Guide to first few weeks of University for Engineering Kids (1 Viewer)

[tommykins]

Long-ass title, but pretty short post.

1. Don't be shy. Sit next to strangers in lectures, if you're in your own group or what not - and you see a lone person, maybe try to make friends with that person and incorporate them into your group. They'll be forever grateful.

If you're alone, sit next to anyone and strike a conversation, a simple "hey I'm ____ nice to meet you" will do. Everyone is on edge, so you'll make friends no doubt.

2. Grab a map. If you're lost, don't be afraid to ask questions.

3. Look at your timetable for each week, start buying your textbooks. I will outline what is required (for first year Civil at least) for each course -

MATH1131/MATH1231 - Don't buy the textbook, only the course pack + Maple book. Do not ignore Maple if you're aiming HD.

PHYS1211 - Textbook is essential, as well as the course pack (which I assume is the lab book + homework book). Do your homework, I found lectures useless but homework + textbook was invaluable to my study.

ENGG1000 - Nothing required.

ENGG1811 - Nothing required. For the first few weeks, Ashesh will run you through Excel + Access. Actually attend these lectures because he will show you how to do it literally. So when you hit the labs, all you do is repeat what he did and you'll be sweet for the mid-sem. Once Whale comes in for VBA, you can start jigging.

MATS1101 - If you've done HSC Chem, this will be a breeze and the textbook isn't required. If you haven't done it, consider getting one.

GMAT1110 - Nothing required.

CVEN1300 - Only the statics book is required, the dyanmics if you're that anal since it's preetty much a repeat of PHYS1211 mechanics component. So if you sucked at physics, you might want the dynamics book too (you will be bummed for later years if you need it though)

4. Look at your course outlines. Look for assesment components, due dates, how it all works. Get a diary or some sort of organisation happening and take down all the due dates for your assessments. This will help tremendously.

5.Start doing your homework.Yep, you heard me, you already have homework for math (revision really) and probably for physics too, start doing it. Also don't forget to bring your math textbook to your tutes.

6.Check your zMAIL daily. Do it, forward it to your normal email if you have to, ALL forms fo communication between courses/lecturers to students is via email, make it a habit.


That's all I can think of now. The first few weeks is the most intense, as you get used t o doing everything on your own.

AND FOR YOU FIRST YEAR GIRLS - keep overdressing please, I'm enjoying the cleavage/ass just from today.

 

[henry08]

Nice thread and finishing quote/advice lol.

 

[biopia]

Haha! This is awesome and invaluable advice even though I'm going to be in a different faculty.

Definitely rep worthy.

(Y)

Edit: Damn... I need to spread some rep around. Blah blah blah. Sorry =[

 

[rubookmark]

Haha! This is awesome and invaluable advice even though I'm going to be in a different faculty.

Definitely rep worthy.

(Y)

Edit: Damn... I need to spread some rep around. Blah blah blah. Sorry =[

Same here, why the hell can't rep ppl if their posts are awesome?

Anyway, was for the dressing, I'm sure some ppl will still continue with the low-necks and short shorts. Regardless of the weather.
Am i to conclude u'll be sitting at the back of lecture theatres just to grab a better view?

 

[Omie Jay]

good stuff tommy, +44 for you

GET YOURSELF A MAP, i still use mine.

Friends are easy to make as long as you're not shy. Engg1000 is the perfect way to make friends, since you're put in a group of 7 (iirc), and you're with them for the entire semester.
When i did that subject, we were put into groups (we couldnt choose our own groups), and i just happened to be put in a group with 2 friends from highschool, plus 4 other randoms. I'm pretty good friends with 2 of those randoms now.
So basically, group projects are a good way to get to know ppl.
Also, tutes are small, and you'd most likely be sitting next to the same person throughout the semester, so introduce yourself to the person next to you, and chances are you'll be sitting next to them next week as well.

MMAN1300 students (you'll be doing that in S2 of first year), definitely get the textbooks for statics AND dynamics (the cven version has less dynamics, plus you'll refer to the books in second and third year).

MMAN1130, we were put into our groups in this subject (just like engg1000), but i dunno, apparently you guys can choose your own engg1000 groups, so maybe it's the same with this subject. Anyways, groups of 5, another opportunity to meet new people.
I was stuck with 4 malaysians who barely spoke english that sucked heaps

 

[henry08]

They said in yesterday's lecture for ENGG1000 that you would be randomly put into groups of 8 for whatever project you choose.

 

[tommykins]

Another thing I should add is that during your breaks and what not, if you have nothing to do - FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DO YOUR HOMEWORK/SOME SORT OF WORK.

Socialising here and there is of course necessary, but the LAST thing you want to do is just sit down and do nothing during your breaks. I went into the Roundhouse/Library to do my HW here and there when it was too much of a hassle to meet up with friends, and the time you save later on doing this now is significant. So please, do your homework/any work you have during a break, you will not regret it.

 

[tommykins]

^

I'm on a distinction average so can clarify what he's saying.

 

[Makro]

^

I'm on a distinction average so can clarify what he's saying.

What marks were you getting in high school? Do you think someone that applied themself in high school can still do better at uni?

 

[tommykins]

What marks were you getting in high school? Do you think someone that applied themself in high school can still do better at uni?

I'm assuming you're talking about yr 12 only -

I went pretty average within my selective school bar math. Nothing too fantastic, nothing too bad either. I got 95.65 UAI if you're curious about that too.

And yeah you can of course do better at Uni, I adopted my learning habits from high school where I just did bit by bit whereas my mates crammed it - so whilst I was chilling/playin games/tv, they were studying. It worked both ways, but the only difference was that when I was studying and they were chilling, I had no stress on me.

Oh and another thing for you first years -

DO NOT EVEN THINK OF PLAGIARISING. NO. NO. NO. The programs they use will MAKE SURE YOU GET CAUGHT. Don't TRY IT.Any kind of information you get, write it down, learn how to reference. REFERENCE REFERENCE REFERENCE.

 

[schtrevey]

Wow rep!

 

[kaz1]

Thx Blastus, tommykins and Omie Jay. You guys are fkn awesome.

 

[ColdBuffet]

Hey tommykins, I just want to clarify in your first post, did you mean PHYS1121 OR PHYS1211

 

[wats]

thanks to blastus, Omie Jay and tommykins really appreciated, not looking fowrd to starting content though, it looks as if they rush through it really quick judging by the size of the notes and the time to complete. how did you's find the pace and how did you deal with it? thanks in advance

 

[Rage01]

can someone tell me where to find lecture notes for COMP1911?
it's not on blackboard but i also can't find it through UNSW Computing

btw great thread

 

[tommykins]

Hey tommykins, I just want to clarify in your first post, did you mean PHYS1121 OR PHYS1211

phys1121 sorry, i often get those courses mixed up. PHYSICS 1A in other words.

thanks to blastus, Omie Jay and tommykins really appreciated, not looking fowrd to starting content though, it looks as if they rush through it really quick judging by the size of the notes and the time to complete. how did you's find the pace and how did you deal with it? thanks in advance

i found it normal, pretty simple really.

if you actually sit and think about it, there's actually not that much material to cover. you don't really learn _that_ much, especially if you keep doing homework/tutorials to the point where every question becomes second nature.

 

[cd285]

wats this maple book?

 

[tommykins]

it helps you to do maple

whatever process u need to do, look it up and answers there.

 

[cjtk]

can someone tell me where to find lecture notes for COMP1911?
it's not on blackboard but i also can't find it through UNSW Computing

btw great thread

10s1COMP1911 Redirection Page

remember to attend lab0 this week

 

[M@ster P]

you guys are very helpful thanks