The University of Texas at Austin, Computer Science, Daniel Lam

Name: Daniel Lam

Age: 19

College / University: The University of Texas at Austin

Major: Computer Science

Country origin: United States

What did you do in high school to prepare you for this major? Tell us about your extracurricular activities and any honors/awards you received while preparing for university.

I didn't spend much time on extracurriculars during high school, as I had family troubles from grades 9 to 10. What made me stand out was the fact that I tried as hard as I could during my senior year. I was a part of my computer science club, joined my high school hackathon, and got the rare opportunity to intern for Lockheed Martin in the Fort Worth location in Texas during my time in high school. Despite not having the ideal extracurriculars, I worked harder than most to show that I was willing to put in the work for computer science with the hurdles that life had thrown at me.

Please tell us your daily life schedule as a student with this major in your university.

I wake up at 9 AM and work all day, ending around 1 AM. As many know, computer science is not an easy major, with the rigorous grind of schoolwork and the constant competition in the job market. I'm constantly working both during and outside of my classes. Keeping up with SBI, my schoolwork, and personal coding projects can be challenging. Despite that, I always make time for myself every day. I'm never in my dorm and always out doing something. I enjoy spending time with friends, studying with my classmates, and, most importantly, struggling together to build a better sense of community.

How do you manage your stress? What's the secret?

Always set aside time for yourself; constantly grinding through schoolwork can build up stress over time. This will not only make you feel more overwhelmed but can also affect your grades and personal drive. I enjoy treating myself as often as I can to stay balanced. This could be getting a sweet treat with a friend, watching my favorite shows after a long study session, or even sleeping in a little to catch up on rest after a late-night study session for a big exam.

What advice would you give high school students wanting to study this major?

What I regret the most in high school was not spending my time wisely. Once you get into college, you don’t realize how much free time you had during high school. I’m not saying you should always be on the grind, but don’t spend your whole day playing games. Even for an hour, take the time to explore what truly interests you in computer science and discover what drives you to work hard. Maybe you want to create games, build the biggest AI company, or program robots that can take over the world.

Whatever it is, once you find that motivation, you won’t forget it after high school. It will stay with you—especially on those late nights when you’re stressed about an exam that makes up 90% of your grade. This drive will be the key difference between those who make an impact and those who struggle the most.

What was the most helpful when applying to college for this major?

What was most helpful was showcasing the exact reason why you want to pursue Computer Science. This could be writing your essay about your drive to change the world, how programming may have been your escape from reality, or simply the joy of creating something out of nothing. Whatever it is, colleges would much rather choose someone genuinely interested in learning and who dives deep into computer science, rather than someone who just wants to do it for the money.

For extracurriculars, I’d recommend joining any robotics or CS club, seeking research opportunities at your local college, and building projects to put on your college resume.

If there is an app/website/social media account that you love or follow related to your major, could you share the link?

https://www.instagram.com/baxate_carter/

Thank you to Daniel Lam!

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