How to Improve Learning for an Engineering Master’s

An engineering master’s can be intensive…optimise your learning to get more from your course.

Whether you’re looking at electronic engineering courses, civil engineering courses, mechanical engineering courses or engineering of any other kind for your postgraduate training, there are some skills that benefit all fields. Knowing how to optimise these skills can dramatically improve your learning at master’s level.

At the University of Bolton, we’re proud to support students in reaching their potential, putting their needs first. Our student-centric approach is what helps us deliver #UniAsItShouldBe.

No matter what type of engineering master’s you’re interested in, our passionate team will help you get the most out of the course. To take it to the next level, here are some study tips for engineering students of every kind!

Let passion lead the way

The number one trait you need as an engineer is passion for the job and a constant desire to problem-solve and improve. A master’s degree can be a lot of work, so to keep your passion up, remember to take a break, step back, and remind yourself why you’re here.

Turn up every day with a desire to learn and you’ll take a lot more away from the class.

Improve your note-taking

Another great study tip for engineering students is to come prepared for note-taking. This is important in all subject areas, but especially for engineering because of the complexity of the different fields.

Don’t turn up to class without all the right tools and equipment (pack your bag the night before if you tend to rush in the morning). And use abbreviations and symbols so you can write more efficiently. If it helps, use highlighters or colour coding to organise your notes appropriately. You should also date all notes, so there’s no confusion.

Study with others

Studying in groups can be hugely beneficial because it lets you exchange ideas, test out engineering concepts and work on your collaboration skills. It’s also useful because it’s not always possible to take everything down in your notes. By partnering with classmates, you can help bridge the gaps where notes are missing.

Brush up on your people skills if you want to take more from the class while building a foundation for continuous learning in your career. This is one of the best study tips for engineering students, no matter the discipline. Because teamwork is vital in every field of engineering.

Get to know your lecturers

To make the most of your course, it’s important to build strong relationships with course leaders and mentors. Communication skills are essential in the workplace, so building on these skills now will be beneficial in the future.

Plus, when you have a nice flow of communication between you and the faculty, you’ll find it easier to express your needs. This can help the team tailor the modules for you, making sure you get the most out of in-class or practical learning.

Ask questions

Great engineers ask questions…lots of them! So, whether you’re in class, with your study group or having a one-to-one with your lecturers, make sure you have questions at the ready. Write them down in preparation for discussions if you find yourself forgetting.

You should never be afraid to ask for clarification in classes either. Ask for additional examples if you need to get your head around difficult equations or concepts. It’s always better to speak up and it’s great practice for preparing you for the workplace as it builds your confidence to vocalise.

As a leading Greater Manchester university with an excellent reputation in all aspects of engineering, there’s nowhere better to study this subject. We offer a range of civil engineering courses, biomedical engineering courses, electronic engineering courses, mechanical engineering courses, and motorsport engineering courses.

To find out more about applying in 2022, use our online course search.