Bachelor in Computer Science - Ohio Wesleyan University - (Winner)
Editors Note: This student story essay was selected as 2nd place winner from BrainTrack's Computer Science Scholarship for Spring, 2011. At the time of submittal this winner, Pedro Reveles, was studying for a Bachelor in Computer Science and Mathematics at Ohio Wesleyan University.
Wishes Had Known | Advice on Career | Study TipsWhat do you wish you had known about selecting and entering your business school that would be helpful to others going into computer science?
Picking the place that is going to become your home for the next four years is not a decision that you should make without taking into account what your life is going to be like there. College is the place where you learn to appreciate education as the gift that it truly is. You’re going to transition into the stage of your life where you finally get to decide exactly what it is you want to learn. This is why when selecting a school to pursue your computer science education you should most definitely consider what courses, research opportunities, and extra curricular opportunities they offer pertaining to your specific interest in computer science.
Although these things may currently not be on your mind, when you finally arrive at your university your going to wish you considered these things before having made your final decision. In college you get to decide what courses to take, so the more variety there is the better your experience will be. It is vital to look into their course catalogue and examine if they offer the courses you want to take. And if you’re not exactly sure what classes you want to take, make sure you have a selection you wouldn’t mind choosing from.
You must also look into the size of your classes. More students equals less one-on-one time with your instructors. You’re going to want to build a relationship with these people. The more time you get to interact with them the better. They are the ones that get to decide what grades you get and whether or not they want you to work with them on research projects.
Research opportunities are important for numerous reasons. This is where you actually get to apply the knowledge that you have acquired. You get the opportunity to gain professional experience that dazzles up your resume. When you apply to graduate school, they will be impressed that you have actually had real world experience. If your not currently looking as far as graduate school, know that this added experience will pave your way to scholarships, internships, and even a job after college. This is why you should find out whether the school you plan to attend offers opportunities for you to assist in research.
Other things that help you on your way through school are extra curricular opportunities. Look into whether or not the school you are considering offers extra activities for you to take part in. You may want to join a computer science club or even join a team and compete in programming contests. These things are a lot of fun and help you become not only a better student but also a happier one.
On a final note, make sure to realize that the effort you put into your work now is directly related to the outcome you receive in the future. Place all your effort into everything you do, even if you hadn’t before. Keep in mind that you may want to pursue graduate studies; which schools you get the opportunity to attend depends solely on how well you did in your undergraduate years.
Other than school, what would you advise people entering the computer science field to consider or prepare for?
The computer science field is one where you must have two things: initiative and a dream. To be a successful computer scientist you have to go out and try new things. You can’t wait until a job opportunity comes to you. Look into the things your interested in and try taking part in them – whether they be developing Apps for mobile phones or helpful applications for computers in general. That way if you ever do decide to work for a company you have the experience and enthusiasm they seek. You have to set yourself apart so that people will be able recognize you as a person who they want to work with.
From the beginning you should take the time to try and narrow down what it is you would like to do in the future. Having a dream in this field is very important. It is what separates your average computer science “day laborer” and the people who create innovative multibillion-dollar corporations such as Google and Facebook. Everyday you should pay attention to the wants and needs of the people around you. If someone is having problems with a certain program, examine what the issue is and how it could be fixed – usually it is a simple change that would have drastic effect. Being aware of the things around you and developing critical thinking skills will turn you in a successful computer scientist.
In this field you must learn to adapt to this mindset. You can’t expect to learn everything there is to know from others in your field. Their knowledge is priceless and extremely helpful at getting you caught up with everyone else but at a certain point you must launch yourself into a new realm. In this realm you are an explorer in uncharted territory. You must become apart of the elite set of people who advance their field and write the books that everyone else learns from.
What study tips would you recommend to other computer science students?
In college, things change, you can no longer get by, by putting in the minimal amount of effort. If you want to be a successful student your mentality must evolve. This new you must definitely pay full attention in class and try hard not to ever miss one. Everyday vital information is given out by your professors; one missed class amounts to an entire concept you missed out on. If you are attending your classes and are still having difficulties understanding the material, know that there is help for you.
Generally universities offer free resources, such as tutoring, that you must take advantage of in order to be a successful computer science student. Attending these sessions on a weekly basis will make your academic life a whole lot easier, as they tend to be offered by people who are knowledgeable in their field and that are willing to help you with your homework. If tutoring is not offered at your university, don’t worry. Be thankful you have the power of the Internet easily accessible at your fingertips. There are many websites out there that are great at explaining difficult computer science concepts in understandable terms. Even just searching YouTube for how-to videos on whatever subject you are learning will return a vast list of videos attempting to explain to you whatever it is you need to learn.
Lastly, When studying for an exam it is crucial that you dedicate a large part of your time and effort into it, but do not fry your brain! Be confident in the fact that if you’ve honestly tried your best to study, you will do fine. The human body needs rest in order to function properly, which is why you should make sure you don’t pull an all-nighter then expect to do good on any of your exams. In order to avoid disastrous all-nighters, spread out your study sessions over time. Try taking in information in small portions; this will help you retain more information. And finally get the rest you need; have faith in yourself – there’s a reason why you’ve made it into college.