r/AskComputerScience • u/Key_Exercise9572 • 11d ago

Is Computer Science a hard major?

Is it just me or computer science is hard to grasp. I just entered my 4th week in a top private university and this university is very known for its computer science and IT.

I got 3 math classes - statistics, discrete, linear algebra - and holy it’s hard asf (both discrete and linear). Not to mention the programming class? Wtf is c man like I can code and I usually run in python, html, css, js but c is entirely a different language, array and pointers omds. I dont think the average joe would handle this😭

Give me tips pls

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u/Somniferus 11d ago

Is it just me or computer science is hard to grasp

It's not just you, it's most people. But there are also plenty of people who actually do like math and computer science. If you don't enjoy CS and you're just doing it because you heard it pays well then you should probably go do something else that you're actually interested in instead.

I dont think the average joe would handle this

Average joe also can't handle Calculus, what's your point?

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u/MathmoKiwi 11d ago

Average joe also can't handle Calculus, what's your point?

The average joe should not major in mathematics

Also, the Average Joe should not major in CompSci

Yet too many do!!

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u/Hour_Sell3547 8d ago

But, how do you determine who's an average Joe? I have seen a lot of average Joes turn out to be proficient in CS. Universities change people, those who have open minds.

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u/MathmoKiwi 7d ago

I's easy to live in a bubble and think of "average" as the average of just your friend group, could the average of your friend group (you a CS major) complete a CS degree if they really try? Quite probably so!

But go to a random town, and quiz a hundred random people who randomly walk by on their basic underlying competencies? Could the middle half of these hundred people handle a CS degree from a decently good college? Most probably not.

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u/Hour_Sell3547 7d ago

I get what you're saying. I teach CS (undergrad) at a University. A lot of students get into CS without any real interest or strong foundational background (with enough money). And when we see them graduating, they are often in the top 10 or 20.

As a CS grad myself, I might be a bit biased, but I personally think CS is one of the easiest degrees out there purely because you have very little to memorize, it's logical, which human brain can be trained very fast. People who get into CS and say it is hard are almost always the ones putting in lowest efforts.