How to find Success through a Computer Science Degree!
Hi everyone! 👋
I’m Aura, a final-year Computer Science student and rep at the University of Staffordshire and I'd like to take you through how to find success throughout a Computer Science degree.
It’s the age-old question... how do you actually stand out and succeed at university? With more students than ever taking computing, it can feel hard to make an impact or feel like you’re doing enough. Don’t stress! Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way that I wish I’d known from day one, whether you’re just starting your degree or preparing to start next year.
1. Academic Research:
I really wish someone had warned me early on to learn how to write academically! I came straight from A-Levels in maths, computer science and physics, so I had no background in academic writing. It’s very different to everyday writing, everything has to follow a set structure (like Harvard or APA referencing). Here’s what helped me:
-Read academic papers on Google Scholar to get used to the writing style (the abstract and results sections are gold)
-Practice writing without opinion... back everything up with evidence.
-Paraphrase in your own words instead of relying on quotes.
-Learn how to label tables and figures correctly and double-check your references (even alphabetic order matters).
-Tools like CiteThemRight are great, accessible through a University login and the university library support team can review your work; I wish I’d used them sooner!
2. Volunteering:
If you have the time, get involved! Sign up as a student ambassador, course rep, STEM ambassador, content creator or even a student trustee. These roles help you develop skills other students might not have - especially public speaking and teamwork. Through volunteering, I’ve been able to make an impact, meet amazing people and grow my own confidence. I’m involved with the UK Cyber Council, volunteer as a STEM ambassador and even run a community for women in tech. This work led to me being nominated and winning the IYA STEAM Personality of the Year! There are so many things to choose from based on your interests ranging from Code Club all the way down to robotics sessions. Get involved, help others and learn along the way.
3. Conferences and Events:
Get involved in events, they’re amazing for building your network and confidence! Some of my favourites: Bright Network, SheCanCode, TargetJobs, any hackathons, BCS local chapters and interest groups and BSides events. There are many more out there including ones specific to interests like software development, robotics and even company-specific. The best way to learn about these is through your network, build strong connections on LinkedIn and fill your feed with these amazing opportunities. There's always something for everyone. If you’re nervous, start by volunteering for them. It’s a great way to get a feel for the environment. For example, Bright Network offers student leadership boards where you can speak to rooms of 250+ students or help with event logistics! You’ll meet professionals, recruiters, and other students with similar goals, it’s a fantastic way to grow.
4. University Societies:
Join a society or better yet, run one! I co-founded the Women in STEM Society and manage the Staffs Computing Society, which recently won Engineering Society of the Year at the Engineering Talent Awards. We’ve also won local Student Union awards for inclusion and academic impact. Running societies has helped me develop leadership skills, host events and support students. Our society focuses on workshops, volunteering with local schools (the RS fund is great for this) and building career connections. If you’re at Staffs and into games, tech, software or cyber - come join us! I wouldn’t be who I am today without it. Better yet, why not run for committee for next year?
5. Support Systems:
Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Your friends, lecturers and academic mentors are there to support you. Universities often also offer services for careers, legal advice, mental health and learning support. If you have ADHD, are neurodivergent or another condition that affects your studies, ask about setting up a Student Inclusion Plans (SIP), it can make a huge difference. Bother your lecturers to check over work too... it may seem like a chore but will help in the long run! See if you can also apply to any scholarships or bursaries if you require additional funding. I was awarded the Wise Start scholarship and Amazon Future Engineer bursary to lesson my burden while studying, you can often find these listen on Blackbullion. I wish I knew about CyberFirst before I started! Universities may also offer their own scholarship schemes for international, underrepresented or lower-income students so ensure that you keep an eye out on their websites.
6. Careers:
Career development has always been my focus. I’ve done both an internship and a placement at large retail and banking companies, which really boosted my confidence. The careers, employability and placement team at Staffs helped me with everything from CV reviews to placement searches, they’re incredible and many Universities may also have similar departments, please use them. Industry experience helped me win Cyber Student of the Year from the NCA. I’m studying for certifications like AWS Cloud Practitioner and CompTIA Security+, with Linux Essentials already under my belt as these were also offered during my course. Check out some more advice here about placements here. If you can secure a role during your degree, you may end up with a return offer before you even graduate. This can reduce stress in your final year as you will not have to compete with others for graduate roles.
On a Final Note!
Success in computer science isn’t just about grades or awards, it’s about the journey. Focus on building practical skills, exploring your interests and setting goals for yourself. Whether that’s “I want a first” or “I want to volunteer 50 hours this year”, every small win counts. Be kind to yourself, stay curious, DON'T compare yourself to others and remember - your journey is just beginning. Why not begin at the University of Staffordshire through one of our Computing or Games courses?
I’m Aura, a final-year Computer Science student and rep at the University of Staffordshire and I'd like to take you through how to find success throughout a Computer Science degree.
It’s the age-old question... how do you actually stand out and succeed at university? With more students than ever taking computing, it can feel hard to make an impact or feel like you’re doing enough. Don’t stress! Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way that I wish I’d known from day one, whether you’re just starting your degree or preparing to start next year.
1. Academic Research:
I really wish someone had warned me early on to learn how to write academically! I came straight from A-Levels in maths, computer science and physics, so I had no background in academic writing. It’s very different to everyday writing, everything has to follow a set structure (like Harvard or APA referencing). Here’s what helped me:
-Read academic papers on Google Scholar to get used to the writing style (the abstract and results sections are gold)
-Practice writing without opinion... back everything up with evidence.
-Paraphrase in your own words instead of relying on quotes.
-Learn how to label tables and figures correctly and double-check your references (even alphabetic order matters).
-Tools like CiteThemRight are great, accessible through a University login and the university library support team can review your work; I wish I’d used them sooner!
2. Volunteering:
If you have the time, get involved! Sign up as a student ambassador, course rep, STEM ambassador, content creator or even a student trustee. These roles help you develop skills other students might not have - especially public speaking and teamwork. Through volunteering, I’ve been able to make an impact, meet amazing people and grow my own confidence. I’m involved with the UK Cyber Council, volunteer as a STEM ambassador and even run a community for women in tech. This work led to me being nominated and winning the IYA STEAM Personality of the Year! There are so many things to choose from based on your interests ranging from Code Club all the way down to robotics sessions. Get involved, help others and learn along the way.
3. Conferences and Events:
Get involved in events, they’re amazing for building your network and confidence! Some of my favourites: Bright Network, SheCanCode, TargetJobs, any hackathons, BCS local chapters and interest groups and BSides events. There are many more out there including ones specific to interests like software development, robotics and even company-specific. The best way to learn about these is through your network, build strong connections on LinkedIn and fill your feed with these amazing opportunities. There's always something for everyone. If you’re nervous, start by volunteering for them. It’s a great way to get a feel for the environment. For example, Bright Network offers student leadership boards where you can speak to rooms of 250+ students or help with event logistics! You’ll meet professionals, recruiters, and other students with similar goals, it’s a fantastic way to grow.
4. University Societies:
Join a society or better yet, run one! I co-founded the Women in STEM Society and manage the Staffs Computing Society, which recently won Engineering Society of the Year at the Engineering Talent Awards. We’ve also won local Student Union awards for inclusion and academic impact. Running societies has helped me develop leadership skills, host events and support students. Our society focuses on workshops, volunteering with local schools (the RS fund is great for this) and building career connections. If you’re at Staffs and into games, tech, software or cyber - come join us! I wouldn’t be who I am today without it. Better yet, why not run for committee for next year?
5. Support Systems:
Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Your friends, lecturers and academic mentors are there to support you. Universities often also offer services for careers, legal advice, mental health and learning support. If you have ADHD, are neurodivergent or another condition that affects your studies, ask about setting up a Student Inclusion Plans (SIP), it can make a huge difference. Bother your lecturers to check over work too... it may seem like a chore but will help in the long run! See if you can also apply to any scholarships or bursaries if you require additional funding. I was awarded the Wise Start scholarship and Amazon Future Engineer bursary to lesson my burden while studying, you can often find these listen on Blackbullion. I wish I knew about CyberFirst before I started! Universities may also offer their own scholarship schemes for international, underrepresented or lower-income students so ensure that you keep an eye out on their websites.
6. Careers:
Career development has always been my focus. I’ve done both an internship and a placement at large retail and banking companies, which really boosted my confidence. The careers, employability and placement team at Staffs helped me with everything from CV reviews to placement searches, they’re incredible and many Universities may also have similar departments, please use them. Industry experience helped me win Cyber Student of the Year from the NCA. I’m studying for certifications like AWS Cloud Practitioner and CompTIA Security+, with Linux Essentials already under my belt as these were also offered during my course. Check out some more advice here about placements here. If you can secure a role during your degree, you may end up with a return offer before you even graduate. This can reduce stress in your final year as you will not have to compete with others for graduate roles.
On a Final Note!
Success in computer science isn’t just about grades or awards, it’s about the journey. Focus on building practical skills, exploring your interests and setting goals for yourself. Whether that’s “I want a first” or “I want to volunteer 50 hours this year”, every small win counts. Be kind to yourself, stay curious, DON'T compare yourself to others and remember - your journey is just beginning. Why not begin at the University of Staffordshire through one of our Computing or Games courses?
Reply 1
Hi everyone! I’m Saira, a Computer Science student at The University of Staffordshire London. Loved reading Aura’s post, it covered so many important points, so I just wanted to add a quick London perspective for anyone considering studying Computer Science here.
1. Careers & Industry Access
One of the biggest advantages of studying Computer Science in London is how close you are to major tech employers. At our university careers fair, we had companies like Cloudflare, IntoGames, Tencent and more. It was a great mix of tech, cyber, gaming and recruitment all in one place. It really showed how many different fields are represented in London.
(If you want a quick look at what our careers fair was like, here’s a video I put together)
2. Tech Events
London has an endless stream of hackathons, meetups and networking events; especially around Canary Wharf and King’s Cross. Even popping into one event a month can massively grow your confidence and network.
3. Balancing Life and Studies
London can be fast paced, so small habits really help. I made a short video called “3 Hacks for Success” with things that have genuinely helped me keep on track here as a Computer Science student.
If you’ve got any questions about anything I mentioned or university in general, feel free to ask!
Or if you’d like a broader look at what studying in London is like, here’s a piece I wrote on TSR: What is student life really like in London? - The Student Room
One of the biggest advantages of studying Computer Science in London is how close you are to major tech employers. At our university careers fair, we had companies like Cloudflare, IntoGames, Tencent and more. It was a great mix of tech, cyber, gaming and recruitment all in one place. It really showed how many different fields are represented in London.
(If you want a quick look at what our careers fair was like, here’s a video I put together)
2. Tech Events
London has an endless stream of hackathons, meetups and networking events; especially around Canary Wharf and King’s Cross. Even popping into one event a month can massively grow your confidence and network.
3. Balancing Life and Studies
London can be fast paced, so small habits really help. I made a short video called “3 Hacks for Success” with things that have genuinely helped me keep on track here as a Computer Science student.
If you’ve got any questions about anything I mentioned or university in general, feel free to ask!
Or if you’d like a broader look at what studying in London is like, here’s a piece I wrote on TSR: What is student life really like in London? - The Student Room
(edited 2 weeks ago)
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