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An Update from Alex

Posted 24th April 2016
by Alex

Approaching the end of the academic year, I’m satisfied with the progress I have made, not just in University but also recreationally. I can now make simple command-line based programs from scratch. I’m also in the process of learning to program 2D games that don’t use the command line, such as a Skiing game with graphics that I plan to draw myself for my coursework module. A game I previously constructed is called ‘Space Cheese Miner’, which is a simple turn-based game where one has to collect cheese off of a board using a rocket and is played similar to a board game. For programs that aren’t games, I have since developed algorithmic skills that I wouldn’t have been able to grasp without mathematics – an A-Level I did not take during college, which allows me to create programs that get information from files that would be a lot more time consuming without the aid of such a program. Moreover, I’m more independent than I was before at college, something that I would have found difficult without the JVenn Scholarship.

I attend the University’s gym regularly as a leisure activity and I’m able to allocate time to meet with friends for both the purpose of studying as well as taking time off and participating in personal interests. One thing that has come to realisation is the possibility of being able to travel once my skills significantly improve further, and not just in England. Language skills are highly desired and this could positively affect my future prospects in all sorts of Francophone countries including Belgium and Quebecois Canada due to my knowledge of French. Because of this I have researched international prospects regarding Information Technology and programming that I might be interested in, should the opportunity arise.

The most important thing is that University has transformed my future prospects, emotionally and career wise. I’ve done things I would never have thought possible, the lecturers are great and additional workshops are available when you feel work may be getting the best of you. Yes, you are faced with daunting challenges, but this is what propels you into the in the real world. I can’t wait until I start the next year with full anticipation of knowing that there is a chance of me attaining my goals in computer science and securing my career aims. I used to have a preconceived notion that University would not have been for me, but now I realise that it can be for everyone. I may even be able to invest into my own business, should I take this path - a renewed ambition due to the help from my family, friends and JVenn.

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