If you want to be a top Computer Science student, whether studying for a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree, these study tips for Computer Science students will put you on the right path to success.
Regardless of your specialization, Computer Science degrees are challenging, even if you are super passionate about tech. So, what is the best way to study Computer Science and learn efficiently?
Here are five basic tricks on how to be a successful Computer Science student or even the best in your class.
Find Master’s in Computer Science
1. Don't expect to learn everything during courses
Most of the time it’s not about asking yourself what should I learn as a Computer Science student, but more about how to do it. So here are some Computer Science study tips: all courses in this field rock, but they won’t cover all the skills you might need in a job. For example, if you’re planning to go into software development, you might learn a considerable amount of programming languages, but you may need to go beyond that for work.
You may have to understand and get the hang of new programming languages on your own, without anyone to teach you. It might be a good idea to look for introductions to online programming languages, some of which are even offered for free, such as Python, MATLAB, Java, and much more.
So, the best way to study Computer Science is to take initiative and take things into your own hands. Schedule your time properly and after completing your core assignments, hit Google, and find out what type of computing skills tech companies are looking for. Particularly, look into the exact requirements at those specific companies you dream of working for.
You could also make little websites or programs just for yourself, to test your abilities and push yourself further.
If you want to study Information Technology (IT) at top-ranked universities, check programmes offered by some of the best universities ranked by The Times Higher Education.
Top 3 best universities in Europe for a Computer Science degree:
Top 3 best universities in the USA for a Computer Science degree:
- California Institute of Technology
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Georgia Institute of Technology
Here are other universities we recommend for Computer Science degrees:
- Northeastern University, the US
- University of Birmingham, the UK
- University of Twente (UT), the Netherlands
- Politecnico di Milano, Italy
- Aarhus University, Denmark
2. Studying the night before a deadline will NOT work
This is probably the most important advice of our 5 study tips for Computer Science students. Try to get your assignments done well in advance of deadlines, ideally having them ready a week in advance. Otherwise, you’ll just get tired, your code won’t work, and you’ll fail the assignment.
Computer Science and IT is one of those areas where it is absolutely necessary to keep working throughout the semester. There is too much information to learn in one day and the assignments are too complex to be done at the last minute. So, if you want to be a successful Computer Science student, do yourself a favour and work through the whole semester.
That doesn’t mean you should spend every minute studying; it means you’ll have to be constant with your learning progress throughout the year. You’ll do far better this way.
3. Focus on developing practical Computer Science skills
What do you learn as a Computer Science student? Most IT courses are not all theory compared to courses from other degrees, like Sociology or Economics. Even if Computer Science and Information Technology degrees include theoretical classes, their approach is far more practical.
For instance, after a theoretical class, you will have to apply that knowledge through practical exercises in a computer laboratory.
You may have to work on essays, but they will always have to include practical work or projects with detailed explanations for each step of your work.
4. Don’t be a lone wolf
For a Computer Science student, being able to work on your own and independently motivate yourself is great, and you’ll need that. But don’t forget that you’re not alone, and its’ highly unlikely you’ll be alone in the workplace as well. You will most likely work as part of a team.
And teamwork takes some skills you’ll need to polish constantly. Once you’ll find a good study group, you’ll surely enjoy meeting with your peers, sharing ideas, and working on interesting projects. After all, that’s just the classical way innovation starts: a few genius minds come together and work on an invention until it becomes a trademark.
>> Worldwide popular destinations for a Computer Science Master’s degree:
- Masters in Computer Science in Italy
- Masters in Computer Science in Denmark
- Masters in Computer Science in the U.S.
- Masters in Computer Science in Germany
- Masters in Computer Science in the UK
5. Remember: even as a Computer Science student, you still have a life
If you study for a Computer Science degree, it may seem pretty daunting as you'll need to learn more, study more, and do more. But don’t forget to live your life. Have fun, meet up with friends, go clubbing or traveling, and get involved in some student activities.
The best way to study Computer Science is by maintaining a healthy balance: your studies are critical, but they shouldn’t be the only thing in your life. Going out and having fun will refresh your mind and increase your grades. Relax, have fun, and good luck!
>> See examples of universities that offer you the chance of getting hired at Apple or Google.