Having doubts about Computer Science.

Hi, im typing this on my phone so please pardons any mistakes.

Basically, I always thought I wanted to do something with computers, so naturally decided on computer science.

However for the last 2 weeks, I've been doubting my choice and considering changing to accounting and finance; as it sounds interesting and also my dad is an accountant.

Then my friend told me you have to be good at coding to do well at CS, although I'm sure unis teach you with no prior experience needed. But even then I dunno if I'd pick up on programming/coding.
I really don't know if computer science is for me :/ at this late stage in the application process as well :/
Internal ucas deadline is Friday.

CS or accounting and finance?

I'd appreciate your input. Cheers.

Its a decision only you can make really, there is programming yeah but you are taught from the very beginning because there isnt any requirements to know any programming language especially when not many places offer computing or computer science at A level. From what ive seen many people do know a bit about some languages but it doesnt matter, my programming module was probably the easiest module I did; I only really had to answer about 2 questions correct for me to pass first year. Its very basic at first.

I think no matter what you do youll always be a bit cautious and you will question it, I have many times but because its such a big decision I think you would no matter what subject you apply for. If you apply for accounting and finance at some point youll probably think about computer science and maybe even regret your choice.

Thanks for your reply.

I just feel like it's the wrong course for me, as I'm not what people would call the typical computer science student. I just feel like I would be out of place as everyone else will be into all these PC games, programming and whatever. I am interested in computers but I'm just really not sure any more...
I don't think I'd fit in if I studied CS.

Thanks for your reply.

I just feel like it's the wrong course for me, as I'm not what people would call the typical computer science student. I just feel like I would be out of place as everyone else will be into all these PC games, programming and whatever. I am interested in computers but I'm just really not sure any more...
I don't think I'd fit in if I studied CS.

Contrary to popular belief, a wide variety of people study CS and the stereotypes of the average CS student being an 'unwashed, introverted nerd' are massively exaggerated in the vast majority of cases. It's a subject like any other really, you'll certainly find plenty of people who'd rather go out for a drink or play sports after lectures than sit around in front of a monitor; just as you would in any other degree.

All sorts of people apply to CS for all sorts of reasons and as hypercaine. said, it's a decision you need to make for yourself; there's no 'mould' you need to fit in to in order to study CS. Case in point; my academic background up to this point has been almost entirely Arts based. No Maths or Physics or typical subjects you might associate with a CS applicant and yet I'm applying anyway because it's the subject I want to study and I've known this for a long time now.

I think that to make a commitment to study a subject for a number of years, you do need to have had some outside interest in the subject or previous exposure to it, but this is only my personal opinion.

Whatever you do decide on, you need to think about it very carefully. It's 3 or more years of your life after all and if your gut feeling is that it's not the course for you, you may be right.

Nor am I in fairness, I dont play WoW and im not into programming 24/7, I simply did a bit of it because I thought it would benefit my application and it did. I dont speak to many in my lectures because they are quite weird, I dont mean to be horrible or anything but its the truth. Some people are OK though, a small minority but there are still some alright people, I know some 2nd and 3rd years who are some of the nicest guys ive met at uni and they do my course, some of the PhD demonstrators are great guys too so dont buy into the stereotypes. I used to go and see Newcastle a lot at SJP and would spend most of my free time in the bar, CS is great in a sense that you dont need to do anything outside of lectures or labs

Is programming easy to grasp?
Programming is a large chunk of the degree right/wrong?
Hmm, I just want to get along with like-minded people, but if everyone doing CS is just that nerdy WoW/league of legends or whatever type of person then i dunno if i should do the course.

Is programming easy to grasp?
Programming is a large chunk of the degree right/wrong?
Hmm, I just want to get along with like-minded people, but if everyone doing CS is just that nerdy WoW/league of legends or whatever type of person then i dunno if i should do the course.

CS is great in a sense that you dont need to do anything outside of lectures or labs

I wish I was on your CS course

OP, yes the majority of people on CS fit the stereotype but that shouldn't put you off doing it if it's what you want to do...

Is programming easy to grasp?
Programming is a large chunk of the degree right/wrong?
Hmm, I just want to get along with like-minded people, but if everyone doing CS is just that nerdy WoW/league of legends or whatever type of person then i dunno if i should do the course.

Contrary to popular belief, a wide variety of people study CS and the stereotypes of the average CS student being an 'unwashed, introverted nerd' are massively exaggerated in the vast majority of cases. It's a subject like any other really, you'll certainly find plenty of people who'd rather go out for a drink or play sports after lectures than sit around in front of a monitor; just as you would in any other degree.

All sorts of people apply to CS for all sorts of reasons and as hypercaine. said, it's a decision you need to make for yourself; there's no 'mould' you need to fit in to in order to study CS. Case in point; my academic background up to this point has been almost entirely Arts based. No Maths or Physics or typical subjects you might associate with a CS applicant and yet I'm applying anyway because it's the subject I want to study and I've known this for a long time now.

I think that to make a commitment to study a subject for a number of years, you do need to have had some outside interest in the subject or previous exposure to it, but this is only my personal opinion.

Whatever you do decide on, you need to think about it very carefully. It's 3 or more years of your life after all and if your gut feeling is that it's not the course for you, you may be right.

I would worry less about the other people on the course than you seem to be.

I do Computer Science, and I certainly do not fit the 'CS stereotype'.
Yeah I enjoy programming, yeah I know how to do it, but that doesn't mean I hole up in my room all day and program. In the same way that watching and enjoying watching T.V does not mean you barricade yourself in a basement for 8 hours a day, it just means its something you like to do from time to time when you get the chance.

In fact only one of the people in my college (out of 7 of us) fits the stereotype. He likes his PC games and all that, but he is still a really great guy (and he washes), and if it bothers you that much then none of the rest of us play any games whatsoever.

Besides, while I get on really well with the CS students in my college, I also have plenty of friends from other course even if they were all weird (which they aren't).

Hey, I've just started CS at So'ton Uni, and I was a bit unsure when I first started my course too. But now I've gotten to know everyone and the course, I don't know why I ever worried. Sure, there are a few guys who are your stereotypical nerd/geek/whatever you want to call them, but there's also a big chunk that aren't, even some attractive girls! I don't fit the mold of typical CS student, I work in a bar, play rugby, go out 2/3 nights a week and have a girlfriend. I go out with somewhere between 5-10 guys on my course most weeks, sometimes even more.

As for programming, yeah I knew how to program, but not Java which is what we're being taught. So I was basically starting from fresh and some of my friends had never seen code before the course, but the lecturers take you through it from the ground up, and certainly at So'ton we have weekly help sessions for programming, so I really wouldn't worry on that front. If CS is something you'd be interested in then don't put it off just because you're scared you'll be surrounded by geeks, you'll be fine!