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Kevin Blue

First year at the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment


25 February 2026  ·  3 min read
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First year at the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment
This is becoming somewhat of a cliche as I'm sure you've had it countless times already but this time is different, one wrong step and the magnitude of the shift in your tragectory will be irreversible. Some of us are already regretting losing most of our prime times in High School and some... Well some are counting on the first year being 'the year of absolute freedom'. Well, here's what to expect and how to cope with seemingly harmless situations that latch onto you and unconsciously become part of your system without you ever noticing, or you'll just brush it aside. The University learning system is mostly dependent on oneself and how one plans and governs their own schedule. Everyone around you behaves in accordance with the environment around them. This means a gigantic net of interdependence is created with but a few nodes proping it up. Everyone will be asking for that assignment, this group will be supported by this one person doing everything while others are nowhere in sight. Each and every one of you has got their own standards, and the energy that generally builds up is 'all one needs is a 'P' on the portal and all will be super'. Given such an aura, need I mention why most degree holders are still unemployed? Not a single one of you was not a genius in their own right, but once you're here, everything changes and only one thing determines your potential. Attitude. It feels safe to assume that since the first year of university doesn't hold much weight in the final grading of your degree, then you can let yourself loose and run amok. Unfortunately that cannot be further from the truth. What first years get in their courses is a familiarisation with the Uni environment and fundamentals that will be the pillars to your rise in Higher levels. The general saying is that distinctions are scarce from sophomore year onwards but in reality it's simply because of a lack of fundamentals. You can't reach the roof if there's no wall. The system builds up on what has already been delivered. And yes, most of you think a coursework of 49% can work wonders but sometimes... the reality is that if you don't know, then you simply don't know. Even with such colourful coursework, the remaining 26% cannot be conjured out of thin air. On the other hand, with a coursework of 25% and equipped with knowledge, a distinction is a matter of course. I'm not just writing nonsense, I've seen it more times that one would expect. Ignorance from a lack of fundamentals is like a malignant tumor, throw more advanced problems at it and it'll only continue to grow unless you pull it from the roots. The most important thing for a university student, especially an engineering student to keep in mind, is that you have no time. It may seem like otherwise but that's just the deception brought by relief. You must always be doing something. Your schedule should generally revolve around 3 things; study, news, industry. You must remain active and keep your ears and eyes open to the environment. That's how you notice opportunities suited to yourself. If you ever happen to spend a day without being anxious from developmental pressure, you should feel some urgency. That's how humans evolve.
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Kevin Blue
Kevin Blue

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