One advice that I keep hearing from Computer Science seniors and graduates is that school is important, yes, but we need to be smart about our career and future plans.

Since the start of this semester, I have been thinking of what I want to pursue in the future and whether I need to go to the industry in the first place or continue with academia since it feels safer.

For long, I have been prioritizing my studies over any other thing in life. It worked well, but I have come to a realization that this is a losing strategy.

For long, I have been making excuses not to make time for other incredible opportunities and projects that I am able to do if only I have some free time during the semester. I also realized that this is never the case. I would never be actually free if I keep this mindset.

It’s more about setting the right priorities and making the time to focus on them. It’s about removing distractions and focus on what’s actually important.

As of now, I still find myself spending all of my time for courses. This is good in terms of academics, but not smart in the long-term perspective. I have only 5 semesters left till I graduate, and I need to use them more wisely.