1. Start with Foundations
   • Dynamics & Vibrations: Watch Engineering Dynamics (2.003SC) lectures to solidify motion and oscillations basics. MIT OpenCourseWare+2MIT OpenCourseWare+2YouTube+5YouTube+5MIT OpenCourseWare+5MIT OpenCourseWare+1MIT Learn+4YouTube+4Mechanics and Machines+4MIT OpenCourseWareMIT OpenCourseWare+1MIT OpenCourseWare
   • Statics/Fluid Foundations: Explore Lewin’s hydrostatics and dynamics lecture + Shapiro’s experiments to build intuition. YouTubeMechanics and Machines
2. Dive into Thermodynamics
   • Use Advanced Thermodynamics (Spring 2024) for a comprehensive and rigorous course. MIT OpenCourseWare+1
3. Progress to Fluid Mechanics
   • Move through Fluid Dynamics (undergrad) → Advanced Fluid Mechanics (grad level) to layer conceptual and analytical depth. MIT OpenCourseWare+1
4. Hands-On / Tool Skills
   • Watch Mechanical Engineering Tools (IAP) to connect simulation and theory with physical tool use. MIT OpenCourseWare
5. Brain-Friendly Learning
   • Sprinkle in visual and demo-based videos like Euler/Lagrangian descriptions or Lewin's fluid examples to reinforce understanding. YouTube+3YouTube+3YouTube+3YouTube
6. OCW as Backbone
   • Use MIT OCW courses as your landing point for full sets — slides, problem sets, exams, and video lectures. YouTube+15MIT OpenCourseWare+15YouTube+15Mechanics and Machines+8Wikipedia+8YouTube+8

• Dynamics/Statics: Engineering Mechanics (Statics & Dynamics) — Meriam & Kraige. Clear derivations, widely used; often preferred over Hibbeler by many threads. Reddit+2Reddit+2
• Mechanics of Materials (solids): Applied Mechanics of Solids — Allan Bower. Continuum, derivation-heavy, with free companion notes/codes; praised across FEA/solids threads. Reddit+2Reddit+2
• Thermodynamics (foundational/axiomatic): Thermodynamics and an Introduction to Thermostatistics — Callen. Physics-first development; repeatedly recommended for deep understanding. Reddit+2Reddit+2
• Fluid mechanics (derivational): Fluid Mechanics — Frank M. White (undergrad→early grad), or Fluid Mechanics — Kundu, Cohen & Dowling (more theoretical). Both get frequent nods; pick White for breadth/clarity, Kundu for physics flavor. Reddit+2Reddit+2
• Heat transfer: Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer — Incropera et al. Universally cited as the go-to; rigorous and comprehensive. Reddit+1
• Controls (scientist/engineer friendly): Feedback Systems — Åström & Murray (open access). Repeatedly recommended in control communities for first-principles insight. Reddit+2Reddit+2
• Design/reference: Shigley’s Mechanical Engineering Design (+ Roark’s Formulas for Stress & Strain for closed-form stresses). Standard “ME bibles” on Reddit. Reddit+1