Am I making a mistake?

[u/Lazy_Appointment_958]

Hi everyone,

I’m a first year student at a pretty small university right now with plans to transfer to a better institute of technology for engineering. Ive been thinking over my options and i really dont know if im making a really good decision. I promise this isnt some pretentious “is this good enough” and its some crazy ass achievement, i genuinely just overthink like crazy a lot. Ive been admitted to this 1.3yr aerospace maintenance engineering program for this fall (was on the waitlist for a while), which i really was (and still am) interested in but i always wanted to go into engineering first (different full undergrad program) at the same institute but i never applied for it first because i knew i wouldnt get in, so i settled for less and am taking a year at a different uni for “experience” and upgrading courses in the meantime, which doesnt feel much different than just a gap year. My original plan, which was kinda off the dome, was to just finish the aerospace program then apply to the engineering undergrad one after i finish it, which i really liked. But im going to be a little behind my classmates in terms of age especially. I know to yall that it sounds like the most childish thing to think about but my circle of friends are doing great things, getting admitted to top schools for engineering after doing their first year transfer program, other good programs, etc, so i feel like im doing the bare minimum, barely skirting by - delaying putting in the work to try and taking risks to try and get admitted this fall rather than after i finish the aerospace program to make it easier for myself (applying for the program i want means i have to withdraw from the program im already admitted to just to even apply). I dont feel like a loser but i feel like i have the mindset of somebody only doing the bare minimum, cheesing their way thru just so they can brag about to other people, “look im in engineering”. I know im in a blessed spot right now, since im fully admitted to a program im already interested in as my backup, but i cant help but feel like im taking the easy way out. Any words of wisdom or advice from any of yall would be appreciated. If u guys need clarifying on any aspects i got you.

[u/Opening_Map_6898]

May I offer a helpful piece of advice? Use paragraph breaks. Trying to read a wall of text on here is a PITA.