In Thomas Lukauskis’ pursuit of his Bachelor of Science (Mechanical Engineering) studies at the Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT), he highlights the flexibility of the online program, praising its adaptability to his needs.
Managing classes from Cali, in Colombia, Lukauskis discusses overcoming time zone challenges and managing his studies effectively. Addressing his attention deficit disorder (ADD) diagnosis, he explains how EIT’s structure supports his learning style.
Insights From Thomas Lukauskis
How has your experience been studying an online Bachelor of Science (Mechanical Engineering) at EIT, and what aspects of the program do you find most beneficial for your learning style?
My experience studying at EIT has been good, the extremely flexible study style is very important for me.
Being able to join classes multiple times a week or watch recorded classes if needed is great. But most importantly for me, the projects and homework combined with open book assessment means no unnecessary work is required to get good grades.
There are times in which our exams are IRIS invigilated.
Living in Colombia, how do you manage the time zone difference for online classes and assignments?
All classes I have taken until now had at least one lecture at a convenient time and personally, as I have very few outside obligations apart from university, I have had no issues with time zones.
Can you share why EIT stood out to you in comparison to other options?
When I was a kid, I had problems with regular school stuff. From elementary to high school, my grades were bad because I didn’t do much homework. I wanted a college that didn’t have extra subjects like history or art.
Given that many of your classmates are working professionals, how do you think the flexibility of EIT has influenced your ability to manage your studies alongside your personal commitments?
The flexibility of EIT is so good that you could work at any time of the day or the week and still be able to achieve great marks. The flexibility of EIT also allowed me to get my private pilot’s license while continuing my studies.
As a student diagnosed with ADD, how has EIT’s structure and approach supported you in overcoming challenges?
Having ADD means my brain doesn’t always cooperate when I need to focus.
Maybe today’s a bad day, but in two days, I might be super focused and catch up.
Open-book assessments make it easier for me to stay current. I don’t have to memorize every little thing; I just need to understand the topic, do the problems, and then check my notes for details and formulas.
Can you explain how focusing on essential tests, without extra classes, aligns with your academic and career goals?
I don’t mind learning different things, but I like doing it my way and on my own time.
Engaging in additional tasks related to subjects I’m not passionate about becomes more challenging for me due to my ADD. It may seem counterintuitive, but my brain finds it tougher to focus on simpler tasks.
Most universities make you take basic classes that might be interesting but aren’t needed for your future job. I chose not to do those extra classes because they’re a struggle for me.
In what ways do you find the open-book assessments at EIT to be advantageous for your learning style and academic performance?
When exams are near, I review all the class topics in Moodle to make sure I can solve the problems on my own.
During the exam, it’s clear I’ve learned the information without needing small details, which I can look up online. In other universities, missing a detail could affect your grade a lot, but these details are easy to find online. I think all universities should have open-book assessments like EIT.
How do you stay engaged and motivated in an online learning environment, and are there specific strategies you’ve found effective?
I’m not always into the pre-recorded or live tutorials, but the good thing about EIT is I can watch them again whenever I feel more focused.
What’s important by the end of the course is if you really learned everything, not when or how you learned it.
The tutorials have examples, and if I can do them on my own, I know I get the concepts.
What advice would you give to other students who may be considering an unconventional university path or are facing similar challenges with ADD?
Universities, like EIT, have good and bad sides, especially online.
If your schedule is completely open, and you don’t have any learning issues, joining an in-person university is better.
It helps with connections and socializing. If you’re working or have a busy life, online universities like EIT are a great choice.
Lastly, if you’ve had trouble with homework and think you’re just lazy, get tested for ADD.
Has EIT helped you in your professional career by any means or do you think it will one day?
I believe it’s crucial to learn and practice in situations that resemble real life, and many universities don’t fully embrace this approach.
EIT allows you to utilize essential resources to address problems effectively. Additionally, I believe it’s crucial for online studies to not solely rely on group work, as this approach fosters the development of individual skills. In a professional environment, every individual should be proficient in all aspects of the work, and incorporating group projects can bring together a diverse set of skills.
Looking ahead, how do you envision the skills and knowledge gained from your EIT program contributing to your future career in Mechanical Engineering?
I’m not sure which area of Mechanical Engineering I’ll work in, but with EIT, I focus on solving problems instead of doing lots of homework for grades.
The grades mostly come from exams, so if I do well, I know I can handle any problems related to the topic. It means I’ll be prepared with the knowledge for any engineering area; I might just need more practice in specific situations.