IN THE LIFE OF A COMPUTER SCIENCE STUDENT: Is this degree EVEN worth it?

https://www.explore-group.com/blog/do-you-need-a-cs-degree-to-be-a-developer/bp78/

 " Computer science is so hard, and I have to take unnecessary classes which I am most likely not even going to use once I start working."

.... Is It Really Worth All This Draining?

YES!

Let me just say that by the time I was in 6th grade, I was already 100% sure I wanted to major in Computer Science. And I had three solid reasons:

1. I had been doing Computer Science since middle school.

2. Computers fascinated me.

3. I was really good at it.

WHY CS?

So… here’s the thing: I’d been doing Computer Science since 6th grade. And let me just say that it was pretty interesting, for someone that wasn't really interested in technology from a younger age I would say that I was really fascinated by it once I got to learn everything about a computer- from the basics like hardware and software - I became fascinated.

Fast forward to high school... I kept pursuing Computer Science and learned something new each year. But things really got exciting in 11th grade when I built my first actual system—a library management system. Before that, I didn’t know much about real programming languages like Java, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, Go, or Rust. I was only familiar with HTML and a bit of CSS. For the project, I used Visual Studio and Python for the backend.

I was so excited to build something real that could make an impact. But wow, was it stressful. I remember having hundreds of errors during debugging—only to find I’d missed a comma or spelled something wrong. It was frustrating... but also a huge learning experience.

The biggest lesson I learned?

Be patient with yourself and always push beyond your limits.

The Tech Industry Is Very Competitive

Tech is one of the most competitive industries out there. If we just stick to what we already know and don’t push ourselves to learn more, how could we ever compete with someone who’s been building skills for five years?

The simple answer? We can’t.

I’m currently a sophomore, and I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs in this CS journey. That’s why I’m going to tell you exactly why CS ISN’T for you —if you relate to these traits: 

1. If You’re Lazy

If you’re unmotivated and can’t keep up, CS probably isn’t your major. Tech changes every single day. As a CS major, you must keep up with trends, learn new technologies, and be able to self-study.

You can’t rely on others all the time. You’ve got to challenge yourself and push your own limits. Stay up late to finish that assignment. Grind Leet Code problems for interviews. No one is going to do it for you.

2. If You’re Anti-Social

There’s no such thing as “anti-social” in tech. You need to talk to people, network, and attend workshops, hackathons, and seminars. Connections ARE the key to your dream job.

The truth is, who you know can be just as important as what you know.

3. If You’re Self-Absorbed

CS is not a solo journey. You can’t do everything alone. You need to learn from others and also be willing to help those who come to you for guidance. The industry is tough, and we need each other to grow.

Nobody knows everything. Everyone’s a learner and asking for help isn’t a weakness—it’s necessary.

So, Is This Degree Worth It?

YES.
Computer Science is absolutely worth it. It leads to some of the highest-paying jobs in the world. But those six-figure salaries? They come with sacrifice, grit, and discipline.

If you’re not willing to give up sleep to finish a project, skip hangouts with friends to grind coding problems, or prioritize your learning over your routine—then maybe this isn’t the right major for you.

But if you're ready to challenge yourself, stay curious, attend hackathons, network, and keep improving your skills...

Then welcome.
You’re exactly where you belong.