New Year Resolution Ideas For Computer Science Students

It’s that time of the year when we set our intentions for the next year to come. When I was an undergraduate Computer Science student in college, I used this time to think what I could to do to get better as a student. I believe the key to success of being an excellent Computer Science student is to balance the time you spend in the classroom learning the theory behind the different Computer Science concepts you tackle in class, but also engaging in experiences where you apply the knowledge you have gained and developing other skills such as communication, and teamwork skills.

The purpose of this article is to guide you in the direction of thinking of ways you can improve as a student and take full advantage of this winter break vacation period.

So, today I will share some new ideas on goals you can set for yourself as a Computer Science student, and share tips on how to achieve these goals based on my experience. Also, I share why these opportunities can help you learn and grow as a Computer Science student.

Thus, let’s get started.

Participate in an internship

Internships are a great opportunity for Computer Science students to acquire real-world experience while still attending college. There are internship programs that take place in the summer break, which is great for Computer Science students, as they can use this time to gain work experience, learn new technical skills outside of the campus during the summer.

Furthermore, internships can be a great chance where Computer Science students can apply the knowledge they have learned during the course of their degrees up to that point in time when they apply to the internship program. Not only that, you get to work with other students and even professionals in your area of interest. Also, you can add this experience to your resume and showcase it to potential employers when applying to jobs after graduating.

Engage in extracurricular activities

I know it can be hard balancing your academic responsibilities such as studying for exams and doing homework assignments, but I suggest to make time for extracurricular activities as a Computer Science student. Some ideas include: joining your Computer Science student association (if there is one) and taking part in hackathons. Extracurricular activities are a good way to network with others, also, an excellent opportunity to develop your people skills. In my experience, working in the Computer Science student association, I worked with other students to achieve a common goal.

Now that I am working as a professional, I am very grateful for that opportunity because I do this regularly as a software developer. I work with other developers, communicate my ideas with them so we can solve a problem our software development team is facing. In hindsight, being involved in the student association helped me develop the communications and teamwork skills I know use as a professional, so I recommend all Computer Science students out there reading this article engage in extracurricular activities, it benefited me and I know it can benefit others as well.

Set the goal for your ideal GPA

In my experience, GPA’s can be used by internship interviewers to filter out candidates due to the high number of applicants they receive. Also, GPA’s can be used as a requirement to enter graduate school, if that is your goal when graduating. So, I recommend taking this time before starting the next semester and determine the GPA you want to achieve through the course of next year. First, identify your goals you want to accomplish in 2019. Do you want to go to an internship? Research the GPA required by the program.

Then, write down on a piece of paper the GPA you want to get and set a deadline you will accomplish it in this year. In my experience, this can serve as motivation for you to keep yourself accountable as the year progresses. After you identify the GPA you want to obtain, write down a plan that you need to follow to achieve this goal. Maybe you need to repeat a course, review some concepts or try out a new study technique to your study routine.

Nonetheless, GPA’s are just one part of your application, remember always try to be the best version of the student you can be, so try to work on all the areas of your application.

There you have it, some ideas you can use to set the milestones you can accomplish this next year as a Computer Science student, as well as some tips on how you can accomplish them. Remember using this winter break to think and plan your year as a Computer Science student can help you increase the chances of accomplishing your goals.

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I hope this helps!

Photo by Peter Unden from Pexels

Disclaimer: Results may vary. These tips and advice are based on my experience and opinion as a former undergraduate Computer Science student, tutor, and teacher. Everyone is different, so, the advice shared on this article may or not work for you. I hope this helps!

Originally published at yadielcabrera.com on December 23, 2018.