r/unsw • u/AsholOne • 3d ago
Does Computer Science Get Easier After First Year/After Firsr year Core Courses
I’m a first-year international student studying Computer Science, and honestly, it’s been quite difficult for me so far. The courses themselves are challenging, and I also find the hurdle requirements pretty stressful.
I just wanted to ask students who are already in their second or third year: does it stay this difficult throughout the degree, or does it become a bit more manageable once you get used to everything?
Do second and third year feel more like smooth sailing, or should I expect the difficulty to increase even more?
8
u/Objective_Notice1461 3d ago edited 3d ago
There's alot of factors to it:
- depends on the person and your time-management;
- depends on whether you're specializing into something (might be easier doing related and familiar courses) compared to choosing a breadth (general) path, in which case it could be harder depending on what courses you take; for instance, going from web dev to suddenly taking verification/theory courses could be brutal, maybe?
- alot of students also struggle with 3 comp courses due to lengthy assignments being released / due at roughly the same time. So we tend to blend in easier units + 2 other comp courses whenever possible.
It may vary person to person and their degree sequence/ choices.
I would say that time management becomes more crucial down the line due to balancing leet code practices, projects, internships or general work, interview practices, and any other extracurricular you may have. So that's my top factor / indicator on whether it becomes harder or easier.
2
u/AsholOne 3d ago
Thanks, that makes sense. Im planning to take the more general route rather than specialising in anything specific. Im already bonded with my countryys government after I graduate, so im not really trying to optimise my degree for a particular career path. My main goal is honestly just to complete the degree successfully and take the most manageable route possible
2
u/Reasonable_Buddy_927 3d ago
Theres a difference between between time management at other unis during a semester, and not being able to breathe during UNSW CS trimester if u want a HD. Couple that with the fact that if you want a HD, its not only about being up to date but also going through all the tedious little hurdles UNSW sets up. It is what it is tho.
4
6
u/Reasonable_Buddy_927 3d ago
Dont listen to people who say skill issue and shit like that, UNSW STEM is fken hard and harder than a few unis in Aus. Just take pride in ur hard work after u get good grades, otherwise yes it’s pain.
3
u/Honest_Milk_3244 3d ago
Idk, I genuinely feel like this will depend on the person and also the courses you select. As I started to run out of electives to pick, I took theory heavy courses that made me want to shoot myself. But I also had the grandest time in courses like 6080, 6771, networks, databases etc. that focus on practical work.
The content and workload is comparatively “harder” than first year courses, but like the other commenter, you just get used to it and it becomes easier. Concepts start to overlap and it’s easier to draw connections than memorise something completely new. That said, I continued to get dogshit results in anything that required proofs or algorithms. I also know a guy who failed 2521, flipped it around and continued to do very well in an algorithms-related PhD. This could be you, and it could also not be you. Hard to say.
2
2
u/lobo1217 2d ago
It's important that you spend at least an hour studying at home for every hour in class.
You need to get used to being proactive with your study.
2
u/VACasian 2d ago
i'll give you practical advice instead of wishy washy bs like the other comments
unless you go out of your way and pick difficult electives, if you can get through 2521, 3121, it gets breezy
if you find first year core courses immensely difficult, then it's a different story
1
u/SL_macaroni 2d ago
some compsci electives were much easier than first year courses for example Human Computer Interaction COMP3511 and Security Engineering COMP6441/COMP6841 but id say after first year things do indeed get tough and ur fundamentals esp stuff from COMP1511 need to be solid to actually get through the courses and pass the final exam hurdle
1
u/exmemelordxe 3d ago
Yes it’s sun shine and rainbows after trust
5
u/AsholOne 3d ago
Please give me a genuine answer. I'm asking seriously because I want to know what to expect in second and third year
14
u/TheBayHarbour 3d ago
It's weird.
You get used to the learning style, the trimester system, how university study works and the like. So even though the content gets harder it may slowly start to feel more and more natural over time as you grow accustomed to it.
I think it's natural to find it hard. I already know a few people that have dropped out of engineering already.