Ask HN: How should I use college?
CS major, trynna join a bunch of clubs and want to keep up with my projects/startup stuff. Dont want to get sidetracked and thrown into doing what others want me to lol.
General advise:
- Join clubs, be as active as you can be, but don't let your grades suffer (well, unless you somehow get to most coveted positions)
- Be social - seek out other people. They likely won't come for you.
- Interact with professors or similar faculty members. Not necessarily all the time, for more trivial stuff you have TA's and similar, but showing enthusiasm and passion will make people remember you.
- Leave your ego home. Ask people for help, help people, it's all part of the learning process - be humble. (Unfortunately lots of arrogant people in CS and Engineering studies)
- Attend career fairs and similar events. Get your resume or information out there. Same goes for club events.
- If you don't already do it, pick up some sport - most colleges and universities have TONS of options, not only the most mainstream sports. It's healthy, it's fun, and you meet all kinds of people.
- Partying is fun, but don't make it a habit to get hammered multiple times a week. I've seen many students fall to that lifestyle.
- Try to earn some money on the side. Most student start at rock bottom when they graduate, as far as their net worth goes. Working during summers and holidays can't help you a long way - because let me tell you this, financial stress during your education is not something you want - it can become all-consuming.
Other than that: Show up to all your lectures, do your assignments and projects - start early. Can't stress that enough.
> Try to earn some money on the side. Most student start at rock bottom when they graduate, as far as their net worth goes. Working during summers and holidays can't help you a long way - because let me tell you this, financial stress during your education is not something you want - it can become all-consuming.
I would actually disagree with this one. If you're studying an in-demand field like CS and you can get internships, you absolutely should so you can get some experience working in industry, a sense of how much you enjoy the work, and a decent amount of $$$ on the side. If you can find a job that complements your education, such as TAing, absolutely do that, even if the pay is garbage (it will be). But unless you're the type who can happily balance work, school, studying, and a social life, I would heavily suggest sacrificing $15 minimum wage work in favor of those other options while you're in college -- the opportunities, memories, and friendships will be well worth the tradeoff.
That being said, if you get an opportunity to do an internship alongside classwork that pays well, that's well worth your time and effort. But if your only option is dishwashing or working at a McDonalds or something I would skip it, not worth the money compared to your potential earnings in 4-5 years.
This is very important.
If your goal is grad school, try to get into a research lab as an undergrad. Meet a professor in office hours and ask them: most professors want students because it’s free help, and if they say no you can ask another professor. Working in a lab you can also get a paid position or course credit.
If your goal is industry, try to get internships in your field. Most colleges have co-ops where the internship lasts a semester and sometimes the college helps you. You can also get summer internships on your own. Personal projects are also good for getting a first internship.
Whatever you do, definitely join clubs and make sure to have a social life / relax sometimes.
For this, I'd recommend finding a job related to or in tech while in school. Internship and co-ops are ideal, and if they can do multiple at differing companies, even better. If it's not internship/co-op season, try to find a job ON CAMPUS that has lots of downtime. Computer labs, gym, TA, or something easy where you can get work done but also interact with others that need help.
I took a help desk job at my school, and that alone led me to better grades, more club involvement, better social connections (students and faculty), and paychecks. Much of the advice listed can be achieved while working an easy job on campus.
People will tell you about making friends and being sociable, all good shit, but also be aware and ready to cut people off who are negative forces in your life.
- Build a wide network of sincere relationships with network of experts (attend talks, volunteer in their work etc)