The Phillip M. Drayer Department of Electrical Engineering

Each year we ask the graduating class what advice that they would give to students entering the program.

Well, here you are, the LUEE Wisdom of the Ages starting way back in 2002!

         2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2005 • 2004 • 2003 • 2002

Graduating Seniors Advice 2002

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?  In other words, what would you tell an incoming freshman?  Be as specific or as general as you like.

Try to have as much fun as you want to have in freshman year!  Senior year & senior project will get you! J Don’t leave your work far the last moment.  Be active, join in different organizations.

Study, Study, Study!  Have a good strong understanding of Math and Physics-Read the textbook thoroughly.   Don’t be afraid to experiment with circuits.  Follow through with your curiosities in science.

Some of the best advice I would give to an incoming freshman would be not to procrastinate.  There were many instances where I waited until the last minute to work on an assignment.  I would have to work way into the early morning hours.  I would be able to complete the task, but I sure did make the situation more difficult and stressful by procrastinating.  I would also suggest a student to take one semester at a time.  The road is long, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  Also, co-ops and internships are very important!

I wish I’d taken Pre-cal; I always felt a step behind in Math.  Wish Assembly were taught earlier in the core (suggestion: replace Basic with Assembly).  Wish I’d taken Communication & Fiber Optics.  Don’t work too much-take parent’s help!!

I would take the classes a little more seriously.  Work harder to keep my GPA up.  I think that makes such a big difference when interviewing.  I would also recommend co-op to anyone who possibly can.

Organize my schedule so that I take only necessary classes in the senior year.  Get involved in independent, research or similar projects as early as possible.

To be patient.

Start EE classes as early as possible.

I would concentrate on getting my basics out of the way before I end up with too many left to take at the end of my schooling.

Study Hard, Don’t Procrastinate, Get Help from peers and professors, Study groups!

Make sure you begin with a good GPA because if you do not, it is hard to being it up later on.

Study and make the grade as a freshman.  If you need money, co-op is a good solution.  Join IEEE.

Don’t be lazy in the beginning.  Go to class even if you don’t want to, because it is much harder to raise your GPA than to lower it.  Get to know your professors early on.  Plan out your degree and stick with it.  Co-op or intern if you can; it makes it much easier to find a job in the end.

I would try to obtain a co-op or intern position while attending school.  I would try to increase the amount of effort in order to better my grades/understanding.  I would tell an incoming freshman to put as much effort as possible into his classes.  It will pay off in the following years.

Graduating Seniors Advice 2003

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?  In other words, what would you tell an incoming freshman?  Be as specific or as general as you like.

I would follow the sequence of classes as they were outlined.  I would tell an incoming freshman that the more they can learn in the 1st 2 years of their education the better off they will be in the upper level classes.

Put your education FIRST.  Develop any emotional relationships after your bachelor’s.  Complete all homework ASAP (DON’T procrastinate). Co-op if at all possible (don’t be afraid to go directly to a company).  DON’T skip class (get notes from the source, not 2nd hand).  Obtain reliable transportation (you won’t have time to play Mr. Goodwrench).

I wouldn’t work as much at my job.  I would have made better grades.

I have been very blessed here.  I would like to have known about the NSF REW program earlier.  This should be hyped by the faculty during the sophomore and junior years; it seems too early but it is not.  Tell freshmen about it.  It may be a couple of years before an LUEE is interested, but if they don’t know about it…

Came straight here and started, doing basics first took longer.  Not to fail classes because it adds a year.

1) Co-op even if it will delay your graduation.  2) If you plan on going to graduate school full-time, get involved in some research project/activity no later than your junior year.  3) Think about double degree (CS, Physics); it is not much extra effort.

I would do it the same way.  Nothing to say; except work hard.

I would definitely co-op.  Think carefully about your senior project topic.

I would do it the same way.

I would work harder at homework and set my schedule according to the preferred course schedule.  For new students, make certain you are fully interested in the field.  Find a specific area in that field and make it a hobby.  Working for your own enjoyment will make the work easier to deal with.

Paid more attention & tried harder.

Would like to have completed dual degree-but because of difficulties scheduling courses and with instructors was unable to.

Graduating Seniors Advice 2004

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?  In other words, what would you tell an incoming freshman?  Be as specific or as general as you like.

Concentrate on my first few years & have a higher GPA.  I would for sure co-op early on.  Tell freshmen to co-op early on & stay focused throughout their college career.

Try and stay on the straight and narrow.  Try and find something you like early.  With this discipline, you see lots of good places-find one you like early and stick with it.

Summer!  What Summer!  Ahh…the 4 year myth…  …But I wouldn’t change a thing.

I wouldn’t change much.  As to people incoming, just decide quickly what you want to do and stick with it.

Don’t know what I would do differently.  Lots of little things I suppose, maybe tried harder to maintain contact from college.  To tell a freshman:-go to every class meeting –try to take an interest; you’re going to be doing this for a long time.

Not skip around on the courses, take them in order as designed.  Be prepared and dedicated.

Co-op, but the VA didn’t want me to.  I would have tried anyway if I did it over.

Do the best you can at the beginning.  I messed up by not taking school serious at the start of my college career.

If you desire to co-op, you must find your own opportunities.  Also, co-op must be done during the summer to stay on track.  Plan your courses as to stay on track with the degree plan.

I would not work as much (job).  Get ready to study a lot.

To take some courses during summer.  To think ahead what elective courses to take.

If I had a chance to do it all over again, I would try to take more EE elective courses.  I would tell incoming freshmen to study hard, to take education seriously, and to do his/her best.

Graduating Seniors Advice 2005

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?  In other words, what would you tell an incoming freshman?  Be as specific or as general as you like.

Work hard and be dedicated, not matter what you do.

Don’t listen to advisors in order of classes.  Be computer literate.

I would have taken more computer programming classes.  Those skills were needed in the Junior/Senior level courses.

If I would have it to do over, I would try to finish sooner.  I would tell an incoming freshman that the LUEE department is a pretty good program!

Take either Math or Physics as a minor or as a double major w/ electrical engineering.  (To freshmen): the EE program is very good w/ lots of hands-on experience in the labs.  Good idea to have Math or Physics as a minor or as a double major.

Stayed at the 1st school I went off to and finished my degree.

Yes, I would have taken my education more seriously in the beginning.  Good Luck!!

Learned more about the Engineering Program at Lamar.  Heard it was good but didn’t look into professors and teaching methods.  I would tell freshmen you have to read all your books, because professors teach something than put stuff they didn’t talk about on the exams.

I would co-op, and work with T. S. G. C. for Senior Projects.

Learn how to study….early.  Enjoy it while you can.  Real life you can’t skip class   Retake classes in the real world.  Need more linear algebra & matrices.  It is worth it.

I would be more involved with academic activities outside of the classroom.  For incoming freshmen, I would let them know that they need to be self-motivated, because the EE professors tend to be boring.

I would have tried harder, earlier in the program.  Apathy towards “core” courses makes upper level courses more difficult, and bringing up one’s GPA is very difficult.  I would tell freshmen that LUEE is a great program & to trust the professors.

I would have tried to get a co-op position.  I would tell the freshmen that GPA plays a part when you have no work experience.  Also, I would tell them to try to get co-ops because that also helps with getting a job.

Possibly study more during freshman & sophomore years.

I would have continued my degree at my previous school.  Incoming freshmen: Outside of the learning material – you have to prepare yourself for the experience itself.

I would do a dual major: Computer Science/Electrical Engineering due to the high demand of programming experts.

Set Priorities.

Would have come to Lamar first instead of wasting a year at the soul-sucking hellhole that is UT-Austin.  To incoming freshmen: take a light load the first semester and get used to things.

LUEE is a very good program provided you are willing to give it 100% and keep a good GPA, which is not that hard when you go back & reflect on it.  A high GPA comes in handy for numerous things like job offers & graduate programs.

Do it in 4 years not 6.  Do not work.

I would have been more concerned about my grades my freshman-junior years.

Figure out what you want to do early on.  It can hamper your chances of success.  I prepared for a career, but realized that I had great potential for getting a higher degree.  I was not accepted because I did not focus more on research in a specific area.  Find out what you want after graduation and make yourself a prize candidate for it while in college.

Concentrate more on schoolwork at the beginning, try not to work a lot: maximum 20 hrs.  Study with more of your classmates.

I would probably pursue a “not so intense” degree as I have chosen to pursue other avenues (seminary).  I would tell a freshman to make sure he likes math/science and be prepared to work.

Graduating Seniors Advice 2006

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?  In other words, what would you tell an incoming freshman?  Be as specific or as general as you like.

I would start my college experience at LU not LSCPA!!!  Also, I would tell freshmen to talk to their advisor often.  They are very helpful.

Not much.  Taken a co-op.  Worked a little less to study.  It would be hard to get a freshman to follow through or listen.  Join a society and get involved.  Co-op early.  Only draw back to IEEE is the high costs for students and poor planning, preparation for meetings.  Multi-department suggestions: A display with student s and projects as well as competition entries (ASME Pumpkin/Rubber Band) to excite interest & knowledge about Engineering at a Mall on a weekend.

Take your time.  Have fun.  My one regret is that I did it in four years & took everything too seriously.  Now, I want to have time off for the fun I missed out on.  There you have it.

Do a co-op.

Try very hard to get a co-op.  Experience is important.  GPA is more important than you first realize when you get into school, so don’t slack off first few years.

I would have changed my study habits & would have reduced procrastination.  Also, I would have improved my Physics.

I would’ve taken the FE exam.  LU gave me a good education; however, it never oriented me on the different paths you can take as an EE.  There aren’t Power Engineering courses either if it may interest you.  The co-op opportunities for an EE are also very limited.

Start looking for jobs & co-ops sooner.  Be prepared for senile professors.  Make sure you are involved in study groups w/ people in your classes as soon as possible.

Get focused in the beginning and remain focused throughout your college years.  It’s easy to drop your GPA but difficult to pick it back up.  All semesters count!!

Learn how to teach myself early in my collegiate career.

I would want a co-op.

I would have studied harder my freshman year.  I would tell incoming freshmen to not be over confident and that you have to study, not because of the content, but because of the pace.  1 year of high school = 1 semester.

Be more proactive about getting involved with project or jobs (intern, co-op).  I’d find something that stimulated my interest more.

Graduating Seniors Advice 2007

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?  In other words, what would you tell an incoming freshman?  Be as specific or as general as you like.

I'd have taken more electives and more adamently pushed myself to apply for co-op positions.  In all honesty, I was a bit apprehensive about it, but after a semester co-op, I wish I had done it sooner.

To an upcoming freshman LUEE, I would tell him or her that if he or she doesn't tinker with electronics or related hobbies outside of class, than he/she is missing out.  I'd also warn them to always be thinking about senior projects years ahead of time and to be prepared for some independent studies.  Oh, and I'd tell them that if they don't co-op, then they're wrong.

I would study daily and not wait till the last moment.  Co-op!!!!!  Need experience to get into good companies.  Get to know your professors.

Integrate yourself with the upper classmen more to know where you may want to focus or specialize in.

CO-OP!!!  Don't wait to take your Basics, its annoying to be in lower level classes your senior year.

I would not procrastinate nearly as much so I would not be in trouble with my grades if I became sick or whatever.  I might take a few more electives too.

Do not screw around your first couple of years.  Push harder for changes you want.  Learn extra material such as programming.

Plan ahead.  Take every course seriously.  Never slack off.  Complement your degree program with similar fields e.g. Physics, Math beyond what is required to try to fill in gaps.  Co-op. Start interviewing early e.g. Fall.  Don't expect to learn everything.  Take it upon yourself to go outside sources to study (MIT has all notes online OCW).  Make it your hobby, e.g. start playing w/robotics your 1st year.  CO-OP!!!

I would have taken more electives.  Lamar Electrical Engineering is a good department with some good instructors.

Well, I would devote more time to studying and read the books a lot more often, do better in my english classes, been in a different Sr. Project group; tried to work less and work out more...  For freshmen: just make it passed your math classes, watch out for philosophy, and get in w/some friends that want to study and stay w/them.

Try to co-op early.  Don't waste time!  Make every semester count & don't drop or fail any classes.  Ask upperclass students (ME, EE, CE, IE) what they do & figure out which field you like before you choose.

Not much I could do differently.  Would say study more but I studied as much as I could w/the time I had.  Tell freshmen not to work during school if the could help it.

Nothing different.  No real advice.

Graduating Seniors Advice 2008

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?  In other words, what would you tell an incoming freshman?  Be as specific or as general as you like.

I would pay more attention in Calculus courses and learn the general concepts better. To incoming freshmen-if you enjoy Calculus, Geometry & Physics, pick LUEE.

Study real hard at the very beginning-made sure I made A’s in all my basic courses. I would tell freshmen to never fall behind in assignments and to also study in groups.

I wouldn’t do anything differently. I am very satisfied with my degree from LUEE. I’d tell an incoming freshman to make a solid group of friends to form a study group, and to be as active in the college and department as they could.

I would have tried harder in my non-EE classes so I would have had a better overall GPA. To incoming freshman, just make sure that math and fundamentals are studied very well.
Nothing. Form good study groups early, they are essential.

I would take more Math & Physics classes.

Buy books online.

Take excellent notes, and pay very close attention in all core classes.

Try to make better grades. Keep your GPA up.

If I had to do it all over again, I would probably worked harder in my first two years during calculus and classes like that. As far as incoming freshmen, I would tell them that it is a long hard road, but it is worth it when it is over. The professors are great and are very accessable, which makes classes alot easier if you are having problems.

Study hard from day one. Don’t take any of the classes, not even the basics, lightly.

I would tell freshmen to take their basics and core curriculum as early as possible to allow for complete attention & focus on the upper-level EE classes.

I would co-op my sophomore year.

I would suggest that take Statics, Dynamics, Thermodynamics, and Fluid Mechanics for electives.

I would’ve purchased all my books online. Get the ISBN numbers of books that you will be using a semester before you need them.

Try harder to get an internship or co-op.

Would have started @ LU instead of Jr. Col.

I would have started at an earlier age. I would have also don co-op jobs to gain experience.

If a freshman is interested in going to grad school, they should try to get involved in research project as early as possible.

As an incoming freshman, I would pay close attention to the calculus and physics classes. Take my advice; things that may seem obscure and unimportant will have a use in your future classes. Do not ever make the mistake of assuming that you will never use something. If you have some extra time, consider a math class on complex numbers.

If I could do it all over again, I would take college more serious from the start, have better study habits, which just takes time.

Remember the math & physics classes better.

I wouldn’t change a thing. I believe that choosing LUEE will be the best decision you’ve ever made.

Start a co-op sooner so that you have more job experience by the time you graduate.

C’s and D’s don’t make degrees. Don’t let first 2 yrs fool you. It gets hard.

Four years is assuredly shorter at commencement that at the commencement.

I would recommend taking classes outside of your major to get a broader persp