The speaker shares their journey of self-learning in computer science and coding, starting from their freshman year at New York University. They initially struggled with Python, their first coding language, and felt inadequate compared to their peers. However, they persevered and learned to appreciate the process of coding, not just the end result.
The speaker then took an intro to object-oriented programming class, where they learned Java, a new language. They struggled initially but managed to grasp the concepts over time. They learned that while they were passionate about programming, it required hard work to excel in it.
The speaker then faced a challenging time in their data structures class, where they found it difficult to understand and implement the concepts. This led to their realization that understanding lower-level concepts is crucial for learning more advanced ones.
The speaker took a break from coding classes to study abroad in London, where they took a linear algebra class that didn't benefit their coding skills. Upon returning, they took two challenging classes, CSO (Computer Systems Organization) and Basic Algorithms, and managed to excel in them, realizing that their previous struggles were due to societal pressure and expectations.
The speaker took an intro to competitive programming class, which they found enjoyable and learned a lot from. The class taught them that coding is the best way to learn and improved their coding abilities. They graduated with a computer science degree and received their first full-time job offer the night before graduation. The speaker concludes by expressing that their journey, which began with a simple interest in video games, led to a career in software engineering.
1. The speaker started coding at the age of 18 during their freshman year of college at New York University.
2. They took an intro to Python class during their freshman year at New York University.
3. The speaker was not initially good at Python, but later learned about procedural programming, variables for Loops, and conditionals.
4. The speaker took an intro to object-oriented programming class during their spring semester of their sophomore year.
5. The speaker was worried about learning a new language, Java, in this class as they hadn't fully understood Python yet.
6. The speaker took a data structures class during the fall semester of their sophomore year.
7. The speaker struggled with the data structures class and found it harder than any academic pursuit they had previously attempted.
8. The speaker took a break from programming and allowed the information they had learned in their first year of college to "literally melt out of their brain".
9. The speaker took a discrete math class alongside data structures and found it challenging.
10. The speaker was able to get a C in both data structures and discrete math, avoiding having to retake those classes unless they changed their major.
11. The speaker took another year-long break from coding classes and studied abroad in London during their junior year.
12. The speaker took a class of linear algebra during their study abroad period, which did not help them with their coding abilities.
13. The speaker returned to the United States after their study abroad semester and took their next two coding classes during their spring semester in their junior year.
14. The speaker took CSO computer systems organization and basic algorithms during their spring semester in their junior year.
15. The speaker received B's in both their classes and was closer to finishing their CS major.
16. The speaker took operating systems, intro to machine learning, applied internet technology, and algorithmic problem solving during their final year at NYU.
17. The speaker took an intro to competitive programming class as their final course at NYU and loved it.
18. The speaker received their first full-time offer the night before they graduated from their computer science degree.