I just finished my first semester at Notre Dame studying CS and Math, and I have thoughts. Not the usual "college is amazing" stuff (it is), but the things nobody warned me about.
The Pace Is Different
High school felt like a marathon at a jogging pace. College is a sprint that lasts four months. In Fundamentals of Computing (CSE 20311), we went from basic C programming to implementing Conway's Game of Life with animations in about eight weeks. The learning curve isn't steep -- it's a cliff. But in a good way.
The key insight: you have to be okay with not understanding everything immediately. In high school, I could master every concept before the exam. Here, sometimes you're still piecing things together during the exam. And that's normal.
Office Hours Are Everything
I was the kid who never went to office hours in high school because I thought it meant I wasn't smart enough. Biggest misconception ever. The smartest students I know are the ones who show up to office hours every week. Not because they're struggling, but because direct conversations with professors unlock understanding that lectures can't.
The real curriculum isn't in the syllabus. It's in the conversations you have outside of class.
Find Your People
The best thing about Notre Dame's CS program is the community. Finding a group of people who are excited about the same things -- algorithms, building projects, debating whether Python or C is better (it's C, obviously) -- makes the hard parts bearable and the good parts great.
I also got involved with CodePath, which has been incredible for structured learning and connecting with tech folks beyond campus. Having mentorship and a community that extends outside your university is invaluable.
What Actually Helped
- Start assignments early. Not because you'll finish early, but because you'll have time to get stuck, ask questions, and try again.
- Write code every day. Even 30 minutes of practice keeps the momentum going.
- Take care of yourself. I play soccer, do breakdancing, and make time for deep conversations with friends. These aren't distractions from academics -- they're what makes academics sustainable.
- Build side projects. The stuff I learned building things on my own taught me more than any single class.
Looking Ahead
Next semester brings Data Structures, Systems Programming, and Discrete Math. I'm nervous and excited in equal measure. But after surviving the first semester, I know the formula: show up, put in the work, ask for help, and don't forget to have fun along the way.
If you're about to start your first semester in CS -- you've got this. It's going to be harder and better than you expect.