Freshman Year Advice: What I Wish I Knew Before College

Dr. Brandon Harrison-Smith sits down with two first-year engineering students, Jada Andrews and Brooke Sanders, to discuss the challenges and triumphs of transitioning to college. They share their experiences with academic preparation, navigating the new learning environment, building support systems, and adjusting priorities. From pre-college programs to the importance of mentorship and embracing failure, Jada and Brooke offer valuable insights for current and future college students. Dr. Harrison-Smith adds his perspective, providing advice on extracurricular involvement, time management, and the importance of viewing college as a journey of self-discovery and career exploration.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Introduction and guest introductions
02:37 Academic preparation for college
04:01 Pre-college programs and their effectiveness
05:15 Reflecting on pre-college preparation
06:18 Academic challenges and support systems
09:30 Utilizing campus resources: tutoring, office hours, study groups
11:08 The challenge of seeking help & overcoming the ego
13:00 Finding community and support through MEP (Minorities in Engineering Program)
15:00 Accessing and utilizing academic support systems
16:00 Time management and self-directed learning
18:05 Shifting priorities and balancing academics and personal life
20:30 Lessons learned and strategies for success
22:25 Learning how to fail and bounce back
24:10 Advice for incoming college students
25:20 Seeking mentorship and guidance
27:10 The importance of networking and connections
28:20 Q&A: Students ask Dr. Harrison-Smith for advice
29:50 Prioritizing academics and extracurricular activities
31:00 Approachability of professors
32:20 Dr. Harrison-Smith’s experience with failure and the importance of resilience
35:30 Viewing college as a journey of self-discovery and career exploration

Key Takeaways:

• "Even if you understand everything that's going on in class, you do have to take the time on your own to go back and review everything." - Jada
• "Just be aware that college is different than high school. You have more freedom." - Brooke
• "Maybe failing a test will kind of help you get that mentality where it's like, it's okay, the world is not ending." - Brooke
• "It's not about failing, it's about what you do after you failed." - Dr. Harrison-Smith
• "College is just so fun and inviting… remember the main thing is the main thing, and that's getting your degree." - Dr. Harrison-Smith
• "Your GPA don't matter at that point [job applications]. So what is the main focus? The main focus is getting that degree." - Dr. Harrison-Smith
• "Each semester, each class you take, each internship, each interaction you have should really dictate what you plan to do with your life." - Dr. Harrison-Smith

Links:

B-Xcellent Podcast: https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/Academics/Graduate/b-xcellent/index_html
Purdue MEP (Minorities in Engineering Program): https://www.purdue.edu/learningcommunities/profiles/engineering/engr_bootcamp.html