Student Profile: Prem
born to program | computing advice | social loitering vs. academic isolation | random facts | spirituality
>I decided I wanted to be a programmer at the age of 7. My parents and most people thought it was just a phase…so I guess I had to prove some people wrong.
>Now, I have 31-35 hours of class (including lab time). Homework varies, but you can expect about 5-8 hours of work depending on how hard you concentrate in class.
>The hardest thing in my first year was adjusting to all the theory. Theory, theory, theory…why can’t we just write code???
>It can be hard sometimes trying to be logical when you have absolutely no clue about what you are trying to do or say.
>Hmm. There are so many good things about being a computing student… the lack of sleep…the adrenaline rush of having your program compile at 2am…the need for sleep when you realize that the last time that your brain was awake was about half an hour ago…when you were staring at that line of code that still doesn’t work.
- Study hard. The courses you dislike the most are the ones that you most probably will use on the job.
- Take the time to build a close network of friends… these are the people who won’t mind a call from you at 2am to help you out with something that you are stuck on.
- A person who will succeed in the technical field will have perseverance, ability to think (using your brains does help most of the time), humility to ask for help from friends when you are stuck.
- Avoid trying to sound that you know too much or you are the best programmer or whatever. Remember, no one writes perfect code. If someone did, we wouldn’t have competing operating systems…sorry Microsoft…here’s one for the Linux boys.
- Enjoy your time in school…writing commerical code takes a lot more communication than just sitting in front of that box all by yourself.
- Especially in your first year, enjoy your free time….you don’t get a lot of it later.
Social Loitering vs. Academic Isolation:
>From a very young age I knew where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do…and so have also pressed on to reach that goal. When I went to BCIT, I had to make a tough choice….social loitering or academic isolation…as most of my friends know…I chose the latter….but I guess the task at hand was worth it.
>Before I came to school at BCIT, I would never initiate conversations. However, now I am quite the outward person, willing to take a risk, make new friends with people who I’ve never met before…(hey, the more friends the better, right???)
I guess the one thing I’ve learned about myself is that making a fool of myself in public
isn’t too bad….besides…it’s a great ice breaker when you meet new people.
I am a quiet person who enjoys loud music. I am person who can be by myself for days….(I guess the academic isolation thing rubbed off).
It is at these times that I spend time to ponder about decisions that need to be made, consequences of actions, and planning that needs to be done in order to reach my goals. ( I guess I can also be a little crazy when I am alone….some way to let out the creative juice that is bursting to be freed.)
>I’m happy just the way I am. I wouldn’t change anything about myself.
>My most embarrassing moment was when I dove into a soccer goal post with my head and fell to the ground in front of many people…trust them when they tell you that you’ll see stars and tweetie birds when you hit your head.
>My friends say that I’m hyper…a bit crazy. I like Alternative music.
>I spend a lot of my spare time doing home renovations. My room is a one color room…with stuff lying on my couch…and a huge bookcase filled with what else?…programming books.
>The most difficult thing I have ever done…Trying to understand women…no, just kidding…I guess trying to clean gutters on your roof right at the corner of the house knowing that if you fall…
>I’d hate to be without feet….I LOVE PLAYING SOCCER
>The most influential movie I’ve seen is probably Forrest Gump…when a man or woman has a dream …keeping running for it…you will finally get there.
Prem talks about what keeps him running for it in his life
Related reading:
- Finding your passion and working in it
- Were you designed for a greater purpose?
- Read more student profiles
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