10 Ways to Learn Computer Science as a High School Student

High school is a great time to begin learning computer science. In this blog, we’ll break it down for you and give you 10 great ways in which you can begin to build key skills in computer science.

Why learn computer science in high school?

Studying computer science teaches you essential and sought-after skills such as problem-solving, computational thinking, and analytical thinking, while also enhancing your creativity and innovative thinking. While being familiar with a programming language isn’t a prerequisite to getting into a computer science program at the undergraduate level, it definitely gives you a leg up. It shows that you are passionate about computer science and have made an effort to go beyond your school curriculum, which can definitely be an advantage when applying to universities! 

As a preliminary step, before we dive into ways you can learn computer science, it is important for you to choose a programming language to learn. A huge part of starting to code is making sure that you learn  a programming language that’s comfortable and natural to you. This also depends on what you may intend to do with the programming language that you will learn. Below are some of the languages you can learn, and their applications to help you understand which language might be a good starting point for you! Here are some options: 

1. SQL: This language is mainly used for Database management. It is particularly used to interact with databases such as MySQL. 

2. HTML/CSS: HTML is infamous for being used to structure web content, while CSS is more popular for designing web pages. 

3. C#: C# is commonly used to develop games using the Unity game engine. It is also used for app development using Xamarin. 

4. JavaScript: This is another language that is essential for front-end and back-end development. 

5. Python: Probably the most popular language on this list, Python is known for being easy to read. It is mainly used for web development frameworks like Django and Flask. 

Once you have done this, you are all set to explore the 10 different ways you can learn computer science in high school! 

1. Enroll yourself in online courses

One of the simplest ways to get started on basic concepts in computer science is by taking an online course. These courses are very beginner-friendly and assume no previous knowledge of the subject. You could get started by learning a programming language, understanding data types, or even diving into digital ethics depending on what you’re interested in pursuing. Here are some helpful courses to get you started:

a. Coursera for programming languages: A great way of choosing an online course is by just picking your programming language of choice and taking a course on that language on Coursera, preferably offered by a prestigious and dependable university. There are a variety of courses on every programming language imaginable offered by universities such as Duke and UC San Diego. The courses could be paid or free depending on what you choose. 

b. Veritas AI - AI Scholars Program: If you’re interested in getting to know more about the ever-growing field of artificial intelligence and computer science, then this bootcamp is for you. This is a 10-session program that is very beginner-friendly and requires no prior coding experience. You will dive into topics such as regression, image classification, neural networks, and natural language processing (NLP). This course also requires you to work on hands-on, application-based projects in groups under the guidance of experienced mentors. You can apply for the program here. 

c. Google Courses on Coursera: These courses offered by Google cover a range of topics, from foundations in cybersecurity and UX design to programming essentials such as SQL and Linux. They’re beginner-friendly, and allow you to revisit the course content, letting you take the course at your own pace. 

d. CS50: Introduction to Computer Science: This course, offered by Harvard University through edX is a popular online course to teach you the foundations of computer science. The course will teach you how to think like a computer scientist and solve programming problems efficiently. It will also give you an understanding of some basic concepts such as web development and cybersecurity through a programming language such as C, Python, or HTML. You will also have to create a final project based on what you’ve learned and present it to your peers. 

2. Take AP Computer Science A

As a high school student who is considering a career in computer science, AP Computer Science A is an obvious and necessary course to take. These courses are meant for high school students with minimal to no experience and will provide you with a strong foundation in programming and engineering principles. The programming language usually used in this course is Java, and you will learn the language throughout the course. 

You will learn more advanced programming, algorithms, and data structures in AP Computer Science B. This course picks up where AP Computer Science A left off and gives you a more in-depth view of the analysis and design of algorithms and the rationale behind the algorithm creation process. This isn’t a recommended course for complete beginners, and we’d suggest you take AP Computer Science A before taking this course, as you will need a strong grasp of the basics. 

A lot of universities require AP computer science as a prerequisite to attend, so if you wish to pursue computer science at the university level in college, then you should definitely take this course. It will also add merit to your college application if you get a good grade in this course, so make sure to do your best! 

Here is a quick read on 8 reasons why you should take AP Computer Science in high school! 

3. Subscribe to the right YouTube channels 

For those of you who are visual learners, but don’t necessarily want to pay for a course, YouTube channels are a great way to engage with the material you’re learning at your own pace. There are various types of tech-focused YouTube channels, ranging from those that cover content in a course-type manner, to those that discuss interesting and new concepts in CS which you may not learn in traditional courses. If that sounds interesting to you, check these channels out: 

a. MIT OpenCourseWare: This channel is run by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and covers various concepts in computer science from basic programming to advanced algorithms. Subscribing to this channel will help you have easy access to complete playlists dedicated to these concepts. These playlists include step-by-step tutorials as well as videos to help you become a better programmer.

b. Computerphile: This channel is run by Brady Haran, who is renowned for running educational channels. This channel covers the newest trends in computer science such as blockchains, game development and app development. 

c. Thenewboston: This is a comprehensive YouTube channel that covers almost all the basics that a computer science student would want to be familiar with. The channel has tutorials for various programming languages, such as Python, Django, and C. These tutorials are entertaining and easy to understand, regardless of your prior experience. 

d. Tom Scott: Tom Scott is a creator who is known for making educational videos, especially focused on technology. He has a series of videos called The Basics, which cover basic computer science concepts through fun and engaging examples and are tailor-made for people who aren’t computer scientists - making this a great fit for you if you’re a beginner!

4. Join online computer science forums 

A great way to make sure that your journey into computer science is as smooth as possible is to join forums and communities online. These forums will help you answer any questions you may have, engage in thoughtful discussions, and gain insights from fellow programmers. Here’s some you can join: 

a. Stack Overflow: Every prospective tech major knows what Stack Overflow is. This website is a community-based space to find and contribute answers to any technical challenges you may face. It is one of the most popular websites for asking about programming and computer science-related doubts. 

b. Reddit’s r/computerscience and r/askcomputerscience subreddits: These subreddits are dedicated to computer science content which will help anyone who’s new to the world catch up. While r/computerscience revolves around discussion and debate over the newest innovations in computer science, r/askcomputerscience is more focused on answering any questions you may have relating to computer science and provides you with resources to help solve these issues, similar to Stack Overflow. However, one key difference between Stack Overflow and Reddit is that you’ll find younger members on Reddit, discussing more modern ways of tackling issues, while Stack Overflow comprises older users, discussing more traditional computer science problems.  

You could also check out Discord servers such as Learn AI Together, for more casual spaces to chat and discuss all things computer science. 

5. Join a high school club

To involve yourself in an in-person discussion rather than an online forum, a high school club related to computer science would be a great way to engage with peers with similar interests. This could be the ML, AI, data science, or robotics club. These clubs usually meet every week, participate in projects, and organize events. You could get any and all doubts you have in your computer science journey resolved by other members of the club. Check out the Branham High School Computer Science Club and the Lambert High Computer Science Club to learn more about how these clubs work!

If a computer science club doesn’t exist already in your high school, you can make your own depending on the subject you’re interested in and build a space where like-minded individuals can help each other learn!

6. Build a personal project

Working on a research project from scratch is a great way to dive into computer science and its applications. This would also help you dabble in different fields and figure out which field you’re interested in. Having a personal project under your belt is also a very good look on your college application if you wish to pursue computer science as your major. You could also join a program that would provide you with a mentor to work on a project of your choice from scratch. 

One example of such a program is the Veritas AI Fellowship. This program will allow you to work 1-1 with a mentor from a top university, who is experienced in computer science,to build a project from the ground up. This program lasts 12 weeks and will familiarize you with building your own learning model, app, software, or research paper,  through a hands-on learning approach. Keep in mind that the program does require you to know python (here are some great resources to learn python), so make sure you work on your python skills before you apply for the program. Some previous projects worked on by students include “Detecting Tweets Relating to Disasters Using Natural Language Processing” and “Predicting diabetes’ patients chances of readmission using random forest and deep learning models”. You can check these and more projects here. 

7. Participate in hackathons

If you want to build your network and test your innovative skills, then participating in a hackathon would be a great way to do so! Hackathons help bring together groups of creative, like-minded individuals to build a project from scratch, using both software and hardware tools. Over a short timespan, you will have to come up with a way to solve a real-world problem. There will also be seminars and workshops for beginners so you can familiarize yourself with certain basic concepts before diving into the hackathon. This makes hackathons a safe and inclusive environment, regardless of how much experience you have in coding. You can consider one of the hackathons below:

a. Hack The Nest: Hack The Nest is a high-school-level hackathon hosted by MLH(Major League Hacking), the official student hackathon league that hosts hackathons across the country. You along with 300 students will have to build a project from scratch using software development principles in 36 hours. The event is targeted towards first-time hackers and beginners, so it would be a great place to begin your computer science journey. 

b. HackMIT: Beginner-Friendly Hackathon: HackMIT is a hackathon held on the MIT campus. The hackathon is tailor-made for beginners, with workshops and seminars to help you get familiar with the hackathon experience. You will work through one weekend to work on one of the following ideas; sustainability, education, interactive media, health, or accessibility. There is no admission fee and you will be guided by an experienced mentor

c. PennApps: PennApps is the annual hackathon hosted by the students of the University of Pennsylvania. It is one of the oldest and most renowned college hackathons in the United States. You will be in a team of up to four people and will spend a weekend solving a real-world problem, using projects like web development, mobile applications, and even drones. With PennApps’ strong focus on community building, you can expect to form life-long connections with like-minded students and professionals.

If participating in a hackathon interests you, check out this piece on the 10 best hackathons for high school students! 

8. Read newsletters, blogs, and books

Keeping yourself up to date with the newest trends and research in computer science will help you understand the desirable skills in the industry and how to use them. This will also urge you to use your critical thinking abilities along with your creativity, making sure you comprehend the literature, and understand how to implement the knowledge you take away from it. 

Some suggested resources to read newsletters online are the Hacker Newsletter and the MIT Technology Review, which will provide you with information about the latest research and developments in the field. You could also follow blogs such as Coding Horror and The Pragmatic Engineer which will offer you meaningful insight. Books such as Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software by Charles Petzold could also be a good source of knowledge, but make sure to approach the books only after you’ve understood the basics, as some concepts in these books may not be easy to understand. 

9. Apply for an internship

You should only consider this once you’ve got enough experience and want to apply the skills you’ve developed in a better and more hands-on manner. There are certain internships open to high school students, giving you the opportunity to engage with experts in the field and learn from their insights. 

While this is a great opportunity, note that it isn’t easy getting internships and that they are highly selective. 

One way to find an internship is through organizations like Ladder Internships, which is a selective program for high school students to work with startups in various fields like computer science, technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more. As part of Ladder Internships, you will work on real-world projects in the field of computer science and technology. At the end of the program, you will present your work to showcase tangible outcomes on your CV. Students have previously interned with board members of companies to build a database of startups that are gamifying health care protocol, improve website experiences, build backend and frontend hosts, and build technical MVPs using generative AI. 

If you’re looking for more computer science internship opportunities, check out this blog!

10. Participate in a research program

Research programs are a great way to dive deep into computer science topics and understand its various applications. As a beginner, it is also a good starting point to help you explore the many areas (and intersections!) of computer science to identify what interests you. Working on individual research projects is definitely a value add to college applications if you are looking to pursue computer science at university. There are programs that offer research mentorship opportunities to high school students to work on independent research papers in their field of interest. 

One such program is Lumiere Education, which is good for beginners looking to start their research journey in computer science. Lumiere is a selective research program for high school students, founded and run by Harvard and Oxford PhDs. You get to work one on one with a PhD mentor to develop an independent research paper. They offer research opportunities across various fields including computer science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, robotics, and more! This is a good fit for you if you are interested in research, especially if it is at the intersection of different fields!

The process of getting into computer science can often be very daunting. But there are ways to ease into it and the best could be by learning an easy, commonly used language like python. Another important thing is to make sure you utilize the resources and support available at your school to help you get started. Computer science is a vast field and even if you find a small part of it interesting, you should dive deeper and explore it - these skills will not go to waste and are applicable to other fields such as medicine and finance!

Image Source: Ladder Internships Logo