It’s almost over!!!
This year has been a whirlwind of emotions, PTSD from writing group reports, intense caffeine withdrawals and late nights questioning my existence. But despite the hurdles, this year has been one of true ✨character development 📖 and full of moments that have helped me morph closer into my dream engineer-self.
Tearing up as I write this (why do I literally have 10 Canvas assignments due this week?! PLS HELP 💀), this is officially my final post! 😢. And what better way to wrap up than some highlights (aka aestheticised trauma-dumping… jkjk), final tips and takeaway prompts!
📣 Introducing…
🌟 MY 2025 HIGHLIGHTS! 🌟
Each of these experiences taught me something valuable about who I want to be and how I want to grow as an engineer.
Becoming the engineer I want to be (based on the lessons I learned this year)
1. One Who is Self-Aware and Confident: Learning to Trust My Gut 🤎
You know yourself better than anyone else. I realised that no one else knows my strengths, passions, and limits better than I do. Trusting my gut didn’t mean ignoring advice; rather, it meant having the self-belief to choose what felt right for me. Despite the initial uncertainty I felt, making the informed decision of switching specialisations amplified my self-confidence to another level. Through this experience, I learned that becoming an engineer is so much more than being a good problem-solver. We are also visionaries of both the world and ourselves through our self-awareness, confidence, creativity and reliability.
2. One Who is Curious and Open to Learn: Putting Myself Out There 📣
If something sparks your curiosity, apply for it. Go to that info session. Join that club. Send that email. Seriously, you never know where a simple “why not?” might take you. This year, I pushed myself to step outside my comfort zone and say yes more often, and it opened doors I didn’t even know existed. Curiosity is one of the best traits an engineer can have. It’s what keeps you learning and growing both personally and professionally.
3. One Who is Resilient and Imperfect: Learning to Embrace Imposter Syndrome 🎭
There were definitely moments this year where I felt like I was passing away instead of actually passing 💀. I would sit in lectures thinking everyone else had it all figured out while I was lowkey guessing and hoping for the best 😭. I used to be scared to ask questions with the fear that it would make me appear “dumb.” But I realised that asking questions is an active display of curiosity, engagement and is one of the most effective ways to learn. And honestly? Most people are just as confused as you are (except for that crowd that never shows up to lectures but still somehow ends up with A+s). Being unsure and uncomfortable are feelings that initiate growth and resilience. Rather than perceiving imposter syndrome as a bad thing, I realised that it might just be the key ingredient to engineering success.
4. One Who is More Than Just an Engineer: Making Time for My Hobbies 🎨
Engineering can easily take over your entire life if you let it, and I definitely almost did. But making time for my hobbies has genuinely kept me grounded. Whether it’s reading before bed, going to a workout class, or writing embarrassingly personal blog posts on a public domain (💀), these small actions have made my time as a uni student far less stressful and actually kind of even enjoyable. I learned that who you are beyond engineering shapes the kind of engineer you become; one who is creative, empathetic, healthy and mentally sane (lol).
With this year (finally 😩) coming to an end, I have been thinking a lot about how I could grow both academically and personally in the future. Here are some prompts I have been using to guide my goal-setting for 2026. Feel free to use them too!
2026 Goal Setting: Becoming THAT Engineering Student 💅🏽🧠🧩
📖 Academic:
- How can I make my learning process feel more enjoyable and engaging?
- What challenges did I struggle with this year, and how can I approach them differently next time?
- Is there a project, research area, or subject that actually excites me? How can I get involved in it?
👭🏽 Social:
- How can I surround myself with people who inspire and support me?
- What’s one way I can put myself out there socially (clubs, volunteering, networking, or just saying yes to more things)?
- How can I be a better teammate, friend, or mentor?
🤸🏽 Health & Wellbeing:
- What habits would help me feel grounded and calm when things get stressful?
- How can I set boundaries to protect my energy during busy times?
- What does “balance” actually look like for me next year in practice?
💗 Personal Growth:
- What kind of person do I want to become by the end of 2026?
- If I could achieve one thing that would make me genuinely proud, what would it be and why?
- How can I show myself compassion when things don’t go to plan?
And now it’s officially the end of my blogging era 😢
Thanks to anyone who has read my posts, I really appreciate you <3 Wishing you the best of luck for the years to come!
