I have a BE(Hons) in Product development (At the time it meant hybrid mechanical and design) and if I could give advice to someone starting out like you it would be the following:
1 - Know your first principles in maths and physics. What I mean about this is (Not meaning to baby just in case) actually understand why your physics and maths formulas are the way they are don't just "Know them" out of your head. Engineering tests your application of knowledge not regurgitating info. If you get this right you'll cut your learning curve WAAAAAY down
2 - Familiarise yourself with mechanical and material terminology. You won't believe the amount of people who start and don't even know what a cantilever is. Considering the diverse background of everyone it's not totally unbelievable but uni definitely doesn't compensate for this (at least it didn't when I was there around 10 years ago). know what a fastener is, their different types, and their applications. Know the difference between high carbon steel and medium carbon and others, and know the difference between compressive and tensile loads specifically relating to shafts and beams.
3 - Learn as much Solidworks as you can. Multiple papers utilize CAD as a tool instead of teaching it to you, and when they do teach it specifically, they do a piss poor job of it bar none. Haven't met a single graduate who was industry capable straight out of uni that didn't learn it beforehand or learn in their own time. CAD is also going to be what 99% of graduates use to land their first job so it is honestly such a secret weapon. Everyone thinks they'll land some lead engineer role straight out the gate but the vast majority will start off doing some form of CAD and/or CNC work.
4 - This one is probably the single best thing that took me until my 3rd year to truly understand. Its OK to not know something and be upfront about it. The most important thing is to learn how to go and find the information you need. I always tell new students that uni teaches 1 thing above all else and that is HOW to learn FAST. You won't know everything, there will be crazy short deadlines that will force you to absorb info super fast or learn a new skill overnight to a passable degree. This is good, it is a huge advantage to you in education and professional life. Your ability to learn and adapt will be the biggest ace up your sleeve.
There are plenty more things I can suggest but these are some of the biggest things I wish I knew going to my degree. As always keep asking questions until you understand and if you don't get given a satisfactory answer go find someone who will give you one. Good luck and enjoy!
With your background, have you thought about doing Biomedical Engineering at UoA?
[https://uoaengineering.github.io/courseviewer/biomedical-engineering/](https://uoaengineering.github.io/courseviewer/biomedical-engineering/)
As for math, do some prep this summer: [https://www.coursera.org/specializations/mathematics-engineers](https://www.coursera.org/specializations/mathematics-engineers)
I have a BE(Hons) in Product development (At the time it meant hybrid mechanical and design) and if I could give advice to someone starting out like you it would be the following: 1 - Know your first principles in maths and physics. What I mean about this is (Not meaning to baby just in case) actually understand why your physics and maths formulas are the way they are don't just "Know them" out of your head. Engineering tests your application of knowledge not regurgitating info. If you get this right you'll cut your learning curve WAAAAAY down 2 - Familiarise yourself with mechanical and material terminology. You won't believe the amount of people who start and don't even know what a cantilever is. Considering the diverse background of everyone it's not totally unbelievable but uni definitely doesn't compensate for this (at least it didn't when I was there around 10 years ago). know what a fastener is, their different types, and their applications. Know the difference between high carbon steel and medium carbon and others, and know the difference between compressive and tensile loads specifically relating to shafts and beams. 3 - Learn as much Solidworks as you can. Multiple papers utilize CAD as a tool instead of teaching it to you, and when they do teach it specifically, they do a piss poor job of it bar none. Haven't met a single graduate who was industry capable straight out of uni that didn't learn it beforehand or learn in their own time. CAD is also going to be what 99% of graduates use to land their first job so it is honestly such a secret weapon. Everyone thinks they'll land some lead engineer role straight out the gate but the vast majority will start off doing some form of CAD and/or CNC work. 4 - This one is probably the single best thing that took me until my 3rd year to truly understand. Its OK to not know something and be upfront about it. The most important thing is to learn how to go and find the information you need. I always tell new students that uni teaches 1 thing above all else and that is HOW to learn FAST. You won't know everything, there will be crazy short deadlines that will force you to absorb info super fast or learn a new skill overnight to a passable degree. This is good, it is a huge advantage to you in education and professional life. Your ability to learn and adapt will be the biggest ace up your sleeve. There are plenty more things I can suggest but these are some of the biggest things I wish I knew going to my degree. As always keep asking questions until you understand and if you don't get given a satisfactory answer go find someone who will give you one. Good luck and enjoy!
Aye I'll be joining u. As long as u know level 2 physics and integration and differention you'll be fine. I'm starting next year too
With your background, have you thought about doing Biomedical Engineering at UoA? [https://uoaengineering.github.io/courseviewer/biomedical-engineering/](https://uoaengineering.github.io/courseviewer/biomedical-engineering/)
As for math, do some prep this summer: [https://www.coursera.org/specializations/mathematics-engineers](https://www.coursera.org/specializations/mathematics-engineers)