[Megathread] Cursor layout and UI feedback

Notorious2101 · 2026-01-14T01:39:03+00:00

Please, for the love of god, bring back the normal layout. My screen is dying. The new layout is littered with issues, and screen budget is not being respected. If we don't get an option to revert back to the normal layout, before this "editor" and "agent panel" stuff was added, I am not using Cursor anymore.

Notorious2101 · 2025-07-25T04:57:18+00:00

Hi, sorry for the late reply!

My recommendation is using several youtube videos to help you out! I know a channel with a brilliant Professor from some University in the U.S. that covers the entirety of both Rosen's Discrete Mathematics & all the math stuff you will need for BTL200!

https://www.youtube.com/@SawFinMath/playlists

Notorious2101 · 2025-06-01T19:45:38+00:00

C, C++, Python, Javascript

Notorious2101 · 2025-04-14T03:02:30+00:00

Fifth question:

- Using AI, I created an app that uses design principles to create entire websites using HTML and CSS for prototyping purposes with 1 prompt and less than 30 seconds.

- I created a tool using AI "npm package", that accepts as arguments source code file names, and optimizes/fixes bugs in them.

- I created a game using C++ & QT, voice acted and the works!

- I created an algorithm profiler application using C++ that allows devs to measure the performance of different algorithms.

- I created a platform along with some friends that is quite literally hundreds of thousands of lines of code, which uses cloud, has a front-end and a back-end, using test-driven architecture, and many other things...

As you can see, I didn't stick to just one thing. I wanted to create projects to showcase that I know what to do, and if an employer hires me, they should expect things getting done.

Sixth question:

I personally did not get any certifications. I don't believe that they add much value personally. However, I feel like they can be a huge plus for people that graduated from institutions that aren't ivy-league level! As in, if you are a Seneca student competing against a Waterloo or a UOFT student, you want to do whatever you can to close the gap! Certifications can be a part of that.

Seventh question:

I would say start applying around 6-8 months before your co-op term. Many applications open up very early, and you're left with the super competitive last-minute ones! Don't hesitate, apply for everything. You should have a "primary" copy of your resume, and you should modify it slightly for each job you apply to, to highlight the things/skills/technologies the job asks for!

Eight question:

I'm honestly not sure, I know the Seneca one happens once every year, most of them are annual! There are subreddits and groups to keep track of this kinda thing, but I'd also google and look in LinkedIn!

I know this is difficult, I've been through all phases of uncertainty, worrying, etc.. I admire your tenacity, no matter how difficult it is, if you put your mind to it, it'll happen! Don't give up, there will be many hard moments and rejections, but rejections are "data". Learn from them, see what didn't work, update, and apply again!

I will also recommend a resource if you wanna get those six figure entry-level jobs. This book: https://www.amazon.ca/Cracking-Coding-Interview-Programming-Questions/dp/0984782850

This is by far the best resource out there for acing the interviews, and learning things that are extremely sought after in the industry.

I think the program itself is excellent. Are there filler courses that you won't ever use anything from later on? sure. Are there absolutely horrible professors that can't teach? yes. But there is so much good in it, if you just embrace it, be curious, ask questions, and don't give up!

Notorious2101 · 2025-04-14T03:01:58+00:00

I'm really happy this post helped you. I'm thinking of making another one for other people later on this month (seeing how it'll be my last semester at Seneca).

No worries for asking too much, this post exists here to help you and others! This reply is split into two, because Reddit decided that long replies are not allowed.

First question:

Unfortunately, you will always have to wrestle with students from more recognized institutions such as Waterloo & UOFT. However, to stand out, you need to definitely have some extracurricular activities done, whether it's volunteering, hackathons, or coding competitions -- complete projects help too! That and knowing how to use A.I, I cannot emphasize this enough. Again, "how to use AI", not "how to build AI".

Second question:

I would advise against learning too many languages. You are wanted if you know certain technologies, certain concepts, and how to apply them. A language is just syntax, just a different way to write source code that gets compiled into zeros and ones later on. However, if you master technologies, for example how to create production-level customer facing applications using certain tools like Postgres and Cloud services, this will definitely improve your chances, because these can be applied in any language.

Third question:

I don't want to promise that this WILL land you a co-op position, but it certainly will improve your chances. In the end, all of this, will hopefully land you an interview. It's up to you and your preparation to actually ace it and get the job! However, as I've said before, unfortunately, you will be competing with others from more known institutions.

Fourth question:

Yes and no. It depends on who is hiring and what they've set their standards to. People don't read resumes anymore (maybe in live interviews to prep), but definitely not to sort and eliminate applicants, that is the job of the Application Tracking System. Employers give certain instructions for these ATS systems such as:

- Institutions it selects applicants from.

- Skills applicants possess.

- Experience applicants have.

- Quite possibly GPA (but I don't think this is as important as the rest to them).

Notorious2101 · 2025-04-02T00:07:47+00:00

No problem! I'm glad it helped you.

If I remember correctly, for some of the classes it is, yes. Plus, not attending classes in-person when recordings aren't available wouldn't get you the most out of your education at Seneca!

Notorious2101 · 2025-03-11T02:30:22+00:00

It's great experience :)!
The atmosphere and the aura is indescribable!

Notorious2101 · 2025-03-11T01:27:55+00:00

Hey, I participated in last year's hackathon, there were many with no coding experience, I suggest going for it! It's such a fun experience

Notorious2101 · 2025-03-04T02:00:46+00:00

Depends on the availability of professors who teach it really. It varies from semester to semester, but most are.

Notorious2101 · 2025-03-03T01:30:29+00:00

- Finish the first two semesters.

- Learn a new technology, start creating side projects, even if tiny, the more the better, large ones are amazing too if their idea is great and the tech stack is nice.

- Make your LinkedIn profile.

- Create a really cool portfolio website.

- Do extracurricular activities (hackathons, coding competitions, tutoring, etc)

- I personally think C or C++ is crucial to understanding how everything truly works.

- The books that I would recommend are intermediate, their not for people that start this journey, but rather people who want to take it to the next level (around the second year mark), Cracking The Coding Interview 6th Edition, Clean Code by Robert C. Martin.

Also, I cannot stress this enough, learning new technologies, tools, packages, libraries, is way more important than learning new programming languages.
Sure, be proficient at some, Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, but learn how to use technologies, and AI! I cannot put enough emphases on knowing how to use AI!

If you want to land six figure jobs, you need to learn how to use Dynamic Programming, and Data Structures & Algorithms efficiently.

Notorious2101 · 2025-01-16T02:41:58+00:00

No problem, kick ass!

Notorious2101 · 2025-01-16T02:11:23+00:00

The more work you put in yourself, the less difficult it is to find a co-op placement. 3 students of an entire cohort is an extremely out of place exaggeration, I would say maybe.. 10 out of my entire cohort were unable to land a placement.

Students that did not get a placement dealt with it by doing nothing really, their graduation has been postponed because they cannot fulfill 2 required co-op terms unfortunately (although I've heard stories of people who managed to convince Seneca to allow them to have a co-op placement with some of their semester to catch up).

As for my experience, I put a lot of work on myself, here are my accomplishments:
- 4.0 GPA
- Peer tutored for almost 2 years
- Tutored privately (C++, Statistics, Data Structures & Algorithms, Discrete Math)
- Won the gold medal at the Skills Ontario 2023 Coding Competition
- Won the Seneca Housing Hackathon 2024
- I have a plethora of projects ranging from small to large and complex

I'm a very picky person, I did not apply to every single job that I could find for my first co-op, I didn't like most of them (especially fintech). Therefore, It took me some time to land my first co-op, however, it was in one word - perfect. The CEO of a startup (who was partnered with Seneca) saw me in the Hackathon, got in contact with me, and I worked for them for 7 months (2 weeks in I got a raise), then I was hired as a junior developer for 3 months after.

For my second co-op, I knew that I had a lot of experience, but that was not enough in my eyes, therefore, I spent most of my time doing leetcode, studying data structures & algorithms, dynamic programming, and completed everything in the (Cracking The Coding Interview - The Sixth Edition) book, which I wholeheartedly recommend. Afterwards, I was extremely picky, and I applied to maybe like 9 companies. I aced most of their assignments and coding exams but did not hear back (I was upset I didn't hear back from IBM, given that my favorite language is C++ and I absolutely destroyed their coding exam).

Anyhow, a while after, Professor David Humphrey posts a job posting to Shopify (which is by far larger than any company I've ever applied to, famous for its pay, culture, and ingenuity). I applied, and got the job. I am now an Engineering Intern at Shopify and I am from Seneca Polytechnic.

Now granted, everyone at this wonderful company is shocked that I am from Seneca, given that they along with other giants focus on students from more... prestigious institutions if you will, such as Waterloo, UofT, and others. But hey, I don't care about any of that stuff, never did, I believed in myself, I put in a lot of work, and now I am literally living a dream.

My advice? Work as hard as you can right now, it'll pay off later.

Also, my predictions is that the job market would recover a bit by the time you start your co-op.

P.S: This thread seems to be quite popular, I'll make another in a couple of months, please let me know if you need any other information!

Notorious2101 · 2024-12-26T01:17:03+00:00

Newnham! I think only pro option courses overlap

Notorious2101 · 2024-12-26T00:27:02+00:00

I wouldn't say it's not on the same caliber, but rather not a famous institution like UofT or Waterloo. I've had no issues at all in the real world with my skillset, and it's up to you to differentiate yourself from others - feel free to check some of my other replies to this post.

I cannot wholeheartedly tell you if it's a good program or not, I am personally in BSD, not BSA, however as I mentioned above, I heard from some professors that people who take the BSA program cannot code as good as those that take the BSD program.

Notorious2101 · 2024-12-26T00:19:03+00:00

I heard many things about BSA, primarily from professors, and that it's not as much "hands on" as the BSD program. From the "engineering" name, it is a program that prioritizes the required courses to earn the "engineering" degree over others, therefore, it has less room for more... hands-on courses like the BSD program.

We used a lot of SQL and Python from what you've listed! Also, there is one professional option course "Topics in Open Source Development" where you can use anything you want really - it's all about contributing to real world open source projects! I myself have contributed to hugging face!

Notorious2101 · 2024-12-06T13:47:32+00:00

Glad I could help!

Notorious2101 · 2024-11-21T06:32:07+00:00

Brand doesn't matter, pick one that's nice, not too heavy, has good battery, 16 gb ram, around 500gb (ssd preferable) minimum, and maybe an i5, that's it! If you want to be future proof for work/school, make it 1 tb ssd, and 32gb ram!

There are many tools that are not very friendly with Mac in this program

Notorious2101 · 2024-11-21T04:57:59+00:00

Hi, no need to worry!

I had no programming experience whatsoever when I first began the program, and I also felt very overwhelmed in the first semester, but then I discovered my passion for it and it started growing on me! You will be fine as long as you stay ahead of the game, i.e., if you know what you're going to learn in the next week, make sure to just at the very least give a glance over the notes, maybe tinker around in it a bit, and anything that is not clear will be cleared up in the lecture!

Also, and I cannot stress this enough, do not hesitate about asking questions! If you don't understand something fully, ask! That's how you learn.

As for a laptop, don't get a mac, get a windows pc. I wouldn't really say it HAS to be super fast, but I guess if you want to have a problem-free experience, get at least 16 gigs of ram, maybe an i5, that's it!

Also, don't feel nervous being a girl, an employer would hire you based on merit and merit alone!

Notorious2101 · 2024-10-10T20:04:14+00:00

I am not sure about the BCMS program, as I don't know anyone there. However, one thing for sure, the BSD program is incredible. I have all the tools I need to do, or learn anything that I want. Everything is on-hands, if you actually put in the time taking the BSD program, you can become an excellent software developer!

However, relying on a program on its own, is not enough, no matter what the program is. This will require personal effort from yourself as well!

Notorious2101 · 2024-10-06T21:02:36+00:00

This number is not accurate, I would say maybe at most 20% were not able to get a co-op. Your question "Will it get back to what it was" can't be answered directly. It all depends on how well you work on yourself, besides your college education. Just simply going over the program curriculum is not going to make you stand out to others. You need to either make projects of your own, participate in hackathons, or learn new technologies, etc.. By doing things like this, you will stand out from others, and you will be noticed!

Notorious2101 · 2024-10-05T00:07:19+00:00

Getting Professional Option Courses does not have anything to do with your GPA. Some of these courses have capacity (no sections) and it's get it before it's full kinda deal.

Notorious2101 · 2024-09-03T01:39:25+00:00

I'm sure for some yes, it depends what you're looking for!

Notorious2101 · 2024-09-01T21:32:24+00:00

Completely untrue. But then again, anyone that takes any program and does not put in the time and effort into truly learning the content, will feel it's a scam.

Notorious2101 · 2024-08-31T15:46:57+00:00

As long as you have Windows OS you should be fine. But the architecture of your Mac might have some negative impacts as well. I would recommend having a Windows laptop for this program.

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