By: Nikko Nillas

INTRODUCTION

Engineering school has a reputation for being incredibly difficult. When I first started, I thought surviving it was all about being a natural genius. Now that I have been through it, I know that isn’t true. I have failed exams, but I used good study habits to turn those grades around and finish strong. Engineering is less about your IQ and more about your strategy and discipline.

If I could go back to my first day of university, here are the five practical truths I would tell myself:  

1. Self-Control is the Ultimate Time-Saver

People always ask how I managed the heavy workload. The answer is simple: pure self-control. A lot of students spend four hours at a desk but spend half that time checking their phones or getting distracted. That isn't real studying. I learned early on that one hour of deep, uninterrupted focus with my phone completely out of sight is worth more than a whole afternoon of distracted skimming. Good discipline didn't ruin my social life; it actually bought my free time back.

2. Master the Simple Before the Complex

Whenever I felt completely stuck on a difficult, high-level engineering problem, I noticed a pattern: the issue wasn't the new topic. The issue was that my basic math or physics from previous semesters was rusty.

Engineering concepts build on top of each other like blocks. You cannot understand advanced fluid mechanics if your basic calculus is weak. Before you try to tackle the most complicated problems, look backward and master the fundamentals first.

3. Online Platforms Are Your Extra Professors

University lectures can be tough to follow. Sometimes, a brilliant professor just doesn't know how to explain things in a way that matches how your brain works. I quickly realized that relying only on lectures was a mistake. Instead, I used the internet as my second classroom. If a concept didn't make sense, I went to YouTube or online forums to find creators who used animations or simpler language. Knowing exactly how you learn best is a superpower. Don't let one bad lecture ruin your grade.

4. Failing an Exam Isn't the End

I have failed exams before. The first time it happened, it felt terrible. But I learned that a bad grade is not a permanent defeat it is just feedback. Instead of panicking, I treated my bad grades like a problem that needed fixing. I looked at exactly where I made mistakes, changed my study approach, and used my discipline to work harder. Because of that, I was able to save my grades and finish those classes with high marks. Resilience matters much more than a perfect track record.

5. Focus on One Subject at a Time

I used to jump between subjects whenever I got bored or stuck. This made everything feel scattered. When I started focusing deeply on one subject before moving to another, my understanding improved and I retained more information.

If you are struggling with a class or staring at a bad grade right now, take a deep breath. Trust your study habits, fix your strategy, and keep moving forward. If I could turn my grades around and make it through, you can too.

What is your biggest challenge with studying right now? Let me know in the comments below!