The Use of College For Computer Science

From a Computer Science Student

The way to a brighter future, the biggest guarantee of higher life income and all that. But is it really? Specifically for Computer science/programming/the infinite things one could do with thoose broad subjects?

The Knowledge

I might as well start with what I’m actually learning here. Every college obviously differs around the world in numerous cases, both tiny and huge, so I’m focusing on my petit experience.

When it comes to actual programming, Java is a terrible starter language. Naturally we learned it first, four times a week. Though I got a fine grasp on it, finished all the projects and midterms, I failed the exam and will probably fail it a few more times. Though most of the things we learned were fairly useful and or standard, the exam is arbitrary and abstract, asking us to construct a for loop patterns in one exercise, while leaving the rest misteriously vague. All in all, I’m glad I learned some Java, even if I can’t finish the class yet.

To à lesser extent we also dabbed in bash scripting and C in the same two times a week class. No surprise, with such sense topics and limited time, I barely remember any of it. Though I did pass, so I guess this might be useful for the future.

The other three classes of the first semestar included Algebra — with only one of four topics useful (matrices), Analysis — a dense subject for high calibar mathematical formalism, which I kinda liked, and Theory of Computer Science — a formal way of representing languages, again great stuff.

So far, I’ve passed 3/5 subjects (spot the second).

This time around we “learned” Ocaml. I didn’t get anything out of this class, due in part my dislike of the assistent, who I found was quite incompetent, the misery around our professor, who I never even got to see IRL. Safe to say I did not attend his classes.

Two subjects about hardware and binary, including the study of operating systems through mathematical equations(passed, but usuelles) and another more focused on microprocessor programming (hated and failed).

The best classes I’ve taken so far, are a full web design class and a finite Automata to Turing Machine class. I took to both these classes instantly and am very glad for it. They are definite examples of things I would not have been interested in by myself.

Overall à worse semestar, but so far similar results at 3/5. My next exam session is in August, and I plan to pass everything, except the one I failed.

The Angziety

While the information passed down from most of my proffesors is quite marginal and lackluster, the strength of this institution is that it nudges me to explore, research and learn things I never would have on my own. But is that admittedly usseful nudge worth all the trade offs? The stress of taking unninteresting and pointless subjects, of loosing sleep and years of my life to the stress of finals and exams?

The stress is real, even with someone like me, who barely cares about their grade. “Attachment to results is the cause of all suffering.” This Budda quote keeps ringing in my ears throught this last week, while my finals are eerely aproaching. I know it to be true but can I really escape it while here? Results are so deeply entrenched into every facet of our modern world that it seems genuenly immpossible to not attach yourself to them. What else is there to attach to? Therefore existence itself is a justafiably terrifying process.

The most obvious counsil to that everyone else has to go through this world as well, just like you. It helps, though just how much I can’t be sure. The agony of choice statis, for whatever you choose to do will take up time. Time that can be used to study, for your midterm tommorow, or your programming project, or your exam next week. Therefore you just pass on from one partial activity towards the other, always checking the time just to see how little of it is passing, never daring to add it up because now you realize you’ve spent more than an hour not studying and you just can’t stand yourself. It’s vicious but operable, as in it can be fixed. More pre planning and following through will lead to less anxiety. For now all I have is next time.

Everywhere I look I keep finding conflictory opinions of going to college. Most people think of it as a necessary barrier to entry in today’s job market. Others find it a waste of time and money.

The Pandemic age

But when college gets stripped from it’s adult daycare model, where contact to peers and professors is estranged and difficult, where the quality of the education itself is eroded due to lack of resources, how worthy is it?

While this semester passed in a semi mix, I spent about 70% of it remotely. While it might be too early to say, my attachment and learningbhave definetly been affected, for the worse. I guess I’ll have to wait till next semester for a more through test, in whichever version my school decides to take it.

Related posts:

React Hooks and how to use useState hooks in your next React app.

Weight Lose Danny Lampton (Light & The Weight) weight loss tips Paper Weight Entertainment weight lose Lose Weight Fast Habit Fitness Club In the majority of cases, losing weight will drastically…

The Appellate Court has already begun to host arguments in their courthouse, bringing back to life the ritual and grandeur of the venue. At the trial court, our jury trials need to be in person as…