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Ivo Gabe de Wolff has been programming since he was 13, so it didn’t take him long to decide to study Computer Science. But after some consideration, he decided to combine that with Mathematics. By the end of the first year, he had earned an average grade of 9.5 for both study programmes. That achievement made him the best first-year Computer Science student in Utrecht, which earned him the Young Talent Encouragement Prize worth 500 Euros.

I didn’t have a problem transitioning to university life, but I did notice that my programming experience came in handy.

“I came in contact with Utrecht University through the Creative Game Challenge, in which I won the prize for the best puzzle game.  I didn’t need long to decide to study Computer Science, but I wasn’t sure about combining it with Mathematics. After talking to my secondary school Student Counsellor, I decided it would be a pity not to do it. I have a good insight into mathematics, and for my pre-university education I graduated with a 10 in Maths.”

Enjoyed

“I really enjoyed my first year at the university. The courses were fun and the atmosphere is pleasant. With a steady group of other students we attended the lectures, and played cards in between. I didn’t have a problem transitioning to university life, but I did notice that my programming experience came in handy.”

Getting used to

“I’ve been living in a student house close to the centre of Utrecht since April last year, along with two other people from my study programme and someone from a different programme. It took a bit getting used to cooking, cleaning and other household tasks, but it is a pleasant place to live and it saves a lot of travel time.”

Business

“I also run a small business in addition to my studies, where I create custom software, websites and apps. After my Bachelor’s I will probably want to do a Master’s in Computer Science, because it’s still more interesting to me than Mathematics. I’m not sure what I’d like to do after my Master’s: either go to work or earn a PhD. But it will probably be something with Computer Science.”