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He specializes in machining technologies. Which company Jiří Hruška will join after completing his studies at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at UWB is still unknown – he still has time to decide. He plans to apply for a master’s program to continue his machining projects. What does he think students should prepare for at FST?

• What surprised you more on your first day at university—the difficulty of the subjects or the price of lunch in the cafeteria?
  I was most surprised by the freedom of studying. If someone doesn’t want to, they don’t have to attend lectures or seminars. You can adjust your schedule to fit your needs. I also found it interesting that professors tried to explain things in a simple way – even in math, they started with the basics like equations and limits. It wasn’t a brutal jump from high school; we built up gradually.
  
  
• If you had to describe your field as a movie genre, would it be a thriller, comedy, or sci-fi?
  Sometimes, it’s completely crazy – so definitely sci-fi. One moment I’m working on mechanics, the next on statics. There are so many fields we have to go through. Right now, I have a broad knowledge of different subjects but no deep expertise in any of them yet. I expect to specialize more in the master’s program or directly in a company.
  
  
• What's your best survival trick for exam season?
  Stay calm if an exam doesn’t go well. There’s always a second or third chance, so no need to panic.
  
  
• What was your biggest "I see" moment during your studies? Is there something you wish you had known in your first year?
  Probably about exams. I can withdraw if I don’t feel ready. I have five attempts to register for an exam and three chances to actually take it. In high school, teachers made university exams sound like the final high school exam, where you only get one shot per year. Here, I can take an exam on Tuesday and then again on Thursday if needed.
  
  
• If you could give your first-year self one piece of advice, what would it be?
  Definitely, try to study consistently throughout the semester. Don’t slack off and then cram everything during exam season. I’d also be more active in practical classes. That way, I could study for an exam in 2–3 days instead of a whole week.
  
  
• Imagine you have 30 seconds to convince a prospective student to choose your faculty. What would your "ad" sound like?
  The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering is a technical field where you create tangible things. You can design a structure, develop a component, and in machining technology, you actually manufacture it. In the end, these components are everywhere around us. Think about it – when you travel to school or work, your vehicle consists of countless mechanical parts. That’s why studying mechanical engineering is worth it.
  
  
• What’s the biggest myth about university studies that you’d like to debunk?
  That university students are just bar-hopping slackers. The studies are often so demanding that it’s impossible to keep up if you’re always partying. Those who try usually drop out in the first year.
  
  
• If you could add one random subject to your study programme, what would it be and why?
  Probably something about the arms industry. I’m a hunter and used to be passionate about airsoft. I’d also love aviation, so designing aircraft would be interesting.
  
  
• What is more challenging – understanding mechanics or explaining what you study to your family and friends?
  Definitely understanding mechanics. Memorizing formulas won’t help, because even small modifications to a problem change the whole solution. Understanding the mechanics behind it is essential.
  
  

Studying during the day or late-night cramming?
Daytime studying – nothing sticks in my head at night.

Cafeteria or instant noodles?
Canteen – it offers variety and is way better than instant noodles.

Front row in a lecture or in the back by the power outlet?
Somewhere in the middle. If I’m attending a lecture, I want to be engaged. Plus, the front row is for the nerds.

Group projects or doing everything solo?
Group projects – but only with active teammates. I once worked in a group of four, but only two of us actually did the work.

Oral or written exams?
Written – I get more time to think.

Early exam or last-minute?
I plan for early exams, but in reality, it usually ends up being last-minute.

You can apply for a bachelor’s program at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at UWB until April 21, 2025. The faculty offers two main study programs with various specializations, as well as five follow-up master’s programs (Ing.). Don’t wait – start your application here!