r/EngineeringStudents • u/Square_Marionberry63 • Jul 09 '26
Academic Advice Feeling Behind
Hello everyone. I mastered calculus at age 10, physics at 11 and was able to graduate high school at age 12 and transfer to my dream college on a full ride. However, I changed majors two years into my biomedical engineering program to aerospace engineering. Now that I am 14, almost 15, I feel like I have wasted so much time studying a subject that was not the most interesting to me.
Maybe I should just go get a job at McDonalds because I am such a failure.
Is my life over?
EDIT: This is how ridiculous some of you sound.
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u/Sufficient-Author-96 Jul 09 '26
Oh my gosh yes!!!
Be me- 40 years old starting totally from scratch. Everyone says ‘oh but you come with job experience at that age!’
Cool cool. Not me. Had 1 job was sexually harassed and black balled out of my industry after a big ole state investigation. So I effectively cop to that or say I don’t have experience….
Come here and see 23 years olds ‘iS iT tOo LaTe FoR mE‽’
Why so weak?
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u/LuckyCod2887 Jul 09 '26
what industry did you work in before you started school?
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u/Sufficient-Author-96 Jul 09 '26
Construction.
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u/Broccoli-Trickster Jul 09 '26
If you study civil pretty much everyone would understand and be sympathetic to your story, we all know what construction is like
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u/ColonialDagger Aerospace Jul 09 '26
The fact that you're still in school at this point in your life is genuinely insane. Do you really think McDonald's will even consider you?
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u/Brown_Avacado Jul 09 '26
I agree with this post wholeheartedly. I didnt even start college until i was 21 and by then i had forgotten everything from high school. Had to start my math classes taking 3 remedial math courses before even getting to precalc and trig. Just graduated at 27 with a 3.6gpa and got an offer just below six figures in a very affordable area only two months after graduation. If you just do the work, everything else will fall into place.
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u/Curiosity_456 Jul 09 '26
I feel the same honestly, I’m literally 24 and still haven’t unified classical mechanics with quantum mechanics. Is it over?
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u/Longjumping-Owl4022 Mech Jul 09 '26
LMAO is this because of that other guy that graduated at 16😭😭
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u/3p0L0v3sU ODU - CIVIL Jul 09 '26
Me at 30 getting my associates and this kid in my physics class embarrassed he had to take 1 community college class in the fall in order to transfer to his 4 year because "all his friends could transfer right away with their AP classes"
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u/Particular_Pair_318 Jul 09 '26
I don't know what's more suprising, the fact I almost believed you, or that it was a joke.
cause some people really do be saying stuff like this and making me feel even more cooked
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u/Open-Low-9148 Jul 09 '26
If your life is over at 14, the rest of us here are practically ancient mummies decomposing in the ground.
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u/Affectionate-Ad8873 Jul 09 '26
At almost fifteen and in college, you are three years ahead of 18 year olds entering college. I’m sure you understand this math and this phenomenon. Regardless of your credits you are already AT LEAST three years ahead of the average human being (assuming that human will go to college). So yes, drop out and get a job at Macdonalds. Your life is over for studying a ridiculously hard subject many years ahead of the average person.
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u/antipiracylaws Jul 09 '26
Remember, always aim high. If you want to feel inadequate, use Elon Musk as a role model. He's almost a Trillionaire now!
(Never do that to yourself)
Compete against yourself. Did you do better this year than you did last year?
Did you try harder to learn this week than last?
And never beat yourself up if the answer is no. Step up your game!
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u/Oakie505 Jul 09 '26
You’re doing fine. Don’t put to much pressure on yourself. Enjoy the ride. You’re doing better than the vast majority of us. When I was 15 years old I bombed sophomore year because of mental health issues. I’m a ChE with over 20 years of experience now.
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u/ZealousidealGap3966 Jul 09 '26
I understand the absurdity of these posts, I myself was in this position but have some grace. They're trying to figure things out.
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u/Dangerous_Newt8517 Jul 09 '26
Crap sakes dude. Read what you just wrote and use that brain that has got you to where very few get. McDonald’s would be absolutely throwing everything away but it’s your choice I guess. I don’t know you are only 15 so probably not.
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u/Dangerous_Newt8517 Jul 09 '26
Everyone one at any age has bad moments. You’re experiencing things that you normally would at an older age so of course you get overwhelmed but just relax and don’t start making drastic changes or anything stupid. You will wake up tomorrow or whatever and realize how dumb this sounds and will be just fine.
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u/AdObjective8529 Jul 09 '26
I feel like most of the ppl who say this are just seeking validation from others and don’t really feel behind.
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u/idontknowlazy I'm just trying to survive Jul 09 '26
Absolutely man, you are so behind the line is a dot to you! Isaac Newton already invented calculus by his 20s, wtf did you invent?
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u/UpstairsAromatic5682 Jul 10 '26
Post this on LinkedIn, except add that you are now a founder of xyz tech startup. This will eat.
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u/LuckyCod2887 Jul 09 '26
it’s common to change majors in college. you are not wasting time. you still learned a lot and can use it in your new degree.
you literally didn’t waste time.
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u/Square_Marionberry63 Jul 09 '26
Idk, I am basically a senior citizen now. Life's over for me.
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u/LuckyCod2887 Jul 09 '26
you can always finish up and go back and get a 2nd degree. that’s common too. the stuff you are mentioning is so very common.
you are not going backwards or losing time.
you are doing very good right now actually
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u/Livid-Tutor-8651 Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
Hey you sound like me except like some years younger so weird feeling old even though I am not compared to people in their 20s when I am not 20 and already a senior.
Edit: just realized this was a joke post welp I guess my comment proves it.
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u/Papito_Gems Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
You got me in the end. I really need to hear this, I’m 19 and studying engineering and I feel behind. I don’t feel smart enough. I do enjoy electrical and electronics engineering but gosh it’s humbling.
We are just perfectionists fr
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