Ask HN: what should a CS student always remember?

#1

Post by fooboy » Wed, May 11, 2011, 3:32 AM UTC

Throwaway account.

I did not study CS in undergrad, but I've been admitted to a graduate CS program. What advice do you have for me? This question is intentionally open-ended and vague, since HNers are overflowing with experience + advice.

If you'd rather not share in public, I would love to hear from you on Gmail (fooboyHN).

Re: Ask HN: what should a CS student always remember?

#2

Post by hrasm » Wed, May 11, 2011, 3:54 AM UTC

A wise man once said: "Learn everything; then forget everything."

Re: Ask HN: what should a CS student always remember?

#3

Post by barapa » Wed, May 11, 2011, 4:18 AM UTC

I'm in the same boat as you. What have you been doing thus far to prepare?

Re: Ask HN: what should a CS student always remember?

#4

Post by fooboy » Wed, May 11, 2011, 4:26 AM UTC

barapa wrote: post #3

I'm in the same boat as you. What have you been doing thus far to prepare?

Stepping up work on personal projects (website, OSS). I want to implement some algorithms in C once those outstanding projects are done.

What about you?

Re: Ask HN: what should a CS student always remember?

#5

Post by chromic » Wed, May 11, 2011, 5:15 AM UTC

Off the top of my head:

Know and understand commonly used algorithms and data structures, both what they are good for and what they are bad at. Most of the problems you'll solve reduce to something that's already been done plus maybe a little extra (My roommate loves this book for algorithms: http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~vazirani/algorithms.html).

Work on personal projects. They're great practice, very rewarding, help familiarize you with the language(s) used, and show you the practical side of CS.

Re: Ask HN: what should a CS student always remember?

#6

Post by kodeshpa » Wed, May 11, 2011, 5:24 AM UTC

work to build portfolio ,devote time on side projects.

Re: Ask HN: what should a CS student always remember?

#7

Post by queensnake » Wed, May 11, 2011, 7:10 AM UTC

Work hard? It's never more fun than grad school. Sigh.

Re: Ask HN: what should a CS student always remember?

#8

Post by [deleted] » Wed, May 11, 2011, 7:34 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: what should a CS student always remember?

#9

Post by testab » Wed, May 11, 2011, 7:40 AM UTC

I am in the same position,have got admission to a CS grad course with an undergrad in something else.Earlier had thought that it would be doable thought now it seems pretty daunting.I am almost thinking of not taking it up as I think of the nightmarish scenarios of not being able to do well.

Re: Ask HN: what should a CS student always remember?

#10

Post by CyberFonic » Wed, May 11, 2011, 9:11 AM UTC

Undergrad CS programs vary greatly. So I would suggest having a look at recent course descriptions for the degree program and recommended books.

Having lots of programming experience in Java, C#, PHP, etc will not be of much value unless you understand the underlying paradigms and concepts.

In most general terms, you'd at least need to know "Algorithms and Data Structures", the SICP book cover to cover, some LISP, C programming, basic operating systems, compilers, interpreters, discrete math, logic and a bit of digital electronics.

I'm intrigued as to how you got into a graduate program. Did you present an impressive background? Care to mention which Uni?? It's a throwaway account, so it can't be tracked back to you!