My 3 BIGGEST REGRETS As A Civil Engineering Student (Structural)
Go to brilliant.org/MatPicardal/ for 20% off your annual subscription! Limited to the first 200 people. My 3 biggest regrets that cost me a year as a civil engineering student.
My Regrets As A Civil Engineering Student
0:00 Regret #1 - Why I Was Studying Wrong
1:55 Regret #1a - Why Active Recall Is Better Than Memorization
4:31 Regret #2 - Office Hours and Study Group Mistakes
6:24 Regret #3 - Why You Need To Get An Internship
7:20 Bonus - How To Get An Internship
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Mat Picardal is a structural project manager at DCI Engineers. This video and this channel does not necessarily reflect the opinion nor beliefs of DCI Engineers. All thoughts expressed are purely his own observations and experiences.
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#structuralengineering #civilengineering #civilengineer
Пікірлер: 289
Go to brilliant.org/MatPicardal/ for 20% off your annual subscription! Limited to the first 200 people.
@suryaseit1833
2 жыл бұрын
bro make your assistant .I am.surya from Tamil Nadu india
@PY988
2 жыл бұрын
How can I reach you personally?
@ashishchaubey3926
2 жыл бұрын
Etabs?
@nursyaqila2091
Жыл бұрын
Study - active recall - be resourceful - prepare b4 study group (save hours) - join competition - help organisations
“Review material before the class” My Professors: No no no we give you the material one week AFTER the lecture
@skullypigeon8531
3 жыл бұрын
Same problem here mate
@allenatienza3834
3 жыл бұрын
@@skullypigeon8531 you have no idea how much i want to advance study man
@ttiaaana
3 жыл бұрын
omg yes
@dianaboltes4175
3 жыл бұрын
Usually professors give lectures based on specifics books, so if you have the chance to get the name of the book you can search it up online and review it before class.
@sandiladhikari6305
3 жыл бұрын
Your professors give you the materials?
Rule of thumb: One hour of lecture, you need to spend (at least) additional 3 hours of personal study time in order to get an A in any engineering courses.
@MatPicardal
3 жыл бұрын
Great rule of thumb, thanks for sharing!
@djnkg4703
3 жыл бұрын
3 hours are too much to be honest.1 hour is more than enough most times
@HumphreyChan
3 жыл бұрын
@@djnkg4703 one hour maybe for those smart students like you, but for average engineering students, that’s what i was told by a professor.
@ryrysimon
3 жыл бұрын
@@HumphreyChan We were told 6 hours per week for each lecture :P
@HumphreyChan
3 жыл бұрын
@@ryrysimon wow, even tougher. MIT?
Completed a two year civil eng technician course working part time full time school and a single mom. Graduated 2011 an honours student and been working as a cad designer ever since. Put in the effort an do what works best for you and you will succeed no matter what.
Hey, structural engineering senior here. Wanted to let you know that your youtube channel is super insightful!
@MatPicardal
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Coby! Appreciate the support from the senior engineers!
@durgeshk9204
3 жыл бұрын
i'm too structural engineer with no experience but have suficient knowlege of Staad Pro. and MS office, can you suggest work from home jobs, freelancer job
@janjansen2091
3 жыл бұрын
@@durgeshk9204 if you got a degree the jobs will come flying at you
@durgeshk9204
3 жыл бұрын
@@janjansen2091 but yet no jobs flied to me. degree doesn't guarantee jobs
@malikkipoidi6885
3 жыл бұрын
Jansen, how come ?
As semesters passed I just fell in love with civil engineering. And now am truly happy that I am a civil engineer. 😌
@Kashmirhouseplans
3 жыл бұрын
Except the maths 😅 It is of no use
@zdvxgf
Жыл бұрын
Is there really lots of math in real life civil engineering?
@tzamtzisa.1274
Жыл бұрын
@@zdvxgfthere are, but they are done by computers. So in theory yes and thats why you need to lean them, but practically no
lost 3 semesters to covid, couldnt manage to do internships either. But its just a setback, we move
@johndoe7039
3 жыл бұрын
I feel you, lost this semester but planner to do better next one! Hopefully it works out man
@ninaalcantara113
3 жыл бұрын
Same 😕 we had our ojt online and tbh i didn't even learn.
@samt5663
3 жыл бұрын
can you get a exchange to new zealand or Australia?
@NumNaughts
2 жыл бұрын
Covid really screwed me school wise. I’m an opportunist and when the opportunity comes to cheat and get perfect grades I take them. I’m done not coming to campus this sucks.
@chieee6609
2 жыл бұрын
@@NumNaughts Opportunist. What a word. I didn't realize I was this until I read it here hahhaa.
I accidentally watched one of your video few minutes ago, and I ended up watching this one too. And guess what, after watching those two videos, it made me realize a lot of things. I am now in my junior year as a civil engineering student, and because of this pandemic my once burning passion for this profession slowly fades. But, thanks to you and your videos. You lit the dying passion of mine. I am now fired up to finish all my battles and ready to face those coming.
Superb! Struggling with the unknown before someone enlightens you is always rewarding.
Watching this video was like staring into a mirror. I made the exact same mistakes and it cost me two years. I knew I loved the field and this is what I wanted to do but lacked the tools to get there. Took a year to figure it out for myself and now I am 3rd/4th year. Figuring out how to study correctly has been the biggest factor in my recent academic success and now loving every second of it. Moving from rock bottom of my class to the top shows what finding what works can do for you. Been studying a 4 year BEng Civil degree for 5 years now and will end up finishing it in 6 years total. Not caring about how well you do relatively to other students helps you to focus on yourself and achieving your goals no matter how long it takes.
I can't believe how similar our first few years of undergrad were. I would go to classes take notes and go home. Even when I did go to the library, I'd spend countless hours doing anything but study. Failed quite a few classes and basically lost a whole year repeating. I highly recommend getting a study group. It changed everything for me. Before, I'd spend hours stuck on one little step then give up and feel like I didn't learn anything. My biggest regret was not joining any clubs. I convinced myself to join geowall the last semester finally but covid hit and that went nowhere. Only took me like 3 years to realize that what I was doing in high school wasn't working. Getting away with the bare minimum.
@zy8753
3 жыл бұрын
same, still an undergrad for an associate's in eng. / physics after wasting 2 years of pooooor studying habits from high school and lack of motivation. Covid revealed how bad I study, like depending on my classmates to know the answers on the quiz I didn't study for when our professor graciously gave open exams or quizzes, to name one. Getting away w/ the bare minimum will catch up and ruin you. I'm glad it did for me sooner than later still in prereqs. Just wanted to let you know you're not alone =)
Wow thanks for the vid man👏👏Dang u blick alot
Mat, thank you brother 🙏❤💙🙌!! You are my role model and inspiration
My math teacher for vector analysis gave us all of the class notes for the whole semester in advance. Sometimes as many as 18 pages for a single topic, with worked examples. We also got the corresponding reading assigments in the text. Very helpful. Never felt lost in class, as a result, whereas, without the notes, I'm sure I would have felt lost at times. Having the notes in advance frees you up to listen and understand concepts rather than writing furiously while the teacher is speaking. Less anxiety about missing something important.
Mechanical Engineer here about to finish freshman year. Super helpful video man and will definitely take the tips on internships and joining engineer societies
As a Civil and Mechanical engineer with 30 years of experience and now as a Structural Design professor I do agree with you.
thank you thank you thank you! needed this, because I realized all these regrets are what I am going thru which demoralizes myself when I'm in school...... will change for the better asap :)))
Great video, starting civil engineering this fall and I specifically picked a school where you get 12-16 months of co-op job experience with your degree
Helpful 🙌🏻
Keep up your videos mat i love them so much 😉
The flow of that promotion for Brilliant is superb. Awesome brother!
@MatPicardal
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Ken!
Great tips here. I can attest to reading the material before class. I dropped a chemistry class because I was heavily confused and didn’t take it seriously. Next semester I came back with a vengeance. I read the chapter BEFORE class, utilized the time I had to soak it in before lecture. I was one of the few students that could stay engaged with the professor. Finished chemistry with an A, which I’m really proud of because when I dropped it I felt defeated and hopeless. So my advice to people looking to succeed, utilize your time before the class to familiarize yourself with the concepts before lecture. Also, don’t just see it as a class you have to pass. Treat it as material that you want to learn so that you can be better in your desired field. You want to be a specialist in your field not just an employee. Remember you could just be a burger flipper (no disrespect if that’s what you want to do) but you’re learning specialized material, be happy about it and embrace it.
Thank you so much for this light beaming video!!
Thaank you Engr. Mat.
Saaame dude... was always a loner but a dude that I started helping this semester in steel class sent me the announce for it. He knew I was looking like crazy for anything working with structures. God bless him. I would've never found it since I don't have social media accounts.
At the right time ..thanks mate!
Hey Mat!!!! I’m a first year engineering student and I have found it pretty overwhelming, but I’m gonna give theses a go! Thanks so much for the tips😄
@MatPicardal
3 жыл бұрын
Glad they help, best of luck!
@johnokeefe2694
3 жыл бұрын
Same here, this semester was a wash and I thought it was because lectures sucked but no, college is just not high school you learn from the text book and the professor is there to answer questions and clarify for the harder concepts.
A very helpful video since a lot of students have the same problems and make the same mistakes. Thanks.
this will help me in my first year sheeeshh thank you!!!
I'm happy I saw this video thanks for the tips I'm starting my first year in civil engineering
Finally a new video dude. Love your videos.
@MatPicardal
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, studying for licensing exams so it’s been slow
I worked at a structural engineering firm for 2 years before I started college, and it helped a ton. I knew what all the engineering terms meant, and I was familiar with doing structural calculations, and I was familiar with building code. As I am working through college, my engineering job and my classes are helping to build on each other.
@nayelydiaz8284
2 жыл бұрын
Hey, How did you get you engineering job wihh the without a college degree??
Ok youtube recommended me this. It clearly knows i am struggling even after my undergraduates... Thanks for the tips!!
Thanks for the good advices
Awesome video as always Mat! Editing is looking pro.
@MatPicardal
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for noticing!
This mindset and insight might have given me q better experience and I wouldn't have gone through getting my masters in structural and then bailing on the field from fatigue.
Thanks for another great video Mat! I was a below average student, and totally agree with your recommendations. Now, 10+ years into my career, I'm spending a lot of time studying and making up some ground. Keep up the good work!
@MatPicardal
3 жыл бұрын
Awesome, thanks Theuns!
Love your videos, bless you and thank you!
@MatPicardal
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Abi!
ooh finally i can find someone who always feel like this kind as well, and i think that it may only occur to me .Thank for imparting us
Great video!!! Thanks for sharing! I mean it.
@MatPicardal
3 жыл бұрын
Glad it helps!
Thanks this was a very useful video
This is such useful information 👌
yea. your advise is really helpful.
That one of main reason why STEM college student quitting/changing the major it is hard for them.
Thank u for the video
Hi your channel is awesome.
2nd year Civil Engineering student here in University of Cape Town.Your video is so insightful,I was struggling with Mechanics Of Material/Continuum but after watching your video my class record went up to 94.45%
I wish I saw this a semester ago, going through dynamics and mechanics of material, right now
@Pops_cxxl
Жыл бұрын
Did you kill mechanics of material?😂😂you’re probably in your last year now. I literally wrote my exam last week(31st May 2023)on Mechanics of Material😂
@zane_sadauskis
Жыл бұрын
@thabisoqhaphetshu4546 graduated and FE passed now time to find a job
thanks for your tips
Am doing civil engineering am from Kenya first year student am glad I came across your channel
@Vin-ip3jd
3 жыл бұрын
Huh! All the best Mkuu. Mih niko second year Sem II
@Murimimbabu
3 жыл бұрын
@@Vin-ip3jd najua nikubayaaa bro masomo kunikimbiza
@Vin-ip3jd
3 жыл бұрын
@@Murimimbabu hahaha. Hence the reason tuko hapa. Hatutaki kuregret, right?
@Murimimbabu
3 жыл бұрын
@@Vin-ip3jd banaaa mistakes ndo hatutaki unasomea pande gani za hii kenya
@sumayafagas6190
3 жыл бұрын
I’m trying to move to Kenya and study Civil Engineering what do you think of that and from Somalia by the way 🖤
Hi, i'm from Poland. I am a first-year student of civil engineering. This field of study is very difficult, but after doing the project for many hours, there is a lot of satisfaction . I'm very glad that i find this channel,because you give me a lot of inspiration.
@reeya_official3427
Жыл бұрын
Is it harder than medical?
@TheSeba152
Жыл бұрын
@@reeya_official3427 idk,maybe sometimes...
@reeya_official3427
Жыл бұрын
@@TheSeba152 such a freak🤧you are demotivating dude
Thanks, so helpfull
i am first gen college student with blue collar family. i’m graduating in December with civil and want to go structural so this all is helping more than you know.
Thanks a lot ur video is really helpful. I have taken just one semester in Engineering course. I have another problem too, whenever I try to participate there would always be those colleges who are showing off with higher voices and kinda hyper active and always think loudly, acting like the professors are their best friends. But I don't do that and when I do I can't focus or enjoy it, although I understand the topics and my scores are quite higher than them but still like I am invesible. Unfortnately I don't get the highest grades either so that's why I can't show my existence. I don't know what to do :(
So much wisdom in this video. Save it, young ones. I would also add that PRACTICE is more important than studying in the engineering. Reading the material in the book doesn't make it all click nearly as well as doing practice problems. Also, it's a good learning exercise to make sure that you can explain what's happening at a conceptual level when performing computations, as opposed to simply relying on equations. And you didn't "lose" a year. You either win or you LEARN. Setbacks hurt, but look how much you learned from the experience ;-)
@meetpatel-lf8dh
3 жыл бұрын
Great lines 🤸🏻♂️
@MatPicardal
3 жыл бұрын
Always appreciate the thoughtful and helpful comments Alex!
@tigistalemayehu996
3 жыл бұрын
I wish you all Bests
Currently on my third year CE right now, covid happened on my last sem of 2nd year and it really did a lot of damage on my studying. Both students and teachers weren't prepared for the onlice learning, example is the first sem of third year with TOS, we passed because the teacher lacked any resource for grading, and we missed a ton of lectures. Right now I'm making up some of the lessons by studying by myself, a bit hard but thanks for the amazing video.
@stupidfcks2621
2 жыл бұрын
EXACTLY THE SAMEEE😭
@stupidfcks2621
2 жыл бұрын
A bit late but im aiming for a top notcher spot...so im grinding now
Hola, te sigo desde hace poco, aunque no manejo muy bien el Inglés, trato de entender lo que dices. Recién me gradué de Ingeniería Civil y estoy buscando trabajo. Gracias por tus videos💪
@BelkadiNadjib-photography
3 жыл бұрын
Le aconsejo la cadena de Marcelo Pardo, es en español. Saludos.
@coria6231
3 жыл бұрын
¿De qué país eres?
@BelkadiNadjib-photography
3 жыл бұрын
@@coria6231 Soy argelino
@javieryagual3162
3 жыл бұрын
@@coria6231 Soy de Ecuador
Just got my advanced diploma for civil engineering. I’m still looking for a job at the moment. I’m not sure if I should go to a university to do another four years or find a job.
Why is this on my recommended just when I finished my civil engineering degree 🤦🏻♀️
@bennythebard
2 жыл бұрын
Dude this fucking driving me crazzyyy!!! Like where TF were you at the beginning of any of my semester??
Well. I feel like you're reciting my story. Even I did the same. Didn't get a single reply from the companies. So, got an internship first while managing my grad school side by side.
Same happening to me in my masters right now.
hie matt, loved your videos. I hope you are safe in pandemic. Can you please suggest me where could I find application of the theoretical knowledge in practical life for structural engineer?
I want to know about Phd in structural engineering .Is it worth it and what are the job options afterwards , would love it if you cover this up in some video
Hey...! Excellent videos. Can you make a video describing the future of structural engineering and data science. Almost every institution has started combined coursework based on structural engineering and data science. So, what's the future?
I am transferring to Cal Poly Pomona for General Civil Engineering. I want to focus in structural engineering, pretty much follow the same path and transfer for my Masters. One recommendation was to do more design courses. It looks like I have the option to pick three electives. Would it be better to take classes specifically for structural or try to stay well rounded and pick electives from other aspects of civil engineering? Option 1 [(Structural Analysis II w/lab) + (Structural Design: (Timber w/lab) + (Steel/w lab))] Option 2 [(Architectural Engineering Interdisciplinary Design: (Precast Concrete w/lab) + (Timber w/lab))+(Intro to Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics)] Option 3 [Sustainable Buildings and Infrastructure + Construction Scheduling + Virtual Design Construction Management-BIM w/lab] Here are the options im considering, without being in the field im not sure which electives will better prepare me for a career/licensing exams.
practical is such a practical word for civil engineers ;)
Thank you for the video I'm preparing for a master degree in structure
Hi, final year civil engineer student here. While in university, I felt myself regressing. I still remembered how I'm full of curiosity while first attending class, but now I feel like I had lost my passion. I even had a nausea everytime I'm studying. I'm feeling that I haven't studied anything, and I feel miserable and depressed (but not suicidal yet). Well, it's my last semester so I'll just keep pushing. But the problem is I feel like I haven't studied anything at all. If you know what kind of feeling is that and how to fix it, please tell me.
@OveranalyzingEverything
3 жыл бұрын
Oh man. I definitely feel that. It feels like if I gave up at that point, I'd have lost 5 years. And that wasn't an option. I highly recommend finding a study group. That was difficult for me since I was really quiet and shy. And basically was by myself the first 4 years.idk what I was thinking. But I realized that I'm not the only one going through it. Better late than never. Even if it took me an additional year or 2 to finish, that would be a huge accomplishment. And it is.
@aesop1451
3 жыл бұрын
This is so weird. I'm considering becoming a civil engineer, but my job already makes me feel like that, so I can't imagine feeling twice that bad.
@philnightjar1971
3 жыл бұрын
You’re gonna feel like you never got anything out of college. But once you start to work in your field in Civil Engineering and everything you studied will just come back in a flash. If you do forget a couple topics, re learning would be very much easier.
@zdvxgf
Жыл бұрын
Is their really lots of complicated maths in real life civil engineering?
Hello sir! I dreamt to become a civil engineer one day, that's why I'm here now in this so cool youtube channel, hoping that you could help me by sharing your experiences as a civil engineer.💌
Sir can i ask? Cam you give me a tip on how to catch up faster on how to operate structural software analysis?
That BRILLIANT shout out was bilriliant.
I wish I had seen this video earlier. I am having such a hard time finding an internship now 😞
Please make a books recommendation video for civil engineering (For all the subjects). Would be very interesting to know what kind of books does an american university offer.
@MasterCivilEngineering
3 жыл бұрын
👍👍👍
@pilopolo5957
3 жыл бұрын
He already have videos for steel design, concrete, etc. Just look for it.
I’m starting into civil engineering in august and I’m already looking for work now I already have plenty of cad experience and I’m an industry professional I’m looking now but it’s hard
Do you have any tips for a summer civil engineering project?
Hello Mat! I’m interested with the brilliant resource but I prefer the hard copy. Is there any way I could buy a book?
Do you have any recommendation for someone (third year engineering student) that wants to design airframes for airplanes. I can't get good advice from my college counselors. (I have all math and physics classes complete and finishing up on Statics) Thanks in advance.
I'm in the verge of losing two years. Was supposed to graduate in 2019 August.
Hi, what is the term used in your region for the engineering services that support the contractor during construction?
just watched some of ur videos and loved it. And i'm very eager about ur age
How many courses did you take a time while implementing your new study habits ?
For those who say the best way to learn is to teach others is only partially true. I have learned quiet well the last 2 years in my college by being able to teach myself by simply trying to understand the material first and then ask questions of what could be important about the stuff I learned. Also, it’s important to do the hw questions or at least find another resource to really test yourself prior to quizzes and exams. So far, it’s been working for me, but maybe it’s preferential and more the way my brain works.
As a civil structural engineer, should I be looking for firms that act as solely as structural engineers, or architectural firms? I want to design building structures and graduate next spring.
If only I had this info 3 years ago when I * wasnt * about to bomb a structural steel design final
Hi there. I am a practising Structural Engineer and I declare you my SENPAI.
I have a question, I've been interning at a transportation firm and I have a job with them for when I graduate. I find the work interesting and enjoyable, but I always loved my geotechnical classes the most. My question is if I end up taking the job for the nice salary and experience, is there any way in a coupl years I could end up switching over to geotechnical if I feel I want to? If so how would I do that? Would I get an internship, or some kind of apprenticeship? I need your help, or anyone's help in the comments!
I'm a second year student of civil engineering. I watch most of your videos and it motivates me a lot. But there are some questions that I have in mind. Like I'm not good at designing or sketching building that's why I choose civil engineer over architect at first place. And I saw in your video that there are some building designs. So would I be able to go on with civil engineering??
@roblerch9988
3 жыл бұрын
Civil engineering is very broad. You don't need to be good at designing to succeed as a working engineer. You could manage projects, be a field engineer, cost estimation, and of course with practice, you can become better at designing.
First comment!! Currently doing structural engineering at uni!! You’re an inspiration
@MatPicardal
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Ayush!
@shashank_nitm7447
3 жыл бұрын
Hello Ayush, how you apply for this University?
@ainymichiyo8221
3 жыл бұрын
Good luck
can you please suggest good fundamental books for Reinforced concrete structure, structural design
Why's this showing up in my recommended like 4 years after graduating. maybe youtube knew i was considering getting my masters the other day
Any tips for efficient time management? I had 6 classes my first semester and I had to drop at least half because I just could not keep up
@madisonallen4391
3 жыл бұрын
I really like the pomodoro method, and I always find it helpful to include blocks of time to study in my schedule, as well as just keeping a planner and finding one that works for you. I’ve had success with the moleskine weekly/monthly layout planner. Plus the usual finding a place to study that works for you and eliminating distractions.
Hi mat , i want to ask you if you have a setup file for the software S-Concrete , if u do plz help me i really need it. Thank u!!
Sir please can you also upload job recruitments
What laptop would you recommend for a incoming freshman?
Hey. I'm going to Civil Engineering this Fall and I'm looking to get the Macbook Pro, how well do macs work with civil engineering programs? And what programs did you use?
@triplemav1588
3 жыл бұрын
I would recommend getting a windows computer, the autocad and other design softwares are much easier to download on windows, plus you can get good specs for cheaper
I'm almost done with my masters in structural engineering.. I'm in search of job. Kindly give a suggestion!
Hi, I have done masters in structural mechanics. Even I had 6 months internship but lately I lost track. I am doing job in other field. It’s almost 3 years now I am not attached with structural mechanics. How come I can find a way to be back on track for structural mechanics.
Do you recommend a MacBook Pro M1 for this major or should I get a different laptop????
I think I fell in the same mistakes, wish I knew this earlier than in my last semester 😂😂
@bezawitloha7405
3 жыл бұрын
This is exactly what happened to me. Started getting As my last semester because I figured out what he was saying just then
Which engineering society did you join? I studied Water resource engineering but it is hard to get a job too.