I'm starting a degree in industrial engineering specializing in mechanical engineering in October 2025. During my A-levels, I always shied away from it because I was "scared" of math and approached it with the mentality: "It's too hard anyway". After that, I realized that the planned path of a pure business studies degree was not for me, because I realized how much I was actually interested in technology and development.
Thank you for that and all the best
Thank you for that and all the best
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@EmilMar I felt the same way. I somehow cheated my way through the math exam. Just barely made it. I told myself: never again! Didn't dare to study at all because of my school performance. First community service, then training. Plan A was to do a dual course of study with the police, but my back wasn't straight enough...
During my training, I noticed that my performance had improved considerably, and I also found everything so much easier in practice than back then in sixth form. Then I heard from a colleague at work that he was quitting to go back to university (logistics management). I visited him at home and looked at his documents. It looked totally complicated. Nevertheless, I dared to enrol after my training. And lo and behold, it was really hard. Mathematics and statistics (1st semester) cost me my last nerves. I failed the first two attempts, despite studying and attending tutorials.
At the end of my studies, the only thing missing was this exam and the Bachelor's thesis. I gave it my all once again - and had a big advantage: a fellow student led the tutorial that semester. Monday mornings at 8 a.m. because there were no other lectures. And that was my great luck. She was the first person who could really make mathematics understandable to me. For the first time, I really understood it. Due to the "ungodly" time (for students), I was regularly alone with her, or at most with 1-2 other students.
It was partly like a kind of tutoring. What can I say: I spent months just preparing for the exam alongside my studies and work. I've never been so tense in my life. A fellow student - also in her third/final attempt - failed the exam and decided to go to Egypt to celebrate her upcoming graduation (in our university, if you got at least 40%, you could take an oral exam to get the remaining percentages up to 4.0). She was under the impression that she wouldn't be failed since she had passed the rest. Plot twist: she finally failed because the professors noticed her attitude (and her lack of preparation).
After handing it in, I had a good feeling that I had achieved at least 50%.
When I received the e-mail from the professor that my result was 2.7, I almost started crying. It's probably still one of the "most beautiful and decisive moments of my life". Because I realized that all those hours of hard work had paid off and that I could trust myself if I wanted it enough.
It definitely opened a lot of doors for me - probably more than my degree.
Of course, Wi-Ing is a whole different ball game when it comes to mathematical understanding. In any case, persevere and look for committed fellow students with whom you can cram together. Don't let setbacks get you down!
During my training, I noticed that my performance had improved considerably, and I also found everything so much easier in practice than back then in sixth form. Then I heard from a colleague at work that he was quitting to go back to university (logistics management). I visited him at home and looked at his documents. It looked totally complicated. Nevertheless, I dared to enrol after my training. And lo and behold, it was really hard. Mathematics and statistics (1st semester) cost me my last nerves. I failed the first two attempts, despite studying and attending tutorials.
At the end of my studies, the only thing missing was this exam and the Bachelor's thesis. I gave it my all once again - and had a big advantage: a fellow student led the tutorial that semester. Monday mornings at 8 a.m. because there were no other lectures. And that was my great luck. She was the first person who could really make mathematics understandable to me. For the first time, I really understood it. Due to the "ungodly" time (for students), I was regularly alone with her, or at most with 1-2 other students.
It was partly like a kind of tutoring. What can I say: I spent months just preparing for the exam alongside my studies and work. I've never been so tense in my life. A fellow student - also in her third/final attempt - failed the exam and decided to go to Egypt to celebrate her upcoming graduation (in our university, if you got at least 40%, you could take an oral exam to get the remaining percentages up to 4.0). She was under the impression that she wouldn't be failed since she had passed the rest. Plot twist: she finally failed because the professors noticed her attitude (and her lack of preparation).
After handing it in, I had a good feeling that I had achieved at least 50%.
When I received the e-mail from the professor that my result was 2.7, I almost started crying. It's probably still one of the "most beautiful and decisive moments of my life". Because I realized that all those hours of hard work had paid off and that I could trust myself if I wanted it enough.
It definitely opened a lot of doors for me - probably more than my degree.
Of course, Wi-Ing is a whole different ball game when it comes to mathematical understanding. In any case, persevere and look for committed fellow students with whom you can cram together. Don't let setbacks get you down!
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@KevinE Hey Kevin, wonderful text and thanks for sharing! I agree with a lot of what you say!
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