No motivation to study Computer Science

#1

Post by methane » Tue, Oct 04, 2011, 11:07 PM UTC

I love programming. I am self-taught, started programming at 15 years old and now I already earn money from that (Web Developer), but I just can't find motivation to study other subjects like computer architecture, computer engineering and so on. Basically, I enjoy just JAVA course (where programming is). I am first year student. I am 19 years old.

Maybe I should just drop out? I hope not, maybe you will help me to find motivation? Maybe I really need that all stuff for my profession? Thank you.

P.S. University is quite well-rated in UK.

Re: No motivation to study Computer Science

#2

Post by kenjackson » Tue, Oct 04, 2011, 11:10 PM UTC

What else do you have passion for? Art? History? Math? Study what you love. If there's nothing in college that you have passion for then dropping out makes sense. Don't study stuff for your profession. There's nothing in college that is likely to prepare you for your job better than just getting a book a month before you need to know something.

Re: No motivation to study Computer Science

#3

Post by methane » Tue, Oct 04, 2011, 11:13 PM UTC

kenjackson wrote: post #2

What else do you have passion for? Art? History? Math? Study what you love. If there's nothing in college that you have passion for then dropping out makes sense. Don't study stuff for your profession. There's nothing in college that is likely to prepare you for your job better than just getting a book a month before you need to know something.

I have passion for programming.

Re: No motivation to study Computer Science

#4

Post by bartonfink » Tue, Oct 04, 2011, 11:18 PM UTC

methane wrote: post #3

kenjackson wrote: post #2

What else do you have passion for? Art? History? Math? Study what you love. If there's nothing in college that you have passion for then dropping out makes sense. Don't study stuff for your profession. There's nothing in college that is likely to prepare you for your job better than just getting a book a month before you need to know something.

I have passion for programming.

Saying you have a passion for programming is analogous to saying you have a passion for hammers. Programming is just a means to an end, and not an end in itself. By and large, people who get paid to program are getting paid to solve problems with computers and not for the code itself.

Thus, we're back at square one. What problems would you like to see solved? What are you interested in? What sort of programs do you want to write? The answer to that ? will determine whether you should major in CS.

Re: No motivation to study Computer Science

#5

Post by kevinh » Tue, Oct 04, 2011, 11:19 PM UTC

If it's anything like universities are in the US, you don't get to the exciting CS topics until your second year when it stops being generic programming and specializes in algorithms, computer learning, and other more interesting topics. I'd recommend sticking to it.

Re: No motivation to study Computer Science

#6

Post by methane » Tue, Oct 04, 2011, 11:22 PM UTC

bartonfink wrote: post #4

methane wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have passion for programming.

Saying you have a passion for programming is analogous to saying you have a passion for hammers. Programming is just a means to an end, and not an end in itself. By and large, people who get paid to program are getting paid to solve problems with computers and not for the code itself. Thus, we're back at square one. What problems would you like to see solved? What are you interested in? What sort of programs do you w…

Big web pages, big projects, big/challenging/complex software which could be useful to humans.

Re: No motivation to study Computer Science

#7

Post by 01PH » Wed, Oct 05, 2011, 12:11 AM UTC

I would suggest two things: First check out the curricula for the following semesters and see in how far these interest you. And second if you are already quite proficient in programming, there might be some research projects you might can get involved in, therefore making it a more interesting experience.

In my view the challenge of college is to find a few things that interest you and become really good at them, but at the same time "survive" the subjects that are less interesting to you personally.