Software for learning structural analysis and FEM?

[ramzerimar]

I'm in the third semester of mechanical engineering and I'm taking classes on engineering statics right now. Our professor said the he will give us a preview of finite element methods at the end of the semester.
Which softwares would you recommend for learning basic structural analysis? I mean, I'm learning all the theory at college but I would like to play with some simple projects and simulations while I learn. I know a little bit of C and already played with Matlab and Mathematica. I've also heard about Autodesk Simulation Mechanical.
So, any hints?

 

[MarkJW]

Most universties have Ansys, some have Abaqus. I believe both Autodesk and Solidworks student versions have some FEA in them.