In the Life of a Computer Science Student: The Survival Diaries
Episode 3: Surviving Computer Science
Author's Note: The experiences shared in this article are based on my own journey as a Computer Science student. What has worked for me may not work for everyone, but I hope these reflections encourage you to find a healthy, sustainable way to navigate your own path.
When people talk about studying Computer Science, they usually talk about the exciting parts.
The six-figure salaries.
The remote jobs.
The hackathons.
The innovation.
The opportunity to build the next big thing.
And while all of those things are real, they're only half the story.
Behind every successful project are countless hours of learning.
Behind every internship offer are rejected applications.
Behind every polished portfolio is someone who has spent late nights debugging code that refused to work.
Computer Science is rewarding.
But it can also be exhausting.
This isn't an article about surviving assignments.
It's about surviving the journey.
The Cost Nobody Talks About
At one point, I believed that working harder always meant working longer.
Sleep became optional.
Rest felt unproductive.
Health could wait until after the semester.
Looking back, I couldn't have been more wrong.
As someone living with arthritis while studying full-time, I've learned that there are days when my body simply won't cooperate.
I've missed lectures.
I've fallen behind.
I've had moments where getting out of bed felt harder than any programming assignment.
For a long time, I felt guilty.
I thought missing class meant I wasn't trying hard enough.
But eventually I realized something important:
Your body is not your enemy.
It's trying to tell you something.
Ignoring it doesn't make you stronger.
Listening to it does.
Success Means Nothing Without Your Health
It's easy to chase achievements.
Higher grades.
Better internships.
More projects.
More certificates.
But if you're sacrificing your physical and mental health to reach those goals, eventually your body will ask you to slow down.
The question is whether you'll listen before it forces you to.
I've learned that taking care of yourself isn't a distraction from your studies.
It's what allows you to keep studying.
My Four Survival Principles
These aren't perfect rules.
They're simply the habits that continue to help me navigate university.
1. Keep Your Faith at the Centre
For me, my relationship with God is where everything begins.
When deadlines pile up and life feels overwhelming, prayer reminds me that I don't have to carry every burden alone.
It doesn't remove every challenge.
But it gives me peace, perspective, and the strength to keep moving forward one day at a time.
2. Protect Your Sleep
University often makes it seem like sleeping four hours a night is something to celebrate.
It isn't.
Some of my worst academic days followed my longest nights.
I've learned that a well-rested mind solves problems much faster than an exhausted one.
Sometimes getting more sleep is actually the more productive choice.
3. Nourish Your Body
As students, it's tempting to survive on instant noodles, snacks, and coffee.
I've been there.
But your brain needs fuel to perform well.
For me, that means trying to eat balanced meals, drinking enough water, and remembering that breakfast isn't just another task on my to-do list.
Small choices repeated consistently make a bigger difference than we often realise.
4. Don't Ignore Your Health
One lesson I've learned is that regular medical check-ups aren't something you schedule only when something is wrong.
They're part of taking care of yourself.
Whether you're living with a chronic condition or you're generally healthy, paying attention to your body today can prevent bigger problems tomorrow.
Your future self will thank you.
Final Thoughts
Computer Science will challenge you.
There will be semesters where everything feels overwhelming.
Assignments will pile up.
Projects won't work.
You'll question yourself more than once.
But through all of it, remember this:
Your health is not something you earn after graduation.
It's something you protect throughout the journey.
The degree matters.
Your dreams matter.
Your future matters.
But you matter too.
So take the break.
Get some sleep.
Eat the meal.
Go to the appointment.
Pray if that's part of your life.
And then come back ready to keep building the future you're working so hard for.
Thank you for reading Episode 3 of The Survival Diaries.
I'll see you in the next episode.
println("Ciao ");
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Author
Selma Nghinamanu
Known as Ndilly
Computer Science Student | Software Engineer | Founder
Image Credits
Hero image: Photo by Selma Nghinamanu
Sharing the real journey behind university, technology, entrepreneurship, and building a career in tech.
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