Welcome to FAST NUCES Islamabad!
Congratulations! Congratulations!! Congratulations!!! I know that among all the people reading this, each individual feels differently about getting into this esteemed university. The circumstances under which you joined college may or may not be a sore spot for you. Personally, I was all set to start my college journey abroad, however, according to circumstances at the time I had to stay back. It took me quite a while to finally accept the situation and come to terms with it. Perhaps this was your dream college, or maybe you’re still waiting to hear from them — whichever the case may be, let’s try to make the most of this opportunity shall we?
Firstly, Welcome. ^_^
If you’re feeling a little lost, overwhelmed, excited, or even just curious about what lies ahead in your time at FAST Islamabad, you’re not alone. Starting this new chapter in your academic journey can bring a whirlwind of emotions and questions. I would know, I was in the exact same spot as you, three years ago. Back then, things were very different for freshmen. There were almost no public resources or platforms to help guide you with your first year. Things are very different this time around with new resources, and actively involved seniors & faculty-members.
I am currently a Senior pursuing an undergraduate degree in Computer Science here. How has it been you ask?
Absolutely. Brutal.
But I have enjoyed it for the most part.
And I’m here in attempts to help bridge the gap between the university culture & expectations, with the incoming freshman by sharing experiences and insights I’ve gathered from different people at FAST, along with my own two cents.
I will preface everything by saying that most of what you may have heard about FAST contains some truth. “It’s difficult to get a good CGPA, the grading is not ideal, life at FAST is tough, it’s demanding, the faculty is not accommodating” so on and so forth. These are just some of the statements that you might have come across before joining. I’m definitely not here to speak with bias, hence my claim is that any great university follows a set of rules and enforces rigor to prepare their students for what’s waiting for them out there in the ‘real-world’. As someone who recently got selected for a renowned internship opportunity I got to experience first-hand how useful the skills are, that FAST instills in you. Surely, this is an entirely separate discussion for another time. For now, I will say that it is up to us to make the most of the situation we are dealt with.
For first year students, what I have to say is that be mindful and have self-belief. The first year is an especially slippery slope because university culture and expectations are very difficult from what you have experienced in high school so far. Depending on what your goals and aspirations are, you’ll have to tread according. From the very start you should adopt certain habits that will help you get through the next 4 years otherwise …
Things you should keep in mind
For those who are coming into Computing without a tech background, you are bound to get frustrated. Programming can be a pretty daunting experience that will leave you doubting yourself, and questioning whether this is the right field for you. I’m here to tell you that I went through the exact situation back when I started. I came from a computing background in my O and A levels, but even then the quality and level of programming expected at FAST overwhelmed me. The only way to tackle this is through practice. No one is born with a ‘coding’ mindset. As you move along the first semester, your instructors will guide you on what to do and what not to do — listen to them.
Additionally, I also cannot put enough emphasis on time management and organization. They may seem like buzz-words but the sooner you learn how to manage your time, study smart, and stay organized, the quicker you’ll be able to take control of your life. A lack of time management and organization has the ability to derail your progress to the point of frequent panic attacks and rock-bottoms. These were just a few of my two cents and things I wish someone would have told me sooner. Let’s look at what other FASTians had to say.
If you could go back in time to when you were joining FAST, what advice would you give to yourself?
“I’d tell myself to not panic and just BREATHE. My first year was spent with me anxiety-riddled and crying over the smallest of things because I felt like I needed to have the perfect start to maintain something good for the rest of my university life. It’s okay if you can’t fully complete an assignment out of the tens you already have; it’s NOT the end of the world. What matters is you give it your best shot. As for feeling alone and socially awkward, the right people will come along soon enough that you’ll feel comfortable being yourself with.” — Saamiya, BSCS Batch 20.
“Build connection with professors , connect more in university and improve my CGPA by taking studies more seriously” — Ali Naqi, BSCS (2017–2021)
“Get a good laptop.” — Muhammad Abdur Rafey, BSCS Batch 21.
“Plagiarism is real in FAST. Never give your code to anyone (or take). They can have a very bad effect on not just your grade but much more than that.” — Usman Kamal, BSCS Batch 20
“I would tell myself to not depend on only myself but build a good network and ask for help when needed. University put me through an emotional rollercoaster literally in the first semester, but I wish I could tell myself to just keep on going. At a certain point I stopped progressing, which was a big set back, academically, socially, emotionally and everything ” — Anon
“Whatever happens in your life might not be according to your plan. I didn’t get into the university I wanted, but where I am now in my life, in FAST, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Jo bhi hota hay, behtar hota hay. Just keep your head up and go with it. You’ll be just fine.” — Saniyah Junaid, BBA Batch 20
What advice would you want to give to students joining FAST this year?
“Take it all in; work hard but don’t work yourself to the core that you’re burnt out. My first two years here went by so fast, I can’t even believe I’m halfway through my degree. It’s a lot to take in, the work load is way more than you’re used to, so it’s okay if you’re struggling … but learn to ask for help. These are the last couple of years before you’re thrown into the adult world so make sure you take some time out to have some fun as well. Reach out, network with people and take care of your mind and body!!” — Saamiya, BSCS Batch 20.
“There are tons of facilities on-campus, make sure to avail them. One of the best things about this university is its student network. You can reach out to seniors or people from different departments, interact with alumni in excellent jobs etc. Try to take the informative sessions held by societies. The courses and classes will teach you theory, but you still have to learn to put it into use, best way in my opinion would be internships and work experience. Maintain a LinkedIn profile and keep an eye on job alerts and internship alerts, especially during summers. (also, don’t listen to “for graduating batch only”) you can always ask for help from seniors :D Also remember, progress is progress, no matter how small or non-linear. It is a huge achievement that you are admitted in FAST, so celebrate :DD ” — Sarah Noor, BSCS Batch 20.
“They should consider their programming fundamentals course carefully. Don’t leave passing it to scaling. Make proper effort in it as it will be the course that will become their base for futures subjects like OOP and Data Structures” — Anon
“To be patient, focus on what you know and what else you can learn rather than comparing yourself to others. Everyone is different and have a different pace.” — Hira Khalid, BSCS Batch 19
Work for Your Furture
FASTians definitely dominate the tech industry in many aspects. Our alumni network is one of the strongest in Pakistan. Our alumni network isn’t just strong; it’s a dynamic force that impacts the trajectory of careers of fresh FAST graduates and fosters unparalleled connections. I know back when I was a freshman, getting to hear alumni stories is what kept me going through difficult and demanding times at university.
If you’re still wondering about the impact and opportunities that FAST alumni’s bring, consider exploring the #GradStories showcased on the official FAST NUCES Islamabad Instagram Page. From Senior Data Scientists at Meta, UX Designers at Telenor, Data Analysts at Afiniti, to founders of internationally acclaimed tech enterprises, there is pretty much nothing stopping us from achieving the same success. These narratives serve as a testament to our potential. As your chart your journey at FAST, the only barrier is your passion, dedication, and hard-work.
The bottom line is, your 4 years of bachelors are possibly some of the most important years of your life, and not just for your career. Take this time to figure yourself out, find your interests & passions, and seize every moment that these years have to offer.
