James Dermelj, Bachelor's student
Switzerland
If you could study computer science at any university in the world, would you still prefer ETH above other institutions? Why or why not?
Yes, definitely. ETH is a very prestigious university, its proficiency is well known worldwide and I'm very thankful to have the opportunity to study here. From a financial point of view, studying at ETH is very appealing: It comes with all the benefits of an international university – such as high-quality facilities – at a low cost. Furthermore, from what I've heard from friends who study at other universities in Switzerland, ETH generally seems to cover concepts more in-depth, which is something I enjoy very much.
What is it like to be a student at ETH? What do you like most? What has been particularly memorable?
One of the greatest things about ETH is that you get to know so many new people who share your interests and who approach new projects with joy and ambition. The general attitude is much more supportive rather than competitive. Early on, I joined an amazing learning-group: we push each other forward, bond over study sessions and always help each other out when we face difficult tasks. Achieving goals with those new friends are some of my most memorable moments, like for example creating our first app or having a beer after finishing a hard exam.
There are also the student associations VIS and AMIV whose activities and parties present a good opportunity to connect with people from other semesters and faculties. In your opinion, what has been the biggest change compared to your experience as a student at high school (Mittelschule)?
As soon as you enter university you will have to find out which way of studying and organizing suits you best. There won’t be a teacher anymore who pushes you and who tells you to do your homework, you will have to work independently while being in charge of your progress. The level at ETH is very high, you will face many challenges over the course of your studies and you will have to invest a great amount of time in order to master them. I myself had to drastically change my attitude towards studenthood, I had to stop comparing it with high school, but to treat it as my full-time job: I go to ETH in the mornings, spend my 'workday' with lectures and studying and enjoy my time off afterwards. I think this change is the true challenge, but once you've settled in and established your routines, you will thrive.e in that sense, as the discipline still carries some of this variety I enjoyed before, as there are many different subfields to explore.
If you had the possibility to change one thing at ETH, what would it be?
The 'ETH Zentrum' is in the middle of Zurich, which means that there’s a lot of traffic as well as the hustle and bustle that goes with it. Only very few students’ apartments are located nearby and it doesn’t really feel like a place that is meant for student life. Therefore, I would prefer ETH to be based on a campus-like concept; an area reserved only for the institute, where students not only study and go to lectures but where they can also live and spend their free time. As many people would be living there, it would be more normal to study at the ETH itself with other students instead of on your own at home. Thus, it would probably be easier to motivate oneself to attend a study session and to help each other out when a problem occurs. Therefore, a campus could improve the performance and experience of each student by increasing the overall atmosphere and maybe even create a feeling of companionship between students of all fields.
Studying at ETH can be tough. How do you motivate yourself and create a fun learning experience for yourself and possibly others? On the whole: do you find Zurich the perfect environment in which to study, live and party?
In order to keep track of my progress, I write a learning-schedule with my desired milestones which I check off as soon as I reach them. This has the benefit of showing me my accomplishments, which often motivates me. Also, it’s very encouraging to study in my group because meeting up with people and discussing the topics at hand really increases the feeling of being in the same boat. And since that group expects me to meet with them, I feel more obliged to studying because I don't want to let them down. I think Zurich is a great city to live in and has a lot to offer: theaters, museums, the lake, sport opportunities for students, train-connections to other Swiss Cities, and so on. However, the nightlife in Zurich is very expensive, but fortunately the student associations organize a lot of affordable parties. I still think that a campus might improve the student life even more, but all in all I am very happy with my choice.