<p>From years of observation I finally deduced that Greasy Pizza + Data + Cup o’ Coffee = Happy Engineer</p>
<p>But in all honesty if you’re proactive in getting your work done then you’ll have plenty of time to experience everything college has to offer. I’m taking 5 classes this semester with 4 labs. I’ve trained myself to get up at 8am everyday and jump straight to work. I’m usually done by mid-afternoon, then study a bit for the LSATs, go to the gym, and finally just screw around at night. Ooooo such a departure from freshman year…</p>
<p>It certainly does enrich your life - you learn to appreciate your free time, which results in you participating in more fulfilling activities. Life is just more fun when you’re awake. Compensation is nice too. For the Tufts Class of 2008 the mean starting salary with only a BA in EE or CompE was $76k. I don’t know what they are for other engineers but I’d imagine it wouldn’t be much less.</p>