As an early-career engineer, I sometimes feel overwhelmed by new information and concepts, but I've found a phrase that helps me keep my cool: "I'm not expected to know this yet." This phrase is written on a sticky note attached to my monitor and reminds me that it's okay to not have all the answers. To stay on top of learning and retention, I use various strategies such as keeping a journal of topics to research later, asking questions at the right time, seeking help from more experienced team members, learning at my own pace, identifying opportunities to learn and take advantage of them, and finding a mentor. These strategies have helped me develop a skill to parse information, learn, and retain knowledge while maintaining realistic expectations. By adopting these approaches, early-career engineers can also benefit from managing their expectations and staying positive as they navigate complex topics.