One of my students recently sent me an email asking how to do my programming assignment for his computer science class. I have the same question and one that I get a lot. My first response was, “Go ask your professor how to do it or you’ll be stuck doing it yourself forever!” And that is what I got from a few too many younger students. So, here is what I said

First, if your computer science class has a programming assignment, it’s time to find out how to do your assignments. It may be that your assignments are due soon. In that case, you need to know how to do your assignment before your due date. You also need to know how to program a program if your program is due next semester.

Ask the instructor for the requirements for your program. Find out what you need to complete. Do you need a programming book, software, electronic textbook, CD-ROM, or Internet Explorer? What about a set of interactive study guides or CDs? You probably want to buy the text books you’ll need. Make sure your assignments and your program together have all the supplies you need.

Be sure your assignments are reasonable. Don’t give extra credit just because your assignment times are advanced. If you have extra time, plan to finish some of your content assignments early. This helps your student to learn how to program a program ahead of time.

Don’t talk down to your students or become condescending. Be careful in the way you talk to your students, no matter what subject they’re studying. The computer sciences field is competitive, but it’s also a place where friendships can be made and careers built. Be friendly, but stay professional.

Don’t be afraid to have long discussions with your student. Computer programs are just one part of the large world that students will need to understand. Have them read a book about computers. Ask them to read a magazine article about computers. Even if your student can’t answer your question right away, he or she will start getting very curious. This curiosity could lead to further learning that your student needs to know.

Don’t turn in assignments early. Many instructors will call students to tell them their assignments are due the next day. Stay until the last week to do your project. You may end up finishing earlier than other students because you put more effort into your assignments.

When you find a student called “A,” don’t be afraid to spend a few minutes talking to that student. Find out his or her major, what classes he or she took, and what his or her advisor is like. It is always good to have some information about your potential students before you sit down to grade the assignment or grade the test. Computer science is a wonderful subject to pursue, but it can get quite confusing if you don’t take a little time to know all of your students and their backgrounds.

Don’t give too much information too early. Give your computer science student only enough information that is necessary. Give enough information to help your student get by. If you give a student too much information too soon, he or she might forget some important details, and that can lead to having to re-do some things because they weren’t correct.

Don’t make promises your student can’t fulfill. Promise yourself that you will find out everything that your student needs to know to pass the class. Promise yourself that you will help your computer science student to pass the course even though you might not be able to give him or her every answer that they need. Make promises that you can keep. If you make promises that you can’t keep, you might find yourself being tempted to give in to the temptations of giving in to your student’s demands.

Don’t try to force your way into doing what you think is best for your computer science student. An adult is supposed to be able to work things out on their own. If you feel like you have to do things because you want to do them, you could end up making things worse by forcing your way into doing things because you think you have to do them. You don’t have to always have your way. Sometimes it is better to allow your student to do whatever they think is best for them and work out the problems as they come up.

Don’t take on more than you can chew. Many schools are strapped for money and are forced to turn away students who they would love to have in the class but just can’t afford to pay for the classes. Make sure you are taking care of your financial obligations while you are in school. You can save up to two years of college by being careful with how much you spend. The bottom line is to make sure you are meeting all your financial obligations so that you can get through college.