Dealing with the fact that you study Computer Science at uni...

Neb

Neb

Neb

Associate
Joined
5 Dec 2004
Posts
254
Picture this scenario:

You are successfully socialising! Something most geeks only but dream of, and you're holding an, almost, interesting conversation with someone!

Then comes the dreaded question..

'So, what are you studying at uni?'

This question is always followed by a brief pause, where you consider your options...

a) Lie! They don't need to know about your intimacy with computers! Tell them you're doing a degree in Marine Biology or training to become a lion tamer!

b) Tell the truth, but before they even have a chance to change that smile into a frown you insist that you know how boring it is and that you're only doing it because it pays well.... honest!

c) Tell the whole truth, that you study CS and actually enjoy it. You can live with that fact that 9/10 people will suddently remember that.. thing they left... somewhere and have to go get.

d) Take a deep sigh, tell them it was nice to meet them and go find a nice comfy seat in the corner.


Ok, so perhaps I've exaggerated a bit... well, a lot.. but still, is it just me or is computer science the biggest conversation killer known to man? How do you deal with it? 95% of people blatently won't be interested in CS, so how do you make it appeal? Do you try and change their minds and convince them that a night in programming can be fun?

I've gone all extremist again, but hopefully someone can relate to the point I'm trying to make!

Incidently I am off to study CS in October, so I'm not just here to start a fight!
 
I think you'll find it is more acceptable than you think. The trouble is that you become technical support for everybody that you know :p

I'm not really bothered what people think. I am a Computer Scientist and I enjoy it. If they can't understand that, well then they are not worth my time.
 
Neb said:
Picture this scenario:

You are successfully socialising! Something most geeks only but dream of, and you're holding an, almost, interesting conversation with someone!
Click to expand...

I thought the above and being a Comp Sci were mutually exclusive, so there's nothing to worry about :D
 
Last edited:
Joke about it being geeky. I'm a normal sociable approachable guy, and when people asked me what i did i would just laugh it off and comment on the grimace on their face.
 
I honestly just be me. If people don't like the fact I study comp sci I couldn't care for them either. I just tell the truth and say I enjoy it. I won't bring it into conversation unless someone asks me what I study though, or if I do it will be self-depreciation in the name of humour :).

Its pretty interesting though how many people actaully go, thats cool, or you must be clever? You will be suprised. A few girls have said that to me, not sure if that was genuine or not to hurt my feelings though :).

Girl wise, I mainly go for geek girls anyhow, and most of them think its quite cool :)

Im not "that" anti-social, but I am pretty introverted I guess.
 
Yeah, there's nothing that stops a conversation faster than saying your studying for a computing degree!

Ahhh well, i didn't find it too bad amongst all the marine biologists and oceanography people i solicalised with at uni :D Just make sure you don't just hang around with the computing group throughout your time there!

Oh and you have time to swap courses. Do it now... and i'm not joking either.
 
tell them!!!!

also what does comp sci actualy involve at uni?
hows it different from the other comp degrees, it seems to be available EVERYWHERE!
 
VeNT said:
tell them!!!!

also what does comp sci actualy involve at uni?
hows it different from the other comp degrees, it seems to be available EVERYWHERE!
Click to expand...

Lot of discrete mathmatics, proofs, algorithm analysis/design, logic obviously, functional/imperative programming, OS's fundimentals etc..

Thats the basics, then you got the optional stuff like Graphics Programming, Distributed systems, Crypto etc..

Its different from computing degree's because most of them with the exception of imperial just teach programming/hardware and don't go heavily into the maths/theory behind it.

Im not sure when computer science started in uni's but most of the older prof's seem to be mathmaticans by trade.
 
Last edited:
If they ask what I do, I just tell them and don't say anything else about it. No need to say anything else and it's not very likely they'll ask anything else about it.
 
I'm studying Policing (which you'd imagine would be a similar conversation-killer), but I can't really think of anyone that seemed to get iffy about it. Most people are just interested to know what it's about, and where I plan to go with it.

You'll find people are a lot less judgemental in Uni than at school/college. I've found that, anyway.
 
Johanson said:
What exactly does Computer Science involve?
Click to expand...

As far as i could gather from doing 2 terms then dropping out, boring maths which isnt maths more philosophy, being able to use lynix, computer legislation and a bit of programming, with a massive very dull project at the end.
 
I originally started out in Computer Science. Dropped it after a few months as it was too geeky. mathematical and boring :( Moved to oceanography for a few years and now I work in IT!! Go figure.

People always ask me what degree I have and when I say oceanography they ALWAYS follow up with "So why are you working in IT?"
 
Well, i study ITO.. which is IT and business studies effectively.. or CS minus the hardcore programming..

So not only do i get to manage you lot.. i get to look less geeky too :p

But seriously, i didnt think real geeks existed till i went to a Warwick open day.. me and the other business/IT student were the only ones that talked all day.. considering about 15 of us.. the rest just.. needed IRC or something..
 
Last edited:
I know what you mean about the conversation killer. I have no idea why as there are plenty of more geeky subjects, I usually do a) and say i do engineering as it sounds less geeky and i know quite a bit about it so i'm not going to dig a hole for myself if she starts asking questions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom