Programming

YES! If you can code and apply logic, take it. Passion, perseverance and patience to solve problems will make you a great CS undergrad. I was in the same boat. I took up Engineering Design in 12th, (something unique I know). It was easy, scored a 95+ in boards but deeply regretted taking it up and missing out on Computer Science since I have been into Computers since 7th grade. Advice:
- Most important advice would be to listen in your PSUC class (1st year) and sincerely code in the lab. This will walk you through the absolute basics of programming. - Join a technical club, IE-CSE, LUG, IEEE's CS division etc. - Keep following coding, technology, ACM, IEEE blogs everyday to learn about developments in research and the market. - Never stop learning. Make google your friend. If you see 'Virtual Functions' written on the projector's slides, google it, read about it, discuss with your friend circle (important) and implement it correctly in the lab. - Try reading books like 'How to solve it by Computers', 'Art of Computer Programming', 'Structure and Interpretation of Programs'
- Try coding as much as you can. Practice makes you perfect. /advice&get;
I didn't know what '#include' did before I came to college and now I can call myself at par with other programmers here. It's just interest and how much time you are willing to put into it. Don't take it as coursework, read stuff up everyday. One last thing
Computer Science is a Science and not just a programmer's haven. You should also focus on how programs are run (Compilers), stored (Databases, Big Data), managed (OS), taught (AI, Machine Learning), communicate (Networks), executed (Computer Architecture), analyzed (debugging), displayed (Graphics) and the math behind each algorithm. This is equally important and if not worked upon, then you're just a script kiddie.