Welcome back to ENGR A151! Announcements Please pick an Attendance form and the Project Description handout Starting today you can take the Library Audio tour (has to be taken by October16th) – Go to front desk of the library and ask for Audio Tour AND the question sheet; turn question sheet in at front desk with your name on the top after you took the tour. Make sure you mentioned you are enrolled in ENGR A151.

Chapter 1 Keys to Success in Engineering Study

Anyone who starts off as an engineering major has the ability to graduate in engineering. Strongly Disagree 3% 0% Disagree 9% 1% Neutral 20% 3% Agree 39% 37% Strongly Agree 29% 59% I am certain that I will be able to graduate in engineering.

I tend to procrastinate, putting off the things I need to do. Strongly Disagree 9% Disagree 21% Neutral 25% Agree 35% Strongly Agree 10% If you are struggling with procrastination, read Chapter 5.2 of the textbook.

First things first…

You Can Do It! But,… Poorly prepared students have succeeded Highly qualified students have failed Why?

Be Aware of the Transition

What is Success? Success is the achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted

Goal Setting Goals give you something to measure yourself against Goals give your life direction How can you ever expect to get somewhere if you don’t know where you want to go?

Identifying a clear goal (graduation in engineering!) and developing a strong commitment to that goal are the essential first steps in the process of achieving success. Project: Design your Process for Becoming a “World-Class” Engineering Student To become a successful engineering student is a process!

Strategies for Strengthening Your Commitment Clarifying your goals Learning as much as you can about engineering Prepare a roadmap Don’t let adversity stop you

You must be willing to risk failure You must passionately hate failure Persistence is a necessity, just as is the willingness to acknowledge defeat and move on Learn from Failures From “Nine Commandments for the Entrepreneur”: Fall Down Seven Times, Get Up Eight! Japanese Proverb

No Deposit, No Return Your education represents a significant deposit you are making in yourself Your return-on-investment will be in direct relation to what you put in Effort Return Education

Effort is both Time and Energy Distance = Rate x Time Completing a task (i.e. traveling a distance) requires that you devote energy or mental power (rate) and spend time on the task.

The Good News Your success in the study of engineering is in your control How well you perform depends on your effort Completing a homework requires to devote adequate time and mental power You can choose to do it or choose not to do it

These are attitudes  I lack confidence in my ability to succeed in engineering study.  I have a tendency to sabotage my success.  I tend to blame others for my failures.  I don’t see any need to change myself or to grow or develop.  I’m generally unwilling to seek help from others.  I tend to procrastinate, putting off the things I need to do.  I tend to avoid doing things that I don’t enjoy.  I hate to read  I avoid contact with my professors outside the classroom.  I prefer to study alone rather than with other students.

Positive attitudes produce positive results. Negative attitudes produce negative results.

Keys to Success in Engineering Study Attitude – “Think Positively” Effort – “Work Hard” Approach – “Work Smart”

Group Discussion Exercise Ability vs. Effort Divide into groups of five or six and discuss the following issue: Do you believe that people succeed because of their ability, That some people “have it” while others don’t? Or do you believe that people succeed because of their effort? Which do you think is more important: ability or effort? Why? Select a group leader to keep the discussion on topic and a recorder who will report out for the group. Make sure you note the important conclusions in your journal. Make a heading: Date: 9/11/2012 Group Discussion – Ability vs. Effort

Assignments due by Monday 9/18 Read Chapter 2, sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 of the textbook – Note your opinions of the sections in your journal – Note questions, issues or perspectives you have/gained Exam 2 (blackboard), make sure you read Chapter 2 sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 of the textbook first Prepare a statement, your statement, to the question: What is engineering? Write this statement in your journal. Homework #1: – a) List ten benefits of graduating in engineering. Rank them in order of importance to you – b) Graduating with a BSE degree in engineering: How important is that goal for you? How can you make it even more important? Homework #1 needs to submitted as doc(x) or pdf file through blackboard ( submissions will not be accepted) Hand in your attendance form!