Hey folks! I just kicked off my journey in university, majoring in Computer Science. I've been looking into taking courses like Harvard's CS50x and MIT's 6.00.1x, but I'm wondering if I'm jumping the gun since they seem pretty challenging. When is a good time to dive into them, and which one should I tackle first? I also noticed there's a CS50 course for Scratch—are those good for beginners? Plus, do you get a free certificate for them? Thanks a bunch!
4 Answers
Both CS50x and MIT 6.00.1 are really great entry-level classes for computer science, and you can absolutely start with either of them without any prerequisites. Everyone faces challenges when starting to learn CS, so don't worry about that. It's all about developing a new way of thinking. Just dive into the courses, and if you find something tricky or confusing, you can always go back and review the material. From what I’ve seen, they cover everything you need, including basic math, and you can rewatch lessons as needed. You're gonna be fine!
If you're already studying Computer Science at university, you might not need these online intro courses. CS50 just touches on a tiny bit of what you might learn in your actual classes. However, if you find you're going through your coursework quickly and want some additional perspectives, watching the videos could be useful. Just remember not to get sidetracked from your main studies!
I'm in my second semester and feeling pretty lost too, with no guidance. What should I do?
Honestly, the best way to learn is just to jump in and try it out yourself. You'll quickly find out if this field is for you. I think CS50x is a solid starting point since it builds a strong foundation in the C programming language. Good luck!
Head to your instructor's office hours! Team up with classmates for study sessions. Don't hesitate to use your school’s tutoring center or ask for academic resources in the library. And definitely chat with your advisor—they can point you towards some helpful resources.