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All I know now...

Chatter Education

Wait... We're done?

It's strange thinking that the last four years of my life have flown by so quickly - one moment you're a computer science student, the next moment you're... A computer science graduate, somehow. With a 2:1 degree, no less.

Goodness gracious me, what on earth happened?

I started university during Covid-19, and I'll be frank, it was miserable.

What I learned during my first year of university:

  1. Two monitors really do make you feel more computer science-y. (Seriously, I'm never going back.)
  2. Remote learning is lonely, when you don't know anyone - it's difficult to be social when stuck in your room with no flatmates.
  3. Pets help. Sorry to the accomodation staff for sneaking two pet snails in, but man, those little guys got me through.

First year didn't go that well. Which brings us onto...

What I learned during my (second) first year of university:

  1. It's really nice having friends, as it turns out.
  2. People aren't kidding when they say 'get involved with societies'.
  3. I actually really enjoy group working - or at least doing the presentation bits.

Second-first year went a lot better, that's for sure. And in the summer, I completed a teaching internship, and also got a summer job as a tech tutor for kids! Very exciting stuff.

Things were really looking up, and going into second year, I felt a lot more confident.

What I learned during my second year of university:

  1. I might like to go into teaching, though I'd likely have to sacrifice the pink hair.
  2. I'm a lot more capable than I give myself credit for.
  3. I might actually get through this thing after all.

University is difficult. Not just the workload, but just existing as a university student - it's really hard! And it can be really lonely! Even when you're surrounded with people, it's easy to feel isolated and like a bit of an impostor. During the summer going into third year, I once again took up the summer job as a tech tutor, and had an absolutely fabulous time teaching Minecraft and Roblox - kids are some of the funniest people I know, to be quite honest, even if I really don't want to know what 'skibidi toilet' is.

Going into third year was bittersweet - I was nearly at the end, and time seemed to go so fast.

What I learned during my third year of university:

  1. I don't feel ready for this.
  2. I really don't feel ready for this.
  3. ... Maybe I am ready for this.

What I actually learned during my third year of university:

  1. I don't want to become a teacher - thank god I figured this out before I started a PGCE.
  2. Unity isn't actually that hellish, and I can write a damn good report.
  3. Things have a way of working themselves out, and all will be okay in the end.
  4. You will look back at the last four years and cringe.
  5. You will look back at the last four years and smile. And laugh. And maybe cry a bit.
  6. Monster energy is not a replacement for a healthy balanced diet.

My graduation day was sunny, but not too sunny. The future looked (and looks) bright. And terrifying. Mostly terrifying. Somehow, the fact that I have a computer science degree feels a little more real each day. I grew up taking technology apart. My primary school yearbook says that I wanted to be a graphic designer for Nintendo when I grew up because it was the only computer-related job I knew - now I don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but I get a little closer each day. I've never wanted to do anything else than something with computers - technology is a magical mystery and I feel a bit like a wizard sometimes.

I still don't know what on earth happened, but I know there's a lot I want to do, and a lot of time to do it.

That's life, right?

Right?