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I studied electrical engineering, then moved to computer science, and eventually dropped out. Studying maths and physics was useful, in general. My advice is to study whatever makes you tick. I've met programmers with different backgrounds, like sculpture (as in making naked bodies with a hammer and a chisel), and philosophy, and they weren't worse professionals than the ones that studied computer science.

Word of warning though: research thoroughly what the program you're applying to actually covers. Pretty sure my big disappointment stemmed from the realization that their idea of "programming" wasn't what I considered "programming".

I have an undergraduate degree, a Masters degree, and now a PhD - all in Music - from Newcastle University. It has all been useful in that it has helped to generate some semblance of meaning in my life. I really want to continue to work in practice-oriented research and teaching, but it's going to be tough to find a way forward...! Currently stuck working part-time for a breathtakingly pointless call centre while I finish my thesis revisions and look into funding applications. That's the breaks. I would also say that my studies have proven to be useful in my scene music activities, and vice-versa. :)

@Gargaj Let us all hate the operations research guys for their "dynamic programming" and "linear programming"

Also, course names do not necessarily dictate the course contents. =)

It seems to me like the people that go to grad school generally have been determined to do so for a long time but I may be wrong about this.

I think you are wrong about this :)

I never attended any university, but I have studied a lot in my spare time. This has worked out surprisingly well for me, as a software developer working in computer graphics.

so it's all anecdotal yadda-yadda with the bottom line: every pot has its lid :P

I did a five year's MSc. About once a year on average, I get to use something I learned at university, and it's extremely pleasing every time. (“I KNOW A THEOREM ABOUT THIS. BEHOLD MY SUPERPOWERS.”)

University also gave me a lot of freedom and spare time I used to get better at computers. Because it turns out, a degree doesn't actually do that. :-)

The course on ecological anarchism at the university might have been useful, had the lecturer put some more effort into it.

If you want to sink deeper into the apathy and convince yourself that university is just not worth it, read:

Bryan Caplan: The Case against Education

But even Bryan has to concede that Electrical Engineering is probably useful, according to the metrics he uses in the book. So, go study EE!

In my case thanks to university I can approach programming (and other disciplines as well) with a methodology.

This also has been of help to develope an analytical mindset and problem solving ability.

I have now learned working and sitting still all day was the worst choice of my life.. Now i work in a factory with heavy lifting and love it, our bodies are not made for sitting/standing still all day, then I can study what i like for the evening!

Hi,

1) What did you study -> Audiovisual Arts (with film in specific)

2) Where did you study -> at Jagiellonian University

3) Do you consider it to have been useful to you -> well, surely it was fascinating but would it be useful for a demo musician? Hm, rather not particularly.

Greetz.
Y

I studied computer science, and it was amazing. Even though I had dabbled in programming for almost a decade beforehand, I didn't feel that any of the curriculum was redundant. My prior experience (mainly with Amiga demo coding) and the teaching at the university were pretty complementary.

Two particular highlights:
- Algorithms and data structures: The realization that programming could be approached in a rigorous, mathematical way, both in terms of correctness and performance, was mindblowing.
- Compiler construction: Learning how programming languages are implemented gave me a whole new level of thinking about programming which has profoundly shaped my career (both inside and outside the demoscene) ever since.

Some may say you can just go and read some books about these things. This may be true if you are looking to acquire a specific, narrow skill for a particular task. But being in a community where you have people to discuss everything with and can learn through teaching others, is priceless.

Were partying skills learned at student parties useful at demoparties or vice versa?

A mechanic and an (mechanical) engineer. Having also done both for living what kRiZ talks about, i second that.

Partying skills learned in junior high school already.

I studied "company maganement" and i stopped it on second year (2 per 3), but despite of I am nto a fan of system I remember studies as very nice times. I can continue that but for now I do not plan.