Strengths:
I am passionate about becoming a mechanical engineer; I have never wanted to be anything else.
I have lots of the hands on skills which just like in maths, you need to know how to do the basic calculations rather than just plugging into the calculator. I am restoring a Land Rover, this is showing me so many theories by looking and handling the components, then modifying or fabricating my own.
I have done work experience at Ford a few summers ago, in the test labs watching a few components being tested.
I have worked on a farm for the past few summers, the large equipment really interests me... what it can do and how much thought must have gone into their design.
Weaknesses:
I am can be single minded, for example a have had difficulty changing how I put my ideas down in coursework... I like to design in my head, and then just develop that one design. The course work wanted me to show the thinking i had already done in my head. I am a lot better at this now, but I think I may need to keep a watch out.
I am dyslexic, because of this I have limitations on the way I learn. I may have to go few times before I understand; I struggle to learn from reading textbooks. I learn better if it’s explained to me then i do worked examples.
Because imp practically minded i struggle to understand why i would need to know about certain theories. When i know why and where you would use these theories in real life i can see the reasons for learning it.
Opportunities:
I think university life will be a lot closer to what happens in the real world. In university it’s up to me about putting the effort in to get the self-study done and my assignments in on time. This is what an employer would expect of me, they won’t hold my hand every step of the way.
I may find links for work experience which could lead to a job after graduation.
Threats:
I worry that as imp dyslexic and it may take me longer to revise or to self-study or to do my coursework and i will feel inundated with work and find I’m struggling to keep going or to do anything outside university.