Samantha,
In my opinion, learning how to find and where to find information needed to get your work done. Being able to convert or relate aspects of the assignments into real world scenarios.
When it comes to
group study, it depends on your method of learning. As an engineer, there will always be someone to work with or for. However, when you are in school you have to be able to discern between working together and working for others. There will be some students that come prepared and progress is rapid and smooth. There are others that will come unprepared and late. They hinder progress because you end up repeating things they missed from the previous assignments. Having to explain to others is helpful in that you find yourself learning as you explain. However, they can also hinder your progress. Learning to allocate a certain amount of time to the group and when to leave group session is important. So either way you are learning skills essential to your profession.
[Note: There were individuals that would request that we get together to study for mid-terms and finals. I learned quickly after spending hours going over the earliest of material and not being able to go over the more advanced stuff in chapters. I would stay briefly and then head off to study by myself. ]
The PE exam use to require that one pass the FE exam and have a certain number of years of experience prior to taking the PE exam. It is my understanding that it is not necessarily the case these days. I loved working at my own pace, so all I needed was the study material/book. Self-study allowed me to choose desired areas of focus and how long I studied that material. If someone is challenged by planning, then I recommend taking a review class geared towards passing the exam (FE or PE).
I have never taken an online class with a group. I have been part of online seminars and it is different from having everyone in the room.
Is this your first semester as an undergrad or are you in grad school?
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James Williams P.E., M.ASCE
Principal/Owner
POA&M Structural Engineering, PLC
Yorktown, VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-14-2022 11:01 AM
From: Samantha Strauss
Subject: Best ways to learn new material
Hey all, Im just starting out in Engineering school and Ive been tasked with talking to Engineers about what they recommend for being successful in an Engineering program. What your thoughts are on group study and whats the best study skill you learned? This could also pertain to the PE exam, how did you all prep for it? Im in my first semester online and it feels hard to be apart of communities from afar so im glad I found this site!
thanks a million for reading and answering if you feel called.
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Samantha Strauss S.M.ASCE
Wendell MA
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