In the Life of a Computer Science Student: The Survival Diaries
Episode 3: Is Computer Science Really Worth It?
"Computer Science is so hard."
"I'm never going to use half of these modules."
"Maybe I chose the wrong degree."
If you've ever had one of those thoughts, you're not alone.
At some point, almost every Computer Science student questions whether the late nights, endless assignments, debugging sessions, and constant learning are actually worth it.
I've asked myself the same question.
And every single time, my answer has been the same.
Yes.
Not because it's easy.
Not because of the salaries.
But because of what this journey has taught me.
It Started Earlier Than Most People Think
By the time I was in sixth grade, I already knew what I wanted to study.
Computer Science.
Looking back, it's funny because I wasn't one of those children who spent hours taking computers apart or writing code before secondary school.
Instead, I became fascinated by something much simpler.
I wanted to understand how computers worked.
Learning about hardware and software opened up a completely new world for me. The more I learned, the more curious I became. That curiosity slowly turned into passion, and before I knew it, Computer Science wasn't just another subject anymore.
It became the career I wanted to pursue.
The Project That Changed Everything
High school gave me my first real taste of software development.
One of our biggest projects was building a Library Management System.
Until then, programming mostly felt like completing exercises and learning concepts.
This was different.
For the first time, I was building something that solved a real problem.
I remember opening Visual Studio with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Every day felt like a new challenge.
And then came the debugging.
Hundreds of error messages.
Programs refusing to run.
Hours spent searching for a mistake that turned out to be one missing comma or a misspelled variable.
At the time, it was frustrating.
Now?
It's one of my favorite memories because it taught me one of the most valuable lessons in software development:
Every error is an opportunity to learn.
That project showed me something important.
Programming isn't about writing perfect code.
It's about learning how to solve imperfect problems.
Computer Science Doesn't End in the Classroom
One thing university has taught me is that your degree alone isn't enough.
The tech industry moves incredibly fast.
New frameworks appear.
Programming languages evolve.
Artificial intelligence continues to reshape the way we build software.
If we only learn what's taught in lectures and never explore beyond them, we'll always be trying to catch up.
That's one of the reasons I've challenged myself to keep learning outside the classroom.
I'm part of a Cyber Security Club where I've had the opportunity to explore Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Kali Linux, and Red Hat while learning more about security concepts that complement my Computer Science degree.
Outside of university, I also spend time building personal projects because I believe that's where classroom knowledge truly comes to life.
Every project teaches me something lectures can't.
The Truth About This Degree
People often ask whether Computer Science is difficult.
It is.
Without question.
But difficulty isn't what makes people leave.
It's consistency.
Computer Science asks you to keep learning long after lectures end.
To debug when you're tired.
To start again when your solution doesn't work.
To remain curious even when you're overwhelmed.
That's why I don't think this degree is for everyone.
Not because you have to be naturally gifted.
But because you have to be willing to keep growing.
Three Things That Matter More Than Talent
1. Be Willing to Learn
Technology changes constantly.
The moment you think you've learned everything is the moment you stop growing.
Stay curious.
Ask questions.
Read documentation.
Build things.
Learning is part of the job description.
2. Build Relationships
One of the biggest misconceptions about tech is that it's a career for people who never talk to anyone.
In reality, some of the best opportunities come through people.
Attend workshops.
Join societies.
Go to hackathons.
Talk to your classmates.
Learn from developers who know more than you.
The connections you build today could open doors tomorrow.
3. Stay Humble
No matter how much you know, there will always be someone who knows something you don't.
And that's a good thing.
Computer Science has humbled me more times than I can count.
Every difficult assignment reminds me there's still so much to learn.
Instead of seeing that as discouraging, I've learned to see it as motivation.
Growth begins the moment we admit we don't know everything.
So... Is It Worth It?
For me, the answer has never really been about the money.
Yes, Computer Science opens doors to incredible careers.
Yes, the opportunities are exciting.
But that's not why I stay.
I stay because I love solving problems.
I stay because I enjoy turning ideas into applications.
I stay because every project teaches me something about technology-and about myself.
One day, I hope to build software that genuinely improves people's lives.
Every lecture.
Every assignment.
Every bug I've fixed.
Every project I've completed.
They're all helping me become the developer I want to be.
Computer Science isn't easy.
It probably never will be.
But if you're willing to stay curious, embrace challenges, and keep learning even when things feel impossible, I truly believe it's one of the most rewarding journeys you can choose.
Thank you for reading Episode 3 of The Survival Diaries.
I'll see you in the next episode.
println("Ciao");
By Selma Nghinamanu
Computer Science Student | Software Engineer | Founder
Image by Selma Nghinamanu
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