First Year Roadmap For Engineering Student

Hey Champions! Hope you guys are feeling better and have a chill mood right now. After clearing your Board Exams and Entrances, you might be wondering, "Now what's next?". Well, you've come to the right place to get a proper roadmap for tech students pursuing a B.Tech degree in the field of engineering.

Here, we are going to provide you with some tips to enhance your performance, learn new skills, and overcome fear.

When you join college, you will have 2 semesters in each year. In the first year, you will have subjects like Math1, Physics, Applied Chemistry, Engineering Drawing (Pyar se Engineering Graphics), Engineering Mechanics, C-language (programming language), Personality Development/Communication, and Environmental Science (EVS).

Don't be afraid of these subjects. You will be spending around 7-8 hours in college each day, and you may or may not grasp all the concepts depending on the teachers and your efforts. You might find yourself overwhelmed with assignments, vivas, practical write-ups, unit tests, midterms, and final exams. As an engineering student in the first year, you may have heard of the concept of "One Night Study" (it's true), which is cramming before an exam. While you will eventually master this skill, it's quite difficult during the first year. So, don't rely on shortcuts and one-night study sessions.

Make sure to attend classes, but don't solely depend on them. Try to learn from various sources like YouTube, offline classes, toppers' notes, books, solve previous year questions (PYQs) before exams, and most importantly, engage in self-study. If you find it challenging to understand any subject in college, consider joining offline classes or seeking additional help.

Also, pay more attention to subjects like Engineering Graphics/Drawing, Engineering Mechanics, and C-programming. Regardless of whether you are a CS-IT student or from another branch, learn the concepts of the C language thoroughly and try to understand how to solve basic problems like math questions. Undertake a project in this field. If you have enough time, solve problems on platforms like HackerRank and Codechef to develop better logic.

While managing your workload, don't forget to enjoy your time with your new colleagues and friends. Join college clubs and events without hesitation, even if you lack prior knowledge. This is the right place to build connections with your seniors and learn new things. You can develop skills like communication, management, leadership, time management, and much more. So, make good memories while learning with fun concepts and exploring!

One important aspect of engineering is "TIME MANAGEMENT." As you will be attending college for about 7-8 hours, try to find time outside of this fixed duration. Create a timetable, and if it doesn't work for you, update and modify it. Apply the time slot system, where you allocate 1-2 hours to sit and learn.

Additionally, it's crucial to maintain a good academic performance and avoid having backlogs. If you do end up with a backlog, don't worry, as many successful people have overcome similar challenges. However, aim to clear your subjects without any backlogs.

Lastly, here's a pro tip: create a LinkedIn profile to stay in touch with professionals already working in MNCs, startups, and various companies. Connect with your alumni as well. Share your thoughts, achievements, projects, and new skills on your profile.

Hope you guys perform well, achieve your dreams, explore more, and go beyond the horizon!

- VAIBHAV LANJEWAR [VNBL] [Student of Information Technology]