@marclevy1506

Man… as a former CS grad (class 2010), watching your videos really make me feel for your experiences as a pure remote student. I’m glad you got a lot of out the classes, but you need to up the social aspect of your University!

Idea. Try to create/find a small group of other people in your classes (I guess in the same co-op steam as you). Make group zoom calls. Do homework/assignment together over zoom. (Even if no one is asking help, just having each other there LIVE in front of you keeps should keep you more in it.) How to find these other people…? Reddit? Message boards?

The reason I suggest upping the social aspect is… 10 years out, I only fondly remember that part of University. The connections I made, still stay with me. The long days/nights we spent studying together, working assignments, etc I’ll never forget and it’s what binds us. Working as a group helped all of us. Those who knew taught and reinforced their learnings, those who didn’t found the answer instead of treading water looking for an answer.

Growing together with your peers is what will make University a more worthwhile experience.

Good luck in your co-op!

@ishaanivaturi2387

Wow, that CS136 one seems to cover a LOT of content for a one-semester course!

@dumbdev9795

I'm studying in germany at the RWTH for 2 years already. The first semester had an mandatory lecture for finding friends and groups to learn with. Was weird when i first heard of it, but it saved me so much. Found amazing friends which helped me until now. For everyone reading this, trust me find some friends to learn with. It makes everything so much easier. Even though i was one of the most lazy people on earth before university, those guys made me so motivated.

@Youtubeusermann

good videos, don't give up on the tech stuff. This is your ticket.

@raysun4554

Pretty nostalgic seeing this. I think there was a turning point late 2nd to early 3rd year where they finish fundamentals and move into the more interesting cs topics, hope you're excited for that. Enjoy the the next few years and remember to flex hard in CS488 if you ever get the chance!

@lucasalba7570

Love these vids, i’m a up incoming cs major and ur vids are rly giving me confidence. Thank you <333

@yunqianchen192

The tutor of my thesis also graduated from waterloo. It's a great school. Hope you doing well in the incoming new semester.

@skyhappy

I remember first year as well. I'm entering third year now. First year was a shock to the uni grind. Same with second. I still don't have a proper sleep schedule haha, I sleep late like you. Am also trying to exercise more to keep my body and mind in tip top shape. Uni has taught me mental discipline is the most powerful tool someone can have.

@db01brighton

This is a great video – very interesting to see how Canadian degree courses are structured vs the structure of UK CS degrees. I think new students would find this reflection really useful!

@epijaxixiwoaa9836

Goodness I see a bright future for you man! Goodluck on your career!

@floguo

but yes congrats on finishing first year! we really did it

@realanimus

funny how the video quality drastically improves when he changed to his phone cam :D

@Bankoru

I'm PhD from UW's IQC. I had to work with a lot of UW CS graduates and at this point it's really nostalgic seeing this.

@hulkraz1476

Also a first year CS student, currently taking the exact same class as CS 136 except it’s in Java… it’s a lot but I feel that it’s super useful for everything in future classes

@natashajchen

can we expect a bet 100 project launch soon? 🚀

@Flame491292

I went to comp eng with coop at UW during 2013-2018 and I get the same vibes but it's unfortunate for not only you but everyone else affected by covid because taking courses online really hits different than being on campus and interacting with people. When you talked about it being hard to meet people online I can relate because I literally never logged on to D2L or whatever you use now for the student portal and I also never read the group convos for my classes. If I could give you any advice, it would be to focus on your coop experience and landing a good offer by your last couple of placements. Your grades are pretty much to help you secure a good coop placement, but that's pretty much it because they don't do too much for you after grad. Good luck, I'm sure you'll do well!

@nomaanalwi9495

EE grad here (2012), for your second year definitely look at joining clubs. I wish I could go back in time and join as many clubs as I could. They'd serve as your "sanity anchors". I also feel that while it is convenient to live near the univ campus, living a bit farther makes you feel like you're insulated from the craziness at university. Your room mates may not agree so upto you how you handle that. FInally, enjoy your time at university. This time period in your life in precious and will never return once passed.

@ryanjhbae

Definitely a relief to hear that I’m not the only one who found this sem way harder than the last (esp calc). Great video btw, from a fellow first year cs student

@seansong4513

Congrats man, I've also just finished my first year in SE, and on my first co-op term as well. Honestly speaking, co op actually feels like "summer"

@igboman2860

Reminds me of my first year in 2005. I barely remember any details now