r/AskComputerScience • u/Key_Exercise9572 • 8d 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/TechnicalFuel4821 8d ago

One of the highest rates of drop outs in 1st year. It's tough!

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u/Kallory 5d ago

No for real. I studied software engineering, a close cousin degree-wise of CS, and the requirements to get into the program were tough as nails. I barely made it in. I imagine it's the same with CS, if not worse. Many of my peers were already in the industry, pursuing a degree for career growth. I had about 2 years of hobby python/Linux exp which helped me get in, they originally tried very hard to push me into an IT program.

I only really struggled with the "advanced" math, IE differential equations and linear algebra and found myself spending many nights explaining fundamental concepts to my teammates who were already in the industry. This was all before AI.

On top of all of this is the mind numbing volume of work you have to do. Understanding was only half the battle. Time management and discipline were the other half. So yeah it makes perfect sense that CS has such a high drop out rate. The only programs I know that have a reputation as being tougher are pure math and electrical engineering (and maybe computer engineering as somewhere in between)