How To Excel in Computer Science

30 Insider Tips and Proven Tricks

Chiamaka Anyanwu
The Degree Diary
5 min readJul 10, 2023

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Understanding the Basics

A solid understanding of the fundamentals is crucial for success in Computer Science. Ensure you have a good foundation in data structures, algorithms, and programming languages.

Continuous Practice

Just like any skill, regularly practicing is the key to improving your coding skills. Set realistic goals for yourself and make sure you are coding regularly. Practice can help you improve your coding speed and problem-solving skills.

Utilize Available Resources

There are many resources available online to help you learn and improve your programming skills. Take advantage of online classes, tutorials, forums, and programming communities. They offer a wealth of information and can help you learn more about topics outside your comfort zone.

Stay Curious and Explore

Curiosity is a great motivator for learning new things. Challenge yourself to learn something new daily to broaden your knowledge and improve your problem-solving skills. Follow technology trends and stay up-to-date on best practices.

Join a Community

Joining a community of like-minded people can help you stay engaged and motivated. You can learn from other’s experiences, get support when you face challenges, and network with other professionals.

Collaborate and Study with Friends

Working with friends and colleagues can help you learn and grow. You can exchange ideas, work through problems together, and get feedback on your code. Make sure to find people with a positive attitude and enthusiasm for learning.

Build a Portfolio

Building a portfolio is a great way to demonstrate your skills and knowledge to potential employers. Consider contributing to open-source projects, participating in hackathons, or starting your project.

Learn to Communicate Effectively

Being able to communicate effectively is an important skill to have in any field. In Computer Science, it is essential you can communicate complex ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences. Practice both written and verbal communication skills to develop your abilities.

Take a Break

When you feel stuck or overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to take breaks. Taking time to recharge and relax can help you come back to your work with renewed focus and energy.

Stay Updated with Technology

Computer Science is a rapidly evolving field, so it’s important to stay updated with the latest technologies, frameworks, and programming languages. Regularly engage in tech blogs, forums, and industry news to stay informed.

Develop Problem-Solving Skills

The ability to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts is crucial in Computer Science. Practice solving algorithmic problems and logical puzzles to sharpen your problem-solving skills.

Build a Strong Mathematics Foundation

Having a solid understanding of mathematics is beneficial for Computer Science. Areas such as calculus, probability, and discrete mathematics are important in algorithms and data analysis. Review and strengthen your mathematical knowledge as needed.

Seek Feedback and Learn from Mistakes

Feedback is valuable for growth. Actively seek feedback from professors, colleagues, or mentors on your code and projects. Learn from mistakes and use feedback to improve your skills.

Develop a Growth Mindset

Embrace challenges and view them as opportunities for growth. Adopt a growth mindset that focuses on continuous learning and improvement. Believe in your ability to learn and develop new skills over time.

Master Version Control

Version control systems, such as Git, are essential in collaborative software development. Learn how to use these tools effectively to track changes, collaborate with others, and manage your codebase efficiently.

Develop Soft Skills

Effective communication, teamwork, and time management are critical soft skills in Computer Science. Nurture these skills through group projects, presentations, and participating in team-based coding competitions.

Explore Internship and Job Opportunities

Gain practical experience by pursuing internships or part-time jobs in your field of interest. Hands-on experience can strengthen your resume and provide valuable insights into the industry.

Maintain a Balanced Lifestyle

While it’s important to dedicate time and effort to your studies and projects, it’s equally important to maintain a balanced lifestyle. Make time for hobbies, exercise, and self-care to avoid burnout and maintain focus and productivity.

Attend Conferences and Meetups

Attending conferences and meetups is an excellent way to network, learn from others, and stay informed about the latest trends in your field. Seek out local groups or communities and get involved!

Visualize Your Code

Visual aids such as diagrams and flowcharts can help you in breaking down complex problems and visualizing your code architecture. Use tools like Lucidchart or Gliffy to create visual aids when needed.

Use Online Resources to Practice

Websites like HackerRank, Codecademy, and LeetCode offer exercises and practice problems to help you develop and refine your programming skills. Use these resources to practice frequently.

Develop a Strong Online Presence

Create an online presence by actively contributing to open-source projects or writing technical articles. This will help increase your visibility and can lead to potential job opportunities.

Learn from Open Source Projects

Contribute to open-source projects, or create one yourself to gain real-world experience. You will learn valuable skills such as code reviews, version control, and project management.

Focus on Quality Over Quantity

Take a quality-over-quantity approach to your coding projects. Having a few high-quality projects that demonstrate mastery of relevant technologies is better than having many inferior projects.

Build a Professional Network

Building professional relationships is beneficial in any industry. Attend career fairs, join industry organizations, and network with professionals in your field. You never know when an opportunity will present itself.

Practice Time Management Skills

Time management skills are valuable in Computer Science where projects can be complex and involve multiple teams. Learn the art of balancing competing priorities and delegating tasks appropriately.

Keep your Code Clean

Writing clean and readable code is crucial in Computer Science. Use proper indentation, meaningful variable names, and comments where necessary. Keeping your code clean makes it easier to collaborate with others.

Develop Aptitude for Testing

Knowing how to test your code and find potential errors is key in Computer Science. Make sure you’re testing your code as you develop and use automated testing tools like JUnit.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s from professors, colleagues, or online forums. Collaborators and peers can often contribute valuable insights and offer a fresh perspective when you feel stuck.

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Chiamaka Anyanwu
The Degree Diary

I am a young dedicated, resilient and talented lady who is determined to solve societal problems by apply skills in software development. I write too.