Monash University, Mechanical Engineering and Economics, Mietta Levingston

Name: Mietta Levingston

Age: 21

College / University: Monash University

Major: Mechanical Engineering and Economics

Country origin: Australia

What did you do in high school to prepare you for this major? Tell us about your extracurricular activities and any honors/awards you received while preparing for university.

During high school, I studied English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, French, and English Literature, as these subjects closely aligned with my goal of pursuing an engineering major. These subjects provided the essential foundation and prerequisites for admission into my double degree. Over the years, I received a few awards for academic excellence, and I also graduated as the top of my chemistry class in my final year of school. I also enjoyed playing sports and participated in several sports teams throughout my years in high school.

Please tell us your daily life schedule as a student with this major in your university.

On average, I spend two days per week attending classes on campus, and a third day in the library working on pre-class work, assignments, or studying for tests and exams. I usually meet my friends for lunch before or after class. As class times can vary significantly and can fall anywhere between 8 am and 8 pm, this sometimes means that my days on campus are very long. As I am a member of a student team, I also attend meetings to discuss our projects and do testing in our workshop when I am on campus. I also work two jobs during the rest of the week.

How do you manage your stress? What's the secret?

I try to stay as organised as possible and keep notes on everything. This can be difficult, but I find that if I spend just 5 minutes per day working on scheduling and setting up tasks, it ultimately saves me a lot of time. I also ensure that I get enough sleep and never stay up late studying. Finally, I always make sure to remind myself that I am doing my best! Even though university is stressful at times, I am really lucky to be able to pursue a career in a field I enjoy so much.

What advice would you give high school students wanting to study this major?

For a career in engineering, having a strong foundation in practical physics and maths is essential, so study these subjects during school if you can. Equally important, yet often overlooked, are communication skills, which are a common trait of successful engineers. Engaging in extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, or teams that align with your personal interests will not only help you develop teamwork and interpersonal skills but will also make your school experience more enjoyable.

What was the most helpful when applying to college for this major?

For me, it was important to study English, maths, and physics in my final years of high school and earn sufficient marks to be accepted into my course. However, every university is different, so I would recommend reading the information provided by the universities you are interested in and ensuring you can meet any requirements they have.

If there is an app/website/social media account that you love or follow related to your major, could you share the link?

Monash Nova Rover

Thank you to Mietta Levingston!

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