We’ve all heard the chiche: engineering students are too busy studying so they don’t have any time to go and have fun. Does this hold any truth? Absolutely not.
If you look on any Viterbi publication, you might have seen the term “Engineering Plus” which refers to the idea of engineering students being more than just… well… engineering students. This idea is not just a flashy motto, but rather a lifestyle that I (and the vast majority of my friends) choose to live by. Even with an increasingly busy schedule, I still have the time to go into L.A. and find new places to eat or new areas to explore. I make a point to go to the rock climbing gym at least twice per week in order to exercise and catch up with friends. I even take advantage of unique and quintessential Los Angeles experiences, like being an extra for a celebrity dog awards show that aired on national television.
Yes… my friends and I actually were on set for the filming of “The CW’s Dog Honors Awards” that aired earlier this month.
I’m not going to lie and say that the workload is easy. Quite frankly, it can become overwhelming at times. But there is a simple solution that will allow you to make the most out of your college experience: time management. It looks different for everybody, but the gist is always the same‒plan ahead and don’t wait until the last minute to complete your work. I have always lived by my family’s philosophy of “chi ha tempo non aspetti tempo,” which essentially means if you have time to do something (an assignment, chore, or anything of the sort), you shouldn’t wait for the time to do it later. Sure, completing a Dynamics assignment a week before it is due seems tedious when your roommates are playing video games together, but getting that assignment out of the way will make time for spontaneous, exciting opportunities that make college so much fun. This applies to everyone, regardless of university or major. Taking the initiative now will save you from FOMO or regret later.
Nick is a sophomore studying Mechanical Engineering. Click above to find out more!
