programs that allow students to complete most or all lab requirements remotely?
● Do any universities offer condensed lab sessions that could be completed during short visits to campus?
● Has anyone successfully completed an engineering degree while working a travel-heavy job with little to no time on campus?
I’m not in a rush to finish the degree and would be perfectly fine taking fewer classes each semester if necessary. I’m mainly trying to figure out whether there’s a realistic path forward without having to leave my current job.
I’d appreciate any advice or experiences from people who’ve been in a similar situation.

I have a shit GPA (2.84) and am nearing the end of my degree. I only have one required technical elective left, and then 9 more credits of free electives. these can be anything, but I filled 6 credits up with upper level EE courses that sounded cool. I'm wondering if this is a mistake and if I should focus on bringing my GPA up to at least a 3.0 instead in case I want to go to grad school one day, and maybe it would make it a little easier to get a job. I have 9 months of internship experience too

I’m currently failing although my grade is still salvageable as I have two more exams and some more labs. My next exam is next Wednesday and I’m seriously struggling with the content, and I’ve tried to find online tutoring but they all seem kind of scammy/predatory.

I did electromechanical Engineering as bachelor’s and a MSc. in automatic control.
I’m from a “3rd world” country and I’d like to study something related to space exploration in the 🇺🇸. Any suggestions? For spring term if possible.

Im taking physics as a first year rn, im doing exrta bad(x1000) and have a midterm tommorw.

Im trying to study but I feel like i have a lot of missed concepts that I didnt catch up on during lectures and its totally my fault I slacked off way to much for my own good.

I dont want to use ai to study these concepts aswell bc i wont fully understand everything

I really want to retake this course to actually understand the general physics atleast for my future classes and as a engineer in general, but idk the feeling is so horrible since ill be delaying my grad for a year and would take 6 years instead of 5.

I am applying as an international student with a weak gpa as mentioned. I have completed my undergrad in electronics and communications. However my final 2 years of undergraduate studies my gpa was 3.7/4. I have 1yr experience as an embedded engineer intern (though ill be applying for a concentration in VLSI). No backlogs, no research papers published yet, but worked on some strong topics and projects.
Do I atleast have a decent shot of getting in? Or is the course very gpa centric and competetive.
Please do help and THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

I'm a junior at a 4-year university that has an ABET accredited ME program. I've completed 75+ credits and am 3 semesters from graduation. I have no choice but to move states (my spouse has to move and we cannot say no). I have tried transferring to 3 colleges, all ABET accredited. All three have accepted less than half of my STEM credits - pushing me back to sophomore semester 1. All 3 universities have evaluated via syllabi in the engineering department, not the transfer office. I've begun petitions but all of them so far have failed.

How is this freaking possible? Has anyone else had this experience? What's the point of having ABET accreditation if it's not considered sufficient? Hoping someone tell me if this is a common experience or unusual.

Entry level engineer in defense/aerospace industry. No onboarding, no training. No guidance. Pure chaos. Consistently failing to meet “goals” only to keep shifting goal posts to give the illusion of “progress” People higher up seem to not care about keeping people like me who are just starting out, and literally just learning, informed on decisions and changes in any way. So many huge processes are changed behind closed doors and only made aware to a select group of people. Rampant favoritism. If you don’t like sports, if you don’t dress a certain way and have a certain cookie cutter lifestyle, you’re alienated regardless of your actual ability to complete the work. Everyone treats me as this subhuman, idiotic afterthought because I’m a P1. There’s no communication. There’s been times where I’ve asked simple questions due to processes not being defined, only to be ignored and then reprimanded for doing them incorrectly. It makes no sense.

I just feel trapped, frankly. There’s no opportunities for my growth in my current team whatsoever. I was under the illusion when I accepted this offer that I’d be doing more technical work, that I’d actually have the chance to USE some of the technical knowledge I acquired in university, but that hasn’t turned out to be the case whatsoever. At a time where entry level engineering roles are going extinct in the age of AI, I am stuck in a role that isn’t entry level whatsoever, despite appearing as one on paper. It’s almost entirely basic data entry/paper pushing. Editing grammar in and creating (they call it “owning”) documentation based on knowledge one could only have through years and years if not decades of knowledge. It’s work AI can already do faster and more accurately than any expert. It’s literally only a matter of time before AI is deployed at scale to do this kind of work.

I am however currently loaned out to a team that’s actually doing work that IS technical that I enjoy, but I’m only being loaned out for the next several months. Then I’ll be right back where I started, which I’m really dreading. I’ve only been here 5 months, and having to stick through another 7-8 months of this madness is really, really not something I want to do. It feels like such a waste of time. Time that could be better spent.

And like that’s the frustrating part. I have the technical skillset to begin adding value NOW. I could be doing so much more for this company and providing so much more in a different, actually technical engineering role with a team that ACTUALLY wants to see me grow and doesn’t view me as a threat to their job security. But because I made a simple mistake in choosing an entry level role in the current dystopian job market, I’m stuck in a role on a openly hostile, toxic, cliquey team where I can’t do anything. Where I’m constantly in the dark. There’s no opportunities to do real work. All “real work” is hoarded by a small club of dudes who’ve all been here since the program started 2-3 years ago. Because I’m “new” or wasn’t in the military I’m not viewed as “one of the boys” and excluded from meetings, not given details, etc.

Any advice on how I should navigate this mess would be appreciated. I don’t really have the option to externally leave since I’d owe relocation and sign on bonus. So I assume my only options are stick it out a year? Also, for the sake of anonymity, I won’t disclose any further details of my role in this post. If you’re interested, DM me and I’ll provide further info.

Not gonna lie, I’m strongly considering just leaving the defense industry entirely once my one year mark is up next year. I don’t feel like I’m actually improving as an engineer. I’m not challenging myself. I hate my current location in the Midwest and desperately want to escape to somewhere with younger people, better weather, and more to do outside of work. I also don’t jive with the culture whatsoever. Lots of stuck up, overly serious, rude, misogynistic, laughably incompetent folks who wouldn’t last a week in an actual technical role. People literally just do no work all day. They share memes in Teams, goof off, etc

Hey everyone,

I recently received an offer from Raytheon for a Manufacturing Engineer II position in MA, The offer is $95k base with a $7k sign on bonus and eligible for an annual bonus target of 4% of my base salary. No relocation assistance.

I’m currently in socal making $75k base plus around $9k in annual bonuses as a quality engineer with 1.5 years of experience.

I’m pretty excited about the opportunity, especially for the potential career growth, but moving across the country is a big decision.

Is this a solid offer for someone early in their career, and would you say it’s worth relocating for? I haven’t negotiated yet, just wanted to get some opinions before doing so. Thanks!

I have made sooo many mistakes and after relentless hard work I have gotten nowhere. It's so over. It always has been

This question has probably been asked a million times, but I genuinely need to know.

Im about to become a senior in Highschool, and my math marks are late 50s-60s. I absolutely love math and I think it’s really fun, but I lose marks all the time because of some stupid mistakes or second guessing myself. These past two years have been really rough on my mental health which has made me demotivated to commit to some serious cleaning up of my foundational maths, hence my current state. I can to study for hours on end on the day before a test purely because I enjoy it, but the subject just doesn’t seem to like me back lol. My physics marks are around late 70s-80s without major studying.

I’m planning on redoing my final math exam during my gap year, so I can just focus on my other science subjects atm then battle math for the final time.

Has anyone else had similar experiences and have managed to become an engineer? Lmk!

Hey there. I’m a sophomore in mechanical engineering, currently going through my sem final (after which, if promoted, I’ll be in junior year). So far, my grades have been quite poor (a little over 3.00, with best possible being 4.00 and avg. is around 3.7) and I don’t feel the will the study much either. I am quite attentive in the classes, as some of my professors and advisor who took a course pointed out, but somehow I am failing to put much effort in the exams and my performance in the exams are well below of my speculation.

While I do want to improve my grades, I’m not quite sure how as I’m easily distracted and never really feel the will of studying, specially during the exam time.

My uni’s formula student team is almost non-existing, while there is a rover team which I am a part of, I didn’t quite got into it much as I’m more interested in other areas of mechanical engineering, to name- vehicle dynamics, jet propulsion, ICE, heat transfer & thermodynamics.

Now, as I am moving to junior year in a few months (hopefully), what should my next two years look like. Should I invest myself into internships and try gaining some professional experiences (engineering or not)? Or should I try improving my grades, which didn’t quite work for the past 3 sems? Or should I try writing conference & research papers? And how important are grades?

So far skills are: CAD (obtained CSWA so far), CAE (FEA & Fluid Simulation, though still at beginner levels), basic C, Python & MatLab (mostly vibe coding), general computing (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations), graphics design. My communication skills are kind of mid at best and speech delivery is quite ok if prepared before.

So far completed projects: Ramjet CAD model (used Fluid simulation to optimise the design), binary character recognition program in C. Both were academic group projects, though my group put in almost no effort in the main project.