Being a Computer Science Student: What I Learned and Challenges I Faced

Imagine someone who has never used a computer before or doesn't know for a moment what's inside computers, only someone who knows how to play songs and videos on his desktop. What such a person might be like is another story, but programming languages were beyond my grasp. At that time, it was my first time learning all these at a beginner level, not knowing what was in store for me in the future, but this curiosity led me to decipher the digital realm.

When I first began this project, there was much I learned, which initially shocked me at times. There were languages unknown, such as Python and Java, that appeared to be different, while the inner operations of algorithms as well as data structure puzzles were hard to fathom. It was overwhelming during the initial times, and sometimes I wondered whether it was right for me or not, but I realized the hurdles were not Obstacles they were the first steps towards education.

My first milestone was learning Java, the first programming language. Another challenge was the fact that I had to learn programming in it, not just the language syntax as one would find in natural languages. I always hated debugging the code most of the time. In whatever mode I chose, each and every bug was to look like an unsolvable problem, whereas each error message was to look like a puzzle. However, it was not easy, and with strong determination, as well as advice from my professors, classmates, and various online tutorials, I was able to design it. That’s when I became aware of the resources do matter.

At the end, there are a lot of online platforms like GeeksforGeeks and W3Schools offering such good tutorials and explanations about things. These resources were with me all through those late-night study groups to revise the stuff I had learned in class and also provided a way for me to explore other areas myself. I also received encouragement from my colleagues and lecturers throughout my journey. Collaboration was one important tool that allowed students to face academic challenges.

The all-too-familiar pain of this shitbutkty not returning remains for me indubitably. Best late-night incident whilst coding a project that I still have hard wired in my memories COMPLETELY UNFORGETTABLE!. With the only light in my room being that of a dim laptop screen, I sat staring black at white words. I was thinking about the problem I had and how long it has been frustrating me, so my effort throughout this post focused on solving some of those. All of a sudden, I started getting this feeling that there was something behind me, like a ghost following or fear. I turned back around and fast as my heart hit the floor in fear at what wasn't there. When I recognized that it was not only dark in this room but also inside me......

The fear and uncertainty gripped me as a learner because it was a symptom of some of the difficulties I went through that all learners will experience. But with each subsequent attempt, the simple began to change with the light that comes with the clarity of knowledge.

Now I perceive that I am actually the one working so intensely in the dark. The darkness was not only in the room but also in my mind as I wrestled with difficult concepts and debugged my code. This experience taught me an important lesson many of the fears and challenges we face as students can be overcome with patience and the right support. Yes, I was a student who loved mysteries but feared them at the same time. And through this experience, I discovered that challenges are just part and parcel of the learning process, which should not be feared but rather fully embraced. Also, with constant guidance from my lecturers, colleagues, and internet manuals, one day things slowly started to make sense.

During this period, I discovered about using resources wisely. Notably other platforms included, such as GeeksforGeeks https://geeksforgeeks.org and W3Schools https://w3schools.com, which, apart from offering valuable lessons, provide insight into many concepts explored by students. These resources were my late-night study buddies who helped me understand what was taught in class and helped me explore other aspects on my own. Moreover, the learning process was incomplete without the support of friends and lecturers who were also learners themselves. Consequently, through collective efforts, all students can overcome even the most difficult academic challenges.

Despite its hardships, it has still been an amazing journey, during which I have come to more life in computer science.              

[Yaseen Ahmed {23341103} CS 2nd semester].