Whenever we hear the term “Computer Science Student”, a stereotype comes to our mind—an awkward, introverted guy typing on a laptop screen in a dark room, munching on Doritos and sipping on a cola. This is the same character we have seen in many movies as a ‘hacker’. But the truth is far different. I myself am a computer science student and if I am compared to that filmy image, there is only one difference—I am a girl, not a boy.
Difficult Subject or Just a Perception?
Most people consider computer science as a very complicated and challenging topic especially to girls. When I inform a person that I am studying Bachelor of Computer Science, he/she looks at me pityingly-like, as though he/she wants to say, oh poor, poor girl! I do not know whether such emotions are due to the hardness of the topic or the fact that I am a girl. Do boys share such feelings?
No, Computer Science is not difficult. However, it does not imply that you cannot do it or only geniuses could acquire success in it. Actually, I would like the people to realize that not all Computer Science students are stressed and overworked. My personal day is exactly the opposite and that is what I would like to display.
Computer Science: Not Just Coding, It’s a Lifestyle
Many female students and students from minority communities stay away from Computer Science, assuming it will be too difficult for them. But I think my everyday, normal, rather ‘underachiever’ day can be a reassurance to all of them that this field can indeed be for them too.
Tuesday, September 15, 2020: The start of a typical day
9:15am:
I wake up, though look at my watch and realize that I woke up one hour earlier. I shut my eyes and lapse asleep.
11:20am:
Awaken for the second time. It takes a little effort to pull myself out of bed. My first class is at 3pm, so I take it easy to scroll through Twitter.
Then I get a GroupMe message—a student I mentor in an introductory computer science course is asking for help. We schedule a meeting at 12:30 and I head to get breakfast.
The role of a mentor and solving confusion
12:30pm:
I do send my Zoom meeting and the student connects. Her work in this regard appears slightly challenging, more so because she is a gray section student, i.e., she has never had experience in any programming. Well, I am familiar with the fact that the department has different sections catering to both the experienced and new students but when I happen to recognize that the assignments remain the same, it is a bit confusing.
Still, I’m happy I was able to help her. After an hour of conversation, she says thank you and leaves for her class. With that satisfied feeling, I clean up my house and call a friend to go to class with me. We go to the post office—she submits her vote-by-mail application—and then grab some breakfast from Dunkin’ Donuts.
Linguistics Class and a New Experience
2:50 p.m.:
My only class begins—Phonetics, since I’m minoring in Linguistics. Our professor teaches us how vowel sounds are formed—like [i, e, æ]—and how the height, backness, and roundness of our tongues affect them. We work on minimal pairs like ‘lap’ and ‘laugh’. My friend also joins in.
4:10 pm:
When class is over, we both close our laptops and take out our phones. For the next two hours, we play Among Us. It’s my first time playing, so it’s a bit of a struggle at first. But the second time, I become the Imposter and luckily my fellow Imposter eliminates everyone—we win!
Balanced routine of work and responsibilities
6:00 pm:
We grab dinner outside and I drop my friend off at her place. Now it’s time for real work. I print out my Discrete Structures assignment, scan it, and upload it to the submission portal. Then I help mom out a bit and check on my other classes.
The new module for my Historical Linguistics course is out and I see an exercise that needs to be done next week. There is also Phonetics homework and a Linear Algebra quiz on Monday. Everything seems manageable—there is only one class tomorrow.
Hobbies, Extracurriculars and Writing Inclinations
I fill out a survey for a mentorship program called Tech Array and create an account on Medium for this blog article. Checking the schedule, I realize that this article has to be written by tomorrow. Ouch!
11:02 pm: I start writing this article. In between, I feel like playing ‘Among Us’ again, but I spend the rest of the time writing. Yes, one stereotype is probably proving true—I am up until 3 am.
