A modern undergraduate knows things that would boggle Isaac Newton's mind. This is chiefly due to the fading out of Newtonian physics and the influence of Albert Einstein. There is an old adage that says that we stand on the shoulders of giants. If you want to be a giant like Einstein, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Prepare To Double-Check Your Work
Science is really gaining a foothold in pop-culture. As children of Descartes, the modern person wants to approach the world rationally. This means they will put a lot of trust in scientists. If you want to be a scientist, you will have a tremendous responsibility. People will believe what you say. When you are introducing a new hypothesis, you will have to check your work.
Beyond that, you cannot bypass the peer-review process. Some scientists write popular-level books without publishing their findings in academic journals. This can ruin your reputation. Learn to question yourself.
Do Not Be Afraid To Traverse Mainstream Thought
The most ingenious ideas were those nobody expected. Thinkers such as Copernicus went against the mainstream. Big Bang cosmology was opposed by as eminent of scientists as Fred Hoyle. That is all part of the scientific method. However, that does not mean you should defend an idea to the death just because it is new. More often than not, new ideas are bad. Follow the evidence where it leads. If that takes you outside of the mainstream, then follow it.
Understand The Influence of Philosophy
Some scientists make glaring mistakes because they do not understand the influence of philosophy. Philosophy is not just about asking abstract questions of meaning and purpose in life. Some philosophers define it as the love of wisdom. It extends to virtually every scientific discipline.
Academics make the distinction between first order and second order questions. A first order question will stand on its own. It might be something like, "How do these chemicals interact?" A second order question will be a derivative of the first order question. It is a question about the question. It is something like, "Why do these chemicals exhibit this reaction?" These (and many other) philosophical categories will be necessary in your scientific pursuits.
Education
After your friends have established their careers, you will still be in school. You might be pursuing an electrical engineering masters online. Your life will essentially be dedicated to education.
Science is the driving force in technology and humanity's understanding of the natural world. Be prepared to dedicate your life to it.
