The Journey<br>To My Success

The Journey
To My Success

Paraschos Cant: "Success is the feeling of fulfillment and pride in the hard work you put in and the recognition of that effort"

I was that kid who would spend hours sitting and creating puzzles. Anything I could construct, put together, or take apart was my absolute passion.
As I got older, I became captivated by the world of technology, and that interest gradually took a more concrete shape in my life. Eventually, I found myself following the path of computers. It wouldn't be an overstatement to say that my love for puzzle-solving guided me towards Computer Science. It was like discovering a job that incorporated my beloved childhood game!

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I ended up at Frederick University through a transfer. I spent two years studying in Glasgow before returning to Cyprus due to health issues. Then, the pandemic hit, and I decided not to go back to Glasgow but rather complete my degree here. After considering different Universities in Cyprus, I found that Frederick University was the best fit for me. I graduated a year ago, and now I'm continuing my postgraduate studies at the University of Bath in England.

It would not be an overstatement to say that my love for puzzles guided me toward computer science

Leaving Glasgow and finishing my studies in Cyprus was not a decision taken lightly. Being in a prestigious University, I felt even more hesitant. I had doubts about the level and quality of education, as well as the overall experience at a private University in Cyprus. Perhaps I was a bit biased or prejudiced. However, upon entering Frederick University, I realized that I had made an excellent choice. The courses were the same, the standard was on par, and the overall experience with the professors was very positive.

The small class sizes were a significant advantage because they allowed for a personal and individual approach to the courses with the professors and tutors. Furthermore, it was much easier to connect with fellow students. It's incomparable to the classes of 300 students, where you complete your studies without knowing anyone. The entire atmosphere and environment greatly contributed to achieving my goals. Overall, it was a very positive experience, and I can confidently say that within a few months' time, all my initial fears and reservations dissolved.

Upon entering Frederick University, I realized that I had made an excellent choice. The courses were the same, the standard was on par, and the overall experience with the professors was very positive

Dr. Stefania Loizidou was incredibly helpful and supportive right from the beginning, assisting me with practical matters such as transferring University credits, as well as with everyday issues. Among the professors, I would also highlight Dr. George Dimitriou, with whom I worked on my final project. We had excellent communication and functioned as a team, not only on the project but also on research projects we conducted together. Additionally, I must mention Mr. Iasonas Iasonos, who was always available in the laboratories and could help with any question or doubt you had!

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Someone who wants to pursue a BSc in Computer Science must be prepared to continuously learn. It's not a field you study and then finish; you must evolve alongside it. To grasp how rapidly technology advances, some tasks assigned in my postgraduate studies at Bath last year had to be changed this year because certain things are no longer applicable. Month after month, year after year, you must constantly stay up-to-date with your subject. This means you need to have a genuine passion for it and be eager to closely follow its developments. If you don't have a strong interest, you will simply fall behind.

The opportunities and job prospects in our field are countless because it's so vast, offering unlimited opportunities. Judging from my personal experience, there are numerous job openings available. I received several offers from companies in various industries and even had an offer to teach. However, I chose to work as a freelancer, and so far, it's been going quite well. One of my clients is a major company that exports Cypriot products, and I handle all their programs, website, and overall support.

Someone who wants to pursue a career in Computer Science must be prepared to continuously learn. It's not a field you study and then finish

What does success mean to me? Personally, I cannot define it as one specific thing.
Success can come in various forms for each individual. You might be born lucky, with certain talents, wealthy parents, abundant opportunities right in front of you, but unless you put in effort and hard work, you may never feel truly successful. Success is the feeling of fulfillment and pride in the hard work you put in and the recognition of that effort. It's about appreciating the talents, the advantages, as well as the challenges that come into your life. By fully utilizing these experiences, and with the support of loved ones who cherish and encourage you, you can achieve success.

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