What I Wish I Knew Before Starting FYE
When I was getting ready to start First-Year-Engineering at Purdue University, I was excited but also nervous. I wondered if I was smart enough, if I would make friends, and most importantly if I would choose the right engineering major. Looking back as a sophomore in BME, there are some things I wish someone told me before the first semester.
The beauty of FYE at Purdue University is that you get to explore before committing to a specific major. I had the chance to learn more about all of the engineering disciplines before I chose the one that was right for me. Through classes, projects, conversations with upperclassmen, introductory meetings with different engineering departments, and other experiences, I was able to discover what interested me the most.
One thing I didn’t realize is how many resources Purdue University offers to help you succeed. Whether it’s office hours, tutoring, study groups, or even just classmates willing to compare approaches, there is an entire community ready to support you. For example, I have used Supplemental Instruction, Women in Engineering tutoring, teaching assistants, professors office hours, and many more resources to seek help in my courses.
When I finally started reaching out, everything changed. Not only did I understand the material better, but I also met so many new people. Asking for help made me grow, both academically and personally.
You don’t have to do everything on your own. Engineering is challenging, but Purdue gives you the support system to handle it.
During my sophomore year, I realized that I needed to be more intentional with my time, and making mental to do lists wasn't working for me. One way I stayed on track was making a schedule on the outlook calendar which included all my classes, meetings, office hours, etc. I also made an excel sheet with all of my assignments, quizzes, and exams with their due date. This has helped me tremendously to make sure I don't miss any deadlines and overall relieve any stress I had from trying to remember it all. Instead of constantly wondering if I was forgetting something, I knew exactly what I had to get done for the week.
If there is one habit that I wish I had taken more seriously from day one, it is to plan your time responsibly and stay organized.
However, joining the Women in Engineering Learning Community was the best decision I made. I was able to stay in the Meredith South dorm surrounded by fellow women in engineering. This gave me a huge sense of community and support!
I also enrolled in the Women in Engineering seminar which introduced me to even more women engineers. Building friendships with them made me feel like I wasn't alone and feel that I was capable of doing anything.
If you are worried about fitting in, know that Purdue is the place for you. I have found a community that has given me confidence and strength. Sometimes you just have to take a big leap and try.\
If I could go back and tell my first year self one thing, it would be that you don't have to have everything figured out, and you don't have to do it alone. FYE at Purdue University challenges you but more importantly helps you be confident in yourself. All you have to do is trust the process and trust yourself. Purdue has a community that wants you to succeed.
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| Grace Ready to Take on FYE |
Your Major Choice Isn’t Permanent
Coming into FYE, I thought that I had to know exactly what engineering discipline I wanted to pursue. I thought that I needed to have my whole plan figured out, but that turned out not to be the case.The beauty of FYE at Purdue University is that you get to explore before committing to a specific major. I had the chance to learn more about all of the engineering disciplines before I chose the one that was right for me. Through classes, projects, conversations with upperclassmen, introductory meetings with different engineering departments, and other experiences, I was able to discover what interested me the most.
Those experiences helped me better understand my strengths, goals, and the paths available to reach them. It removed the stress of having everything figured out immediately. Remember that you’re not behind, you're exactly where you are supposed to be.
Looking for Help Is Not a Weakness
At the beginning of my first year, I thought I had to do everything by myself. I didn’t want to ask for help because I felt like I was supposed to already know how to handle it all. Looking back, that mindset only made things harder.One thing I didn’t realize is how many resources Purdue University offers to help you succeed. Whether it’s office hours, tutoring, study groups, or even just classmates willing to compare approaches, there is an entire community ready to support you. For example, I have used Supplemental Instruction, Women in Engineering tutoring, teaching assistants, professors office hours, and many more resources to seek help in my courses.
When I finally started reaching out, everything changed. Not only did I understand the material better, but I also met so many new people. Asking for help made me grow, both academically and personally.
You don’t have to do everything on your own. Engineering is challenging, but Purdue gives you the support system to handle it.
Time Management Is Important
At the beginning of FYE, I knew that the courses were going to be challenging and that I needed to make sure I stayed on track. What I didn't understand was how easy it is to fall behind in class and it is hard to catch back up once you do. FYE courses move fast and keeping up with the workload is so important.During my sophomore year, I realized that I needed to be more intentional with my time, and making mental to do lists wasn't working for me. One way I stayed on track was making a schedule on the outlook calendar which included all my classes, meetings, office hours, etc. I also made an excel sheet with all of my assignments, quizzes, and exams with their due date. This has helped me tremendously to make sure I don't miss any deadlines and overall relieve any stress I had from trying to remember it all. Instead of constantly wondering if I was forgetting something, I knew exactly what I had to get done for the week.
If there is one habit that I wish I had taken more seriously from day one, it is to plan your time responsibly and stay organized.
You Will Find a Community
Before coming to Purdue, I was nervous about whether I would fit in or make friends, knowing that engineering is a predominantly male field. I was worried that I would have to go through it alone and wouldn't find people who understood me.However, joining the Women in Engineering Learning Community was the best decision I made. I was able to stay in the Meredith South dorm surrounded by fellow women in engineering. This gave me a huge sense of community and support!
I also enrolled in the Women in Engineering seminar which introduced me to even more women engineers. Building friendships with them made me feel like I wasn't alone and feel that I was capable of doing anything.
If you are worried about fitting in, know that Purdue is the place for you. I have found a community that has given me confidence and strength. Sometimes you just have to take a big leap and try.\
Grace Fuller, BME
Recruitment Project Committee
Stay Connected With Purdue WiE Program!
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Email: welink@purdue.edu
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