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Ask HN: How to make the most out of time at university?

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Ask HN: How to make the most out of time at university?

#1
Hello HN, I'm currently studying in Poland at technical university, studying Applied Computer Science. I'm at the first year of my studies. I'd like to ask you for advice on how to make the most out of the time during my studies, so that I won't have trouble with employment.

What are some of the things that would make me stand out from the rest of the potential candidates in the future? I'm partaking in one of the scientific clubs, where our main focus is game development. In my team, I fulfill the role of 3D artist with occasional programming sprinkled in.

Should I be focusing on my GitHub portfolio? What ought to be my main focus?

Re: Ask HN: How to make the most out of time at university?

#2
I think your main focus should be socializing with your peers so you can network once you get out of school. Which you have been doing already, so honestly I think you are going to be fine getting a job once you get out.

Your peers and the students are way more important than your teachers, IMO. You can build businesses with the students, the teacher is just guiding you through a book course.

edit; be the guy who knows everyones skills and talents and partners people up who would be interested in working together? the guy who "knows everyone"

Re: Ask HN: How to make the most out of time at university?

#3
What ought to be my main focus?

Becoming a person who other people want to talk to.

The best thing about university for me was getting to meet a super diverse and exciting group of people. I learned how to listen and be interested in what other people want to talk about, how to be someone who other people want to listen to, and how to be friendly. I truly believe that has landed me more jobs than any technical ability I have.

Anyone can nail a technical interview tests with a bit of practise if they've paid attention in classes. Nailing the "culture fit" interview is how you stand out.

Re: Ask HN: How to make the most out of time at university?

#4
If you're doing computer science, do some computer science.

Most universities push you surprisingly little towards "doing the thing" so just build something, whether that's for fun or for profit.

I spent my uni time working and barely passing exams and I can recommend it. I can't really say my uni time was particularly useful to my career (I started working before uni) but having working experience and being very productive "straight out of uni" made me advance incredibly quickly in career and compensation.

Also, get out of Poland as soon as you can and go to either Switzerland / UK / USA to build a network of contacts and save some money. Alternatively have a look at what salaries you can get in those places and work your way towards getting a remote job paying that much (which will be significantly higher what you will hear from your developer peers in Poland).

You should also consider whether you want to stomach working in a FANG or not. If so, try to do your Algorithm exams towards the end of your course of study (if possible), do leetcode online for a couple of months and then apply to all of them.

Best of luck

Re: Ask HN: How to make the most out of time at university?

#5
I would say have as much fun as you can along side your studies. Really.

On the career side, experiment as much as you can in all the different areas (web programming, data science, ML/AI, game dev, etc.) and see what fits you the most.

I wouldn't worry too much about finding a job in this industry and I think focusing on your portfolio would make most sense only after you've found the niche that interests you most.

Re: Ask HN: How to make the most out of time at university?

#6
As a potential employer, I don't care about your clubs though I am interested in your hobbies as long as they are not programming related.

I am interested in your github and linked in profiles and what school you attend but I don't care about your grades or how long you took to graduate.

Hope that helps.

Re: Ask HN: How to make the most out of time at university?

#7
> What ought to be my main focus?

Reading. Never again will you have permission to just spend 3/4 years in the library, filling your head every day with great learning. Keep your mind healthy by eating well. Take notes. Dump your phone.

I wrote about the distractions facing bachelors degree students here:

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/joy-text-world-t...

(sorry if it's still paywalled in your neck of the woods)

Re: Ask HN: How to make the most out of time at university?

#8
> What ought to be my main focus?

Develop your technical skills during the week, develop your social skill during the weekend. A lot are only doing the first, even on the weekend (or only the second, even during the week). While raw skill is cool, it's important that you can work in a team, that your boss likes you and your colleagues can work with you. Attend parties, talk to strangers, learn how to do some small-talk. A lot of it is really just practice and confidence. It also helps you in your personal life, you have to survive adulthood too. You might move into a new city and need to make friends, or your girlfriend/boyfriend could leave you and you might need to talk up somebody at a bar. University is really ideal for this, there's a lot of interaction during your day. Adulthood can be very lonely. Really try to make some friends that are NOT studying computer science (I can't stress this enough, huge error on my part when I started).

During the week, I would take university seriously and augment it by doing some practical stuff at home. A lot of universities are theoretical, they don't really let you built stuff. Or you could built something during your holidays. I always had some project ready that I could pursue if I found the time. This combines both worlds. Also, hackathons are fun. Since you're in your first year, really nail down linear algebra and calculus, it's the basics for all your future academic endeavours. Try to be a tutor for either or both in the second year, it helps to fortify your skill.

Re: Ask HN: How to make the most out of time at university?

#9
Keep a daily journal.

Better yet, write in your journal as often as possible. Had an interesting class? Write it down. Met some cool people? Write it down.

A lot will happen in college and yet it will also be over in the blink of an eye. Many of your unforgettable experiences will be forgotten. But if you keep a written record then that time was your own.

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