Aerospace Engineering is a tough field. Is it overwhelming at times? If so, how have you handled it? and would you recommend this route?

Hi there again Lucy from Halifax :)

Any engineering degree coursework will most definitely feel overwhelming at times. There is no way around that fact. Engineering is hard work and it takes a lot of determination and dedication to be successful and earn that degree! There will be long nights, all-nighters, school-work weekends, and even then you might not have enough time to fully complete everything that you're asked to do or would like to do to prepare for exams or projects. Engineering students have to really focus, be really organized, and be good at handling high-stress and high-workload for most of their academic career. Things get better in the "real-world" once you've landed a job as an engineer, but even then, it's not the easiest line of work in terms of challenges and expectations.

Earning your engineering degree, especially an aerospace engineering degree, is likely to consume just about all your time. You'll need ways to stay active physically and stay healthy mentally, and friends and family to support you when times are tough. You'll learn methods to cope with the stress and make the most of your limited free time. For me, it was skateboarding sessions and soccer as stress-relief, and college football home games on Saturdays, and getting out into parks and nature for hiking or biking to truly relax when I could make the time.

But would I recommend that you pursue aerospace engineering - ABSOLUTELY! If you think that's what you want to do with your career, make it happen! You'll have to make some tough choices and sacrifices to be successful, but in the end, it WILL be worth it!