How to Just Barely Pass CSCI 112 Programming and Algorithms II
Tyson Henry

Note: I recommend that you try to do well in 112, it forms the foundation for the rest of the computer science courses.  However, if your goal is to get a C-, follow this advice closely.


Student who get below a C- almost always make most of the following mistakes:

1) Don't come to class
2) Don't buy the required clicker
3) Start assignments the night before they are due
4) Spend only a couple hours on the assignments
5) Skip one or more assignments
6) Don't complete the lab exercises
7) Give up
8) Cheat (cheaters rarely get help)

On the other hand, students who do the following very rarely get below a C-:

1) Come to most classes
2) Start assignments at least 7 days before they are due
3) Spend considerable time on the assignments
4) Turn in every single assignment (even if they are not complete)
5) Complete the lab exercises (they are not very difficult)
6) Do not give up
7) Get help, don't cheat

Cheating for a C-:  It may seem like cheating might be a good way to improve your grade--you could copy assignments from a friend or even get someone to write the assignments for you.  However, I catch cheaters each and every semester and they are always surprised at the means I use to catch them.  If I catch you cheating you will get an F in the class (I don't give second chances).  You have a better chance of passing the class by getting help from me than from cheating.

If you want to make sure you get a C-, do everything in the second list and nothing in the first list.  While this list may seem like too much to ask, it turns that doing these seven things is much less stressful than failing the class.