August 18, 2006 Vol. 77, no.
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| PHOTO PROVIDED BY TONY XU |
Student Minute with IEOR senior Tony Xu
IEOR senior Tony Xu is one of several engineering upperclassmen who will facilitate E98 this fall. E98 is a one-unit, pass/no-pass DeCal course called “Berkeley Engineering: The Survival Guide,” taught by engineering students for engineering students. Intended primarily for first- and second-year students (including junior transfers), the course provides a comprehensive introduction to Berkeley Engineering. It covers effective study habits, ways to plan a balanced class schedule, activities within and outside of Berkeley Engineering, ways to find summer internships and opportunities to get involved in research. Students will also hear from alumni about career development.
What was your freshman year like?
It was hard. I went from being a big fish in a small pond to being a small fish in a big pond. Everyone was at the top of his or her class in high school. My first semester, I tried to take on as much as I thought I could handle. I thought to myself: “This will be just like high school.” I was wrong and ended up dropping two courses. That semester became a great learning experience. I needed to adjust my thoughts away from who I was in high school and take on a new attitude.
What was the biggest lesson you learned?
To learn for learning’s sake. To ask for help; that was big. And to be confident, but not in a way that was always comparing myself to others.
What are some myths about Berkeley Engineering?
There are a ton! Here are a few that simply aren’t true: Berkeley Engineering only allows you to study. You can’t have a social life. You always have to be in the library. You have to pull all-nighters to do well. Engineers can’t double major. Engineers are so competitive they’ll do whatever it takes to get an “A.” Certain courses like Math 1B are “weeder” courses, designed to eliminate the weak.
Why take E98?
The biggest reason is that you’ll have a support network. We offer camaraderie and a non-competitive atmosphere. Basically, we’re your friendly encyclopedia on Berkeley Engineering.
Register at www.decal.org or https://telebears.berkeley.edu/. Sign up now! |
