First Year Resources

Here are several resources for first-year engineers. I appreciate credit if sharing. Otherwise, have at em, bucko.

Linear Algebra Study Guide

The Linear Algebra Study Guide is a 64-page study guide on the entire first year's learning of linear algebra (and more!). It's written in markdown and LaTeX, because no one really wants to read something written in someone else's handwriting.

Includes every theorem and specific example inside Serway et al.'s 11th edition textbook, up to Chapter 8.4.3 (General Linear Transformations). The first year Eng course only goes to Chapter 6 or so, so read the extra part if you wish. Also includes the .md source file, meaning you can open it with a markdown editor like Obsidian to customize and annotate it however you like.

Preview (PDF):

MATH 1ZB3 Study Guide

It's like the Linear Algebra Study Guide but for MATH 1ZB3. It's still written in Markdown and LaTeX, because still no one wants to read something written in someone else's handwriting.

Includes every theorem inside the course textbook, plus some extra! Also includes the .md source file, meaning you can open it with a markdown editor like Obsidian to customize and annotate it however you like.

Preview (PDF):

Physics 1D03 Notes

These are my class notes from PHYSICS 1D03, based on the slideshows instead of textbook. They are much less organized than the Linear Algebra Study Guide, but may be useful.

Preview (PDF):

Physics 1E03 Formula Sheet Explainer

The PHYSICS 1E03 formula sheet is big. Sometimes, especially when you're starting out, you might not be able to tell which equations are for what and how to use them. So, I put together this sheet, that goes through every single equation on the (2025) version of the formula sheet. It explains what the variables are and contains notes on their usage from my experience in the course.

Preview (PDF):

CHEM 1E03 Missing Formula Sheet

The CHEM 1E03 formula sheet is not big. As such, some important formulas, especially from any unit that isn't Unit 1, are missing for no good reason. While preparing for the final exam, I made a small list of them. It is not comprehensive.

Preview (PDF):

CHEM 1E03 Lab Scripts

Some of the CHEM 1E03 labs are annoying. Really, really annoying. For the online labs in particular, they can be clunky, require lots and lots of tries, and just be so damn slow for no reason. If you know what I'm talking about when I say "hold down up arrow for 20 seconds just for 100mL of water", you know what I'm talking about.

So, I made a Github repository with Python scripts to do the calculations for 3 of the 5 labs. Labs 1 and 2 aren't that bad, so I didn't make scripts for those.

Cuisine Article

I wrote a 4k word article about most of the food spots on campus at McMaster. If you don't know what to get just yet, you can refer to it.

Playlist

Over 48 hours and 700+ songs (and counting) I used to get through first year. I'm still updating it with new albums and artists. Contains everything from drone to ambient to fantasy cinematic music to trance to sound collages. If you're not into one or more of those things copy the playlist and make it your own. Can't hurt to put it out there.

You might feel like you fell off from high school. You might feel like you never were 'up' in high school and shouldn't be here.

That was then. We're all here now.

What you do now is what matters.

Eat well, sleep well, go for a walk, make friends, join clubs (please!), talk to the people sitting beside you, go to lecture (yes, even the 8:30s), do the LONCAPAs early, don't buy the textbooks unless you're really sure you actually need them because you can just get them online for a lot less.

And, most crucially, never wear identifying clothing in Dr. Nejat's lectures.

From one (former) Eng 1 to another,
Good luck. ♡

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