Here you are: taking the first real steps in your journey to becoming a super-cool-real-life-engineer. For many (myself included), it often felt like the key to success in high school was good grades, hard work, and dedication. But now that you’re in university, you may be wondering if that’s still true… and luckily, it isn’t (in my opinion, at least).

Success goes far beyond your GPA. In fact, many of the engineers I look up to had mediocre grades at best (many with the occasional academic probation). However, these people are all over the world running companies, innovating the next AI model, becoming lawyers & doctors, and building ACTUAL rockets. All of these people had different paths of success. It’s extremely important for all of us students to understand that there is no single formula to being successful; rather, we have to be able to identify what we’re passionate about (our personal success) and take steps to fulfil that passion.

I (a super cool and very wise upper year) made this guidebook to help you with your mission of personal success. Whether it’s academics, making valuable connections, meeting new people, or getting involved with extracurriculars, I hope there’s at least one resource here that will help you along your way.