Engineering and Greek Life

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by blondebutsmart

Peppy, you said something about the fact that it's not the major, but how you handle it. Well, when I attended my orientation earlier in the summer, they must have mentioned the amount of hours we would spend in class/studying a minimum of five to seven times. I'm not kidding. Yes, I realize I may just be a naive freshman, but it made me somewhat nervous.

I just meant that for some people, even the hardest majors come easy. For others, it's a struggle that takes up all their free time. I was pre-med for my first two years of college (throughout rush, new member period, and being an officer in a colony), which meant I took four courses PLUS two labs each semester. I was busy, busy, busy, but it was a good thing I had sorority activities to go to, because I would have gone NUTS otherwise. I was so tired of conversations involving chemical formulas, the anatomy of a cat, and the human circulatory system. I suspect you will need something to take your mind off of engineering every once in a while, so a sorority would be good for that. It is my belief that college is NOT just about academics.

(and for the record, I dropped pre-med at the end of my soph. year, but it wasn't because I couldn't cut it...it was because the other experiences I had had at college by that point, and the friends I had in other majors, made me realize that I was not meant to be a doctor after all)

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

I just meant that for some people, even the hardest majors come easy. For others, it's a struggle that takes up all their free time.

I agree. I was an engineering major, and the people I saw struggle were the ones who probably shouldn't have chosen engineering. I didn't think my labs and problem sets were tough, but I hated my 100-level GenEds that involved writing papers.

The reason they tell you about the hours is because many engineering students were the best and the brightest in high school. Let me tell you, if you were, college will be a shock. I got by in high school with little to no studying, and could blow off homework assignments as long as I broke the curve on tests. College will NOT be the same, and you will have to study, do assignments, and keep up with your work.

If you've really chosen the right major and both enjoy and excel at engineering, you will be just fine, and it shouldn't destroy your GPA to go Greek.

ETA: Depending on your school and such, you may be able to relax a bit about GPA, as well. I know plenty of people who did quite well for themselves with an engineering degree and a 3.0.

[Hopeful_Bubbles]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

I was pre-med for my first two years of college

Sorry for the hijack, but I was curious about the time issue and other types of majors. I'm in hard-science (Earth Sci specifically) and it seems uncommon to find them in social glos (Other than Alpha Sigma Kappa).

[mccoyred]

I majored in electrical and computer engineering in college; I pledged my sophomore year. I must confess that my grades suffered. Our chapter was very small so a lot of work was demanded of each and every member. Between working and partying, my GPA suffered because I did not have the time management skills that I have now in grad school. Some of it also had to do with my lack of career direction at the time.

So my advice would be to really ensure that you have a top notch time management system in place and everything will be fine. Good luck!

[Obligato]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

I majored in electrical and computer engineering in college; I pledged my sophomore year. I must confess that my grades suffered. Our chapter was very small so a lot of work was demanded of each and every member. Between working and partying, my GPA suffered because I did not have the time management skills that I have now in grad school. Some of it also had to do with my lack of career direction at the time.

So my advice would be to really ensure that you have a top notch time management system in place and everything will be fine. Good luck!

Sounds like my current situation as a fourth year undergrad...

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by Hopeful_Bubbles

Sorry for the hijack, but I was curious about the time issue and other types of majors. I'm in hard-science (Earth Sci specifically) and it seems uncommon to find them in social glos (Other than Alpha Sigma Kappa).

Well, I think that may totally vary from school to school. My University has a strong science department, and since the school is 60% female, that means many women are found in the science majors (among other majors). And since about 30% of the women at the school are greek, you can assume a fair number of the science majors are also in sororities.

You probably also know that traditionally women have not been encouraged to go into science. That has changed a lot in recent years, but I'd guess at most schools men still far outnumber women in the sciences. So it doesn't surprise me that much if you don't find as many science majors in the sororities on your campus.