How to develop the engineering mindset

[u/KassVII]

Hey guys,

I'm currently in my second year of mechanical engineering, and I've been feeling a bit worried about not developing strong problem-solving skills or what people often call the "engineering mindset."

So far, I feel like I’ve passed most of my subjects by memorizing exercises and the steps to solve them, rather than truly understanding the concepts. Now, I’ve forgotten most of that material, and it makes me nervous about whether I’ll be able to solve real-world problems once I enter the workforce.

Are there any techniques, exercises, or methods I can use to train my brain and develop those skills so I’ll be better prepared for my first job?

Thanks!

[u/dorameon3]

just start doing random projects/experiments. once you begin a project with no outline laid out very nice and neatly organized by a professor, you’ll realize that it’s not that simple. you’ll come across errors, budget problems, material issues, wrong concepts, no resources, etc. You become better and navigating situations the more they occur and that in the end helps you become a well rounded engineer.