What would you do? - University

Mason-

Mason-

Mason-

Soldato
Joined
18 Jun 2010
Posts
6,825
Location
Essex
Okay I'm studying computer science at university atm.
When I chose the subject I wanted to do and picked my universities it was when I was doing Computing A-Level and I quite enjoyed it in the first year. So I picked Computer Science to study however my second year of Computing A-Level I hated it, and I have not enjoyed Computer Science at university either, I'm in my second year now. When I arrived at University I looked to see if the university offered maths so that I could transfer to that, Maths has always been the subject I love the most, however they didn't offer Maths at Hull. Now I'm at the end of my second year and I hate it. It's not even like there's parts of my course that I like I just don't like any of it, except the Maths parts and there aren't many of them.

Looking on the website now they do offer Maths. I've sent them an e-mail saying would it even be possible to switch courses. I did do Maths & Further Maths A-Level.

What I'm asking is: I've practically done 2 years of a degree getting a first in both years with barely even trying. I feel as though if I swapped now I'd be wasting 2 years of my life and have 3 more years of student loan, but I'd be much happier doing Maths. Also I could never see me doing a career programming or doing anything related to Computer Science. So should I just stick with it, or do what I really want to do. Going to ring my parents and speak to them about it tonight.

Any advice is appreciated.
 
As a parent with kids at uni, I would ask them to stick at it. What's happens if you then don't like the alternative? I'm not too sure either that if you change course now, you'll be subjected to the higher fees which at the moment, i believe didn't effect you. It's your life of course, you can only be advised. otherwise go with gut instinct but it could cost you in terms of money and sanity.
 
Mason- said:
Okay I'm studying computer science at university atm.
When I chose the subject I wanted to do and picked my universities it was when I was doing Computing A-Level and I quite enjoyed it in the first year. So I picked Computer Science to study however my second year of Computing A-Level I hated it, and I have not enjoyed Computer Science at university either, I'm in my second year now. When I arrived at University I looked to see if the university offered maths so that I could transfer to that, Maths has always been the subject I love the most, however they didn't offer Maths at Hull. Now I'm at the end of my second year and I hate it. It's not even like there's parts of my course that I like I just don't like any of it, except the Maths parts and there aren't many of them.

Looking on the website now they do offer Maths. I've sent them an e-mail saying would it even be possible to switch courses. I did do Maths & Further Maths A-Level.

What I'm asking is: I've practically done 2 years of a degree getting a first in both years with barely even trying. I feel as though if I swapped now I'd be wasting 2 years of my life and have 3 more years of student loan, but I'd be much happier doing Maths. Also I could never see me doing a career programming or doing anything related to Computer Science. So should I just stick with it, or do what I really want to do. Going to ring my parents and speak to them about it tonight.

Any advice is appreciated.
Click to expand...

#yolo

Or more seriously, you do only have one life. As someone that has changed courses (I hate my new course only slightly less than the last), I would caution about changing courses, but seeing as you seem to have a genuine passion for maths (I haven't a passion for any of my subjects) I would say that a move isn't necessarily a bad thing. If it makes you driven and challenges you in something you enjoy, then why not?!
 
Admiral Huddy said:
As a parent with kids at uni, I would ask them to stick at it. What's happens if you then don't like the alternative? I'm not too sure either that if you change course now, you'll be subjected to the higher fees which at the moment, i believe didn't effect you. It's your life of course, you can only be advised. otherwise go with gut instinct but it could cost you in terms of money and sanity.
Click to expand...

I see where you're coming from and I partly agree with it myself the only problem I have is: "Okay I get my degree, now what?" Having a computer science degree I'd be expected to find a job being a software dev or what not. That would be like a living hell for me. I don't find programming hard I just don't like doing it.
 
Mason- said:
I see where you're coming from and I partly agree with it myself the only problem I have is: "Okay I get my degree, now what?" Having a computer science degree I'd be expected to find a job being a software dev or what not. That would be like a living hell for me. I don't find programming hard I just don't like doing it.
Click to expand...

A degree is a degree, whether you follow it's path depends on your chosen career path. We have guys here in our development team ranging from economics, politics and sport science?? none of us have a degree in IT or computer science [may explain a few things].

IMO, it proves you can dedicate yourself to objective and see it through to the end plus it's a means of natural selection among candidates.. Maybe from that you can see my point.

edit - at the end of the day.. If you really aren't happy then leave it.. Just seems like a terrible waste.
 
Stick with it, firstly you will not get a student loan if you redo 2 years(I am speaking from experience), you will not be able to go straight into 2nd or 3rd year (I am speaking from experience) and of course you will have to pay the 9k. However, what you can do, is go to some of the Maths lectures next year, I go to lectures I am not meant to be in all the time.
 
Maths Further Maths Computing Physics AS

also did critical thinking and general studies but they're so meh.
 
If your grades were rubbish as a result of hating it then I'd say quit, but if you are are walking a first then I'd quote Winston Churchill (who was quoting Machiavelli); 'When you are going though Hell, keep going'.

You are over half way there, you may as well finish.

I did a physics degree and hated it, but I still finished it. I then went back and did a business degree.
 
Mason- said:
I see where you're coming from and I partly agree with it myself the only problem I have is: "Okay I get my degree, now what?" Having a computer science degree I'd be expected to find a job being a software dev or what not. That would be like a living hell for me. I don't find programming hard I just don't like doing it.
Click to expand...

I did my degree in Maths and found it very difficult at times. However I stuck it out and in the end I'm glad I did. Upon leaving uni I ended up in a data analysis role with a financial services company. It was the fact I had a degree and my amiable personality (lol) that got me the role as it did not require maths to perform the role. I eventually found myself switching into a SQL Developer role, again not using (very much) maths. I've still got a massive wad of student loan to pay off, however it is coming down slowly.

Stick it out. It will be worth it later in life. Agree with Huddy on all his points.
 
Maybe try for Physics? AS level though so I am not sure whether they would let you transfer but worth a shot.

I did Physics at Hull Uni between 2004-2007 and had an awesome time. The staff are BRILLIANT. I went on to do a physics MSc at the University of Birmingham and it the staff are just nowhere near as good as they were at Hull. Given the choice again, i would still choose Hull. I had a great time. I think the head of the department is Prof Mary O'Neil, but failing that, I believe Dr Martin Buzza is the head of physics admissions so chat to him. He's a nice guy and was my final year project supervisor.
 
By the end of my Computing degree I was sick of it and looking into what other careers I could get into. I decided to give it a go anyway since I had the qualification and I love it, although sometimes I think about more exciting jobs but in the end I fill that need by doing my travelling to dangerous places.

Ultimately I'm saying stick it out.
 
As a guy about to finish his third year, stick at it.

You have one year left but it'll put you in a better position long term. Realistically, what is it you want to do roughly when you leave uni?

A lot of jobs that prefer maths students, won't really discriminate against you because you did CompSci instead.

The bottom line is, one of the major reasons you go to uni is to get a job afterwards. If you drop out, you also have the issue of that on your CV (doesn't necessarily look good)....

kd
 
I had the same sort of issue when I was in university. 3 years into a 6/7 year course I found I hated medical school. I decided to finish it and then moved on to bigger and better things after uni.

Its only one more year finish it and then do a Maths related masters if you want.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom