Today I inducted 66 new students into our department for Computer Science and Information Systems degrees, having the previous day been part of the exam board which graduated a seemingly endless stream of MSc students. Such is the cycle of university life.
I like to get the students to write down their hopes and fears for starting uni so we can discuss a few of them with staff from the student advice centre. I actually find it quite touching. There is something so evocative about seeing a scribbled note on a bit of paper: "Will people like me?" Bless you, who ever wrote that. Of course they will.
Here is a selection of representative comments.
Looking forward to:
Learning from experts in their subject
More knowledge on computer science and using it in real life
I am looking forward to study great and interesting things
Learning new programming languages and meeting like minded people
Using all 6 cores!
Find out at what I’m really good
I look forward to graduating with high marks and living and working in Scotland
Meeting new people
Worried about:
I am worried about money (loads of people said this!)
Debt at the end of the course
Will people like me?
Being away from family and friends
Cooking/ looking after myself
Not making many new friends
Leaving home and having only myself to blame for what I do (See Nick, people were listening!)
Not being able to keep up with the class
Failing
High work load
Exams
Full time job + full time university
English language
Keep up the good work.
Thank you for keeping us updated. I have found it to be very informative and I really enjoy it and find all of the information very useful.
Posted by: Computers | October 03, 2011 at 07:21 AM