Hey everyone! I'm kicking off my computer science program in September, and I'd like to get a jumpstart this summer. Since I couldn't take computer science classes in high school due to lack of teachers, I'm feeling a bit unprepared. What foundational skills or knowledge would you suggest I learn to better equip myself for the first year? Any resources or topics would be greatly appreciated!
5 Answers
It’s great that you’re planning ahead! Getting solid on math basics like Algebra, Calculus, or Linear Algebra is essential. Once you're comfortable, pick a beginner-friendly language like Python or Java to start coding. Also, familiarize yourself with object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts. If you're interested, here’s a learning guide I put together to help you get started.
A friend of mine got a lot of ahead by figuring out the core programming languages of his degree program. He dove into some MOOC courses for Java, which really helped him focus on tougher topics like math and algorithms later on. It might be a good idea for you to check what languages are emphasized in your curriculum and get a head start!
Don’t just focus on the coding language itself; try to master how to break down problems—that's a huge part of programming. Look into resources on structured programming to understand the fundamentals better. It’ll pay off big time!
Congrats on your new journey! To prepare, focus on improving your math skills and picking up programming. Try finding free online courses or interactive tools to familiarize yourself with key programming concepts like variables, loops, and conditionals. It might make those early semesters a lot smoother! For math, identify any gaps from high school and consider checking out fun math YouTube channels or resources like Khan Academy to help make it more engaging. Trust me, it’s worth it to be ahead of the game.
Honestly, you don’t need to stress too much. I started college with zero coding experience, and they taught everything in the intro courses. It worked out just fine for me, so don’t feel like you have to over-prepare.
And don’t forget to check the course program from your university if it’s available online. It can help you pinpoint what areas to focus on first!