Tips for Succeeding in Computer Science Classes

Computer Science Student Spotlight: Adrianna O'Dell

Adrianna O'Dell

I am currently a junior majoring in computer science. I am very passionate about computer science, so I am a volunteer tutor for my university's ACM. Once I graduate, I plan to continue my education and receive two master's degrees, one in cybersecurity and the other in computer science. I would ultimately like to use my degrees to form a company focused on creating affordable software that would aid people in being as safe as possible online.

O’Dell is a paid member of the Red Ventures Education freelance Student Network.

What resources have you found useful for studying for your computer science classes?

I’ve found that the most helpful resources are the classroom resources. This includes looking through the Canvas page, rewatching any lecture videos the professor might have uploaded, reviewing the PowerPoints, and rereading the textbook or zyBooks chapters. Outside of the classroom, Stack Overflow is generally the best resource for a comp sci major.

How do you study for your computer science classes?

Something I find very helpful for the more theoretical or knowledge-based side is Quizlet. I usually start studying by writing down the questions and answers from any quiz we take and then typing it into a Quizlet. This lets me study the questions and start understanding what concepts I struggle with early in the semester. I also do the same for midterm exams. I then go back through the PowerPoints and add any information that I think may help me or that is just generally good to know. When it comes to the programming side of classes, I like to start by going back to old homework assignments and redoing them. This will give me a baseline of how much I remember while also giving me something to compare my new program against.

What study strategies or advice would you suggest students not follow? Is there any advice you've gotten that didn't work for you?

Something I see a lot of people do is wait until the last minute and then cram for exams. Doing this doesn’t give much room for truly understanding the topics, and it will make upcoming classes a lot harder. Cramming also makes it extremely difficult to pass the programming section of an exam because there is no way to memorize how to program a task without understanding what the task requires. I never really received advice about studying. The only thing I was ever told is the typical “most freshmen don’t know how to study so you better learn fast,” and I think this is why many students, myself included, fall into the cycle of stressing, procrastinating, and then cramming.

In what ways have you expanded your knowledge of computer science and computer science topics outside of the classroom?

I think the best way to expand what I’ve learned in the classroom is to apply it. For this, I think real-world experience is invaluable, so I am currently about to start a cybersecurity internship. When it comes to learning about new computer science topics, I usually browse news sites that are dedicated to computer science or cybersecurity. I also watch YouTubers who work in the field.

How do you help students at your university's ACM?

A university’s ACM is a great resource for all computer science majors or minors. At Murray State, our ACM has great events like Lego robotics labs, GitHub crash courses, guest speakers, and website design, app development, and resume workshops. Murray State’s ACM also offers free tutoring to any underclassman that is taking a computer science class. I began volunteering to tutor at the beginning of my junior year, and I encourage anybody who can do so as well. Helping new students with their homework, teaching them how to think through problems, and encouraging them to stick with comp sci are some of the most rewarding things I have done throughout my college experience.

Do you have any other study tips or suggestions that could help computer science students study?

Make your environment as productive as possible: Stay away from other people and distractions, turn your phone on silent, and make an outline of what you need to study before you begin. It may also be a good idea to eat beforehand, so you don’t get distracted thinking about dinner. I also find playing music low in my headphones helps me stay focused. Finally: buy a rubber ducky. I know this sounds strange, but talking to the rubber ducky about any problems you run into or subjects you’re having an issue grasping can eventually lead to the solution being found.

Any final thoughts?

The best advice I have is to never give up. Pursuing a degree in computer science will come with many long, frustrating nights. There will be all-nighters working on difficult projects or preparing for exam season. No matter how stressed you get, keep your mind on the end goal and don’t give up. Because once that long night is over, the satisfaction of finishing what you were working on will be unmatched. Oh, and don’t skip class.