Author Topic: DS in danger of being kicked out of CS degree, advice?  (Read 3347 times)

tomita

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DS in danger of being kicked out of CS degree, advice?
« on: May 11, 2018, 05:00:27 PM »
what should I say to my DS in danger to be kicked out of Computer Science degree program
while he  passed all his CS courses and enjoys coding he fails the latest electives before graduation
a CS degree in Canada would make his life easier....is it really necessary?
he still could get a degree but not CS
he says he feels burned out, and is lethargic...he lost his mojo after 4 and 1/2 years of coding classes + few terms of coding work

he might be right...philosophy classes are boring after almost 5 years of coding

advice? if he throws all away would he regret?

ElleFiji

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Re: DS in danger of being kicked out of CS degree, advice?
« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2018, 05:22:34 PM »
I would tell him to talk to his student advisor and find out if there is a way to code those classes pass/fail, to drop them, or to go on academic probation and try different electives next semester

sokoloff

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Re: DS in danger of being kicked out of CS degree, advice?
« Reply #2 on: May 11, 2018, 05:23:05 PM »
Yes, he probably will. (You can code professionally without a degree. Someone who is a class or two away from graduating with a degree should make a determined effort to power through and get the CS degree.)

There's an element of college degree that shows you can put up with a certain amount of arbitrary BS to accomplish what you set out to do. That actually has some signalling (and sometimes practical) value in the real world.

Moustachienne

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Re: DS in danger of being kicked out of CS degree, advice?
« Reply #3 on: May 11, 2018, 05:42:22 PM »
A friend's kid with a philosophy degree topped up by a CS diploma absolutely kills it in the job market, easily walking into well paid and interesting CS type jobs.  He's very bright so maybe not the average bear but I think that combo really makes him stand out.  Just my 2 cents if your son is wondering if the philosophy elective is worth it. 

Philosophy as an elective choice or not, dropping out before finishing the degree he's so close to would definitely be a regret.  Coursework might get him in the door but promotions are often tied to having a degree, fairly or not. He needs to play the long game.

red_pill

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Re: DS in danger of being kicked out of CS degree, advice?
« Reply #4 on: May 11, 2018, 06:21:35 PM »
There should be philosophy electives that focus on logic and proof - right up his alley. 

Dave1442397

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Re: DS in danger of being kicked out of CS degree, advice?
« Reply #5 on: May 11, 2018, 08:04:20 PM »
He needs to get the degree. After he gets some experience it won't matter, but getting the degree proves to an employer that you can commit to and finish a task. You can't get 90% of the way through a project and decide you don't want to do the bits you don't like. I'm no fan of all the paperwork I have to do before I can start coding, but it still has to be done.

tomita

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Re: DS in danger of being kicked out of CS degree, advice?
« Reply #6 on: May 11, 2018, 08:07:41 PM »
thanks all, we'll see him tonight and have a talk
we know is worth it,
appreciate the help,

joestash

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Re: DS in danger of being kicked out of CS degree, advice?
« Reply #7 on: May 11, 2018, 08:31:14 PM »
Does "burnt out and lethargic" mean sick of school or a sign of a deeper issue?  I had both in college.  If he's sick of school then he just needs to "buck up" and fight through it.  If he's depressed then maybe take a semester off and address that.  Either way, counseling may be helpful.

Another option...  do school part-time to finish out his electives.

AnnaGrowsAMustache

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Re: DS in danger of being kicked out of CS degree, advice?
« Reply #8 on: May 11, 2018, 08:33:44 PM »
Bit dramatic. First of all, it's hardly an all or nothing situation. He can pick this shit up anytime in the future. Secondly, maybe he's in the wrong career. Let him do what he feels he has to. Nothing is irrevocable. If I were you I'd step back and let the kid make his own mind up.

Hirondelle

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Re: DS in danger of being kicked out of CS degree, advice?
« Reply #9 on: May 12, 2018, 03:04:07 AM »
You say it's elective courses. There should be a million elective courses that are not philosophy? Just take a re-sit on the exams if possible or take another course that's more in his line of interest. Quiting your degree two courses before graduation would be a waste of the 4 years of effort.

If he's really heavily burnt out he could take a little break and finish the degree next semester?

tomita

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Re: DS in danger of being kicked out of CS degree, advice?
« Reply #10 on: May 12, 2018, 11:47:57 AM »
thanks all again,
-there are deeper issues with anxiety mixed in as well, he is addressing them
-as for the dramatic content, it came to us as a shock, we suspected the things are not great
but not that bad..
-there are 5 electives remaining, the weird fact is he failed 2, weird because electives should be fun and easier than the hard core subjects which he passed well.

I see the value of taking a break and doing some physical work etc, but don't know if the education system here allows for that.

Likely he'll take a lower course load even if takes longer,

joestash

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Re: DS in danger of being kicked out of CS degree, advice?
« Reply #11 on: May 12, 2018, 01:21:57 PM »
Well, I have a CS degree and I had a higher GPA in CS classes than electives and I HATED my philosophy class (the way it was taught).  So...  I would encourage you not to think of your DS's feelings as "weird".  I think it's weird that so many people spend so much of their time and money doing what other people tell them to do without any good reason why.  I found some of my elective classes to be completely pointless and that stressed me out waaaaay more than the classes that were more intellectually challenging.

I would encourage DS to pick any classes he wants that fit the requirements to graduate.  Don't choose classes "he thinks he should take" - take the classes that he thinks will be the most fun/easy so he can get a degree and be done with it.  For instance, I took "introduction to guitar" and "handball" among other classes to fulfill requirements.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!