Computer Science at university - tips?

Zephyz · 30 Aug 2014 at 04:05

I'm starting university next month and I will be doing Computer Science with a year in industry (Basically, in my third year, I will do a year-long internships)?

Any current computer science students or grads want to give me tips for what lies ahead?

GSVBagpuss · 30 Aug 2014 at 06:52

Not sure on Comp Sci but the year in industry was the best thing I ever did - gave me a chance to try a field of work (and them try me), earn some cash and bemore employable when I graduated.

Burnsy2023 · 30 Aug 2014 at 07:51

What uni are you at?

Randomface74 · 30 Aug 2014 at 08:04

Get a reading list as early as possible.
Read everything as early as possible.
Start all coursework as early as possible.
Smash as many pasties as possible.

This is the difference between getting a 1st and 2.1/2.2.

Skeeter · 30 Aug 2014 at 09:53

Good call on the year out. My placement year is what got me my first job after Uni, the degree itself was pretty irrelevant other than being in a related subject area.

Mason- · 30 Aug 2014 at 10:28

Make sure it's what you want to do.

dowie · 30 Aug 2014 at 10:47

Year out is useful for the reasons mentioned... it's not necessarily the optimum solution if you're particularly ambitious... summer internships probably provide that...

Like another poster pointed out - get started on things as early as possible - start coursework early, practice past papers early... makes things easier nd less stressful for yourself.

daz · 30 Aug 2014 at 10:52

When it comes to coding, you learn so much more by doing rather than reading. So try to use what you've learned in practice as soon as possible after a lecture or workshop.

RDM · 30 Aug 2014 at 10:59

Get to know the other people on your course, find the ones that are serious about getting a first, start working with them.

Practice, practice, practice. Do stuff outside of lectures and workshops to develop your skill set. Read around the subject as much as you can.

Find out what programming languages you are going to be looking at in the first year, start learning their syntax.

Have fun.

Nymins · 30 Aug 2014 at 11:01

Placement year is great, just finished mine at the end of June there.

Do coursework as early as possible. Attend all the lectures and practical classes and do what they ask of you in projects. Do that and a 1st is easy enough. There will be group projects and inevitably 'that guy' will be in your group who does nothing (I experienced this every time we had a group project). Ignore and do the work for them if needed to get a good grade.

[FnG]magnolia · 30 Aug 2014 at 11:13

Spend all of your student loan money on guitars, amplifiers and beer. Then annoy everyone by getting a first.

sniffy · 30 Aug 2014 at 14:16

Definitely do the placement.

Nymins said:
There will be group projects and inevitably 'that guy' will be in your group who does nothing (I experienced this every time we had a group project). Ignore and do the work for them if needed to get a good grade.

The work will probably need to be done but if you clearly outline people's responsibilities in the early stages then individual shortcomings become evident when it comes to assessment. Don't give blaggers an easy ride.

Strife212 · 30 Aug 2014 at 14:17

Computer Science at university - tips?

dont

Kreeeee · 30 Aug 2014 at 14:21

swillsy · 30 Aug 2014 at 14:26

Treat uni as a job - work 8-9 hours a day - enjoy the rest and you'll be fine!

I never did this and ended up always cramming work in on the run up to exams and wish someone had told me the above and it would have been a breeze.

Get projects done as soon as possible,then chill - not the reverse

Zephyz · 30 Aug 2014 at 14:54

Thanks for your responses and tips, really helpful.

Burnsy2023 said:
What uni are you at?

Queen Mary, University of London

RDM said:
Get to know the other people on your course, find the ones that are serious about getting a first, start working with them.

Practice, practice, practice. Do stuff outside of lectures and workshops to develop your skill set. Read around the subject as much as you can.

Find out what programming languages you are going to be looking at in the first year, start learning their syntax.

Have fun.

I know some python and I've been using that during the summer. The university will be teaching Java.

dowie said:
Year out is useful for the reasons mentioned... it's not necessarily the optimum solution if you're particularly ambitious... summer internships probably provide that...

Like another poster pointed out - get started on things as early as possible - start coursework early, practice past papers early... makes things easier nd less stressful for yourself.

I was looking at summer internships but I don't think I'll be able to get one after my first year.

Strife212 said:
dont

Don't what?

dowie · 30 Aug 2014 at 15:04

not sure why you don't think you'd be able to get a summer internship?

Also have you considered a dual honors computer science and maths degree?

lukeharvest · 30 Aug 2014 at 15:18

dowie said:
not sure why you don't think you'd be able to get a summer internship?

Also have you considered a dual honors computer science and maths degree?

Depends on the industry. Some summer internships are aimed to be done in the summer of the penultimate year.

Zephyz · 30 Aug 2014 at 15:32

dowie said:
not sure why you don't think you'd be able to get a summer internship?

Also have you considered a dual honors computer science and maths degree?

I meant I wouldn't be able to get one until my second year because I read getting an summer internship after your first year is incredibly difficult, although I may be wrong.

Judgeneo · 30 Aug 2014 at 15:35

dowie said:
not sure why you don't think you'd be able to get a summer internship?

Also have you considered a dual honors computer science and maths degree?

Although potentially better than pure comp sci, so not do this unless you genuinely love maths. I've seen many people do maths at uni and end up hating it.