<p>If I do end up attending Stanford, I'm pretty sure I will go into Computer Science. However, I worry that being at a place like Stanford, I may struggle to stay afloat in a challenging major like CS. Would I still be able to enjoy my undergrad years? I'm no computer genius or valedictorian, but do posses a relatively advanced knowledge of computers and am very interested in the topic, not to mention I have a pretty efficient work ethic. I'm a very social person and I enjoy sports like skiing, surfing and skating when I can, and I don't want to be forced into forfeiting those or my other interests in order to not fail out! So basically I'm just wondering, especially for those in their later years as an undergrad, is the program so incredibly competitive, that I will have to have my head in a book 24/7?</p>
<p>I’m a CS major and am not in any way a CS genius, but I get by just fine. It’s true that the CS major is challenging, but as long as you choose your courses carefully (and any of the many advisers can help you with that), you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Thanks for this thread topic Colbs. I’m interested in student life as a CS major as well.</p>
<p>I’m not a CS major, but a bunch of my friends are. They do sometimes seem very stressed, but some of these people are taking grad student classes so I guess it’s not normal to judge based on them…Anyway, so one of my friends started the classes for the CS major a bit late because she was also considering EE at first and I think that made it a little more challenging because then you have to cram more classes in a shorter amount of time. However, this doesn’t mean she’s always totally stressed out and studies 24/7. She’s on a club athletics team and has time to chill with me and other people and she even has a job on campus.
If you’re pretty sure you’re doing CS, I’d stay on track (disclaimer: there’s not a set TRACK you must stay ON; I just mean plan things out and take CS classes freshman year…) A CS major/adviser would probably be able to give you more detailed advice about courses.
About it being competitive, I mean I guess it’s “competitive” because you’re taking classes with some flippin’ CS geniuses, but from what I’ve seen so far, it looks like many CS classes have pretty nice curves, especially when compared to say many chem classes. I don’t know any CS majors who wish they had picked another major… :)</p>
<p>thanks bluephish! that was pretty helpful</p>