Advice for Incoming Computer Science Freshmen

Congrats on getting into a CS program! In your freshman year you'll probably be working on the fundamentals (so not too many choices for what to study) but as you go through your program it's good to start thinking about what areas of CS you'd be most interested in.

My undergrad background was in Computer Engineering (so a bit more on the hardware side) but here are a few areas to think about (and there are lots of fields I left out):

Some Areas of Study

• Theory/Algorithms: If you really like math/doing proofs, this is one way to go. It’s a lot more like applied mathematics, focused on solving problems more efficiently rather than on heavy coding.
• Software Engineering: More practical, lots of coding. Focused on building reliable, efficient software for complex, large-scale systems.
• Data Science: Analyzing and operating on large datasets. Involves a lot of statistics and math, often tied closely to AI development.
• Cybersecurity: Developing (or breaking) secure systems. Heavy in theory and mathematics as well.

Hardware-Oriented Fields I Studied

• Embedded Systems / Robotics: Working with specialized hardware to interact with the physical world — writing code for sensors, motors, sometimes even designing circuit boards.
• Digital Design / Computer Architecture: Building computer chips themselves — learning about logic gates, microarchitecture, and sometimes delving into electrical engineering concepts.

Don't worry too much about committing to an area early on! Most students narrow their focus during their 2nd or 3rd year.

Coursework Tips

• Course rigor: Expect a challenge! It's normal to feel stuck sometimes. Don't fall behind — go to office hours often. They're very helpful and underused.
• Time management: College is way less structured than high school. Make good use of libraries, block time for studying, and find study groups. Managing your schedule is half the challenge early on.
• AI Tools: I strongly recommend avoiding AI/ChatGPT during early studies. It's a great tool, but only after you build a strong foundation first.

Internships, Research, and Clubs

Internships

• Don’t stress if you can’t land one your first year — many start after 2nd or 3rd year.
• Go to on-campus career fairs early! Great for practice pitching yourself, writing resumes, and networking even as a freshman.
• Check if your school offers co-op programs (structured internships with companies), although they sometimes involve extra commitments.

Research

• Important for grad school and can help build projects for industry jobs.
• If you like a class or a professor, ask about research opportunities!

CS-Related Clubs

• Joining CS-related clubs (like robotics teams) is a great, low-stress way to get experience and meet mentors early.

Final Thoughts

First year, focus on adapting to college life: your classes, making friends, and maintaining good mental health. Give yourself time for hobbies, rest, and self-care. If you feel overwhelmed, campuses usually offer great resources for academic help and counseling.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions! If any of the study areas sound interesting, let me know — I can elaborate. Also, if you already have some coding experience, I can suggest some fun projects to try!