Mumma said:
But how do you exponentially increase from 0?
Generally, considering an average engineering workload, how many hours? I really would like to know what to expect.
seriously unless you know what you are aiming for in terms of academic results / social hours + how good you're at the particular area + how fast do you understand things etc the "hours per week" estimate we can give you will be no better than of one that is out of a hat.
You understand what are pass / credit average / distinction grades, WAMs ?
Consider you are aiming for credit average, which means a WAM of around 70%.
If you are very good at understanding physics and maths, then you will probably going to spend an extra 6 hours per week (probably 2/3 hours in first few weeks, 10 in the next few weeks when tests and assignments are due, then like a week of cramming before exam per subjects)
If you are not quick at understanding concepts, or you not up with the lecture pace / skip lectures, than the time required will be sort of double.
Then the next thing is are you motivated at uni or not. Unlike high school, only major works contributes to final mark and all and you probably going to have only two per subjects each last two weeks or so. How much time you need to do them will depend how much homework you do on your own. No body will be checking your homework and stuff.
So, for 1st year engineering, you are unlikely to have time for work unless youi are ready to sacrifice assignment time and get low grades.