Actually, I see the lecturer saying "yes, you probably did" as being a good sign. Again, my husband, when he took "strength of materials" (what we refer to as "bridge building" :-) everyone failed and yet he got a "C". I think the problems are harder than you can do and people are struggling along with you, more than you think. That they're partying doesn't mean they're caught up and understand and have things right, necessarily.

It is too bad you have to figure out some stuff you haven't been taught yet, the chemistry and all. Can you ask a mate to tutor you a bit? I hope you'll find there are things you know that they don't necessarily. I think a lot of first year classes are to "get rid of" those who aren't seriously interested and had the wrong idea what it took to be an engineer or be in college, etc.

I was thinking about you the other day. My husband's niece is in a special architecture program that's 6 years instead of 4-5. She did the 4 year thing and "graduated" this past May and now is in London doing a preceptorship! Anyway, this past spring semester she took a mandolin-making course (architectural design :-) http://www.media.rice.edu/media/News...nID=1773704936 (not my husband's niece, just another co-student). But I thought you'd enjoy that concept, making them design mandolins :-)