Starting university often involves using MATLAB, which can be manageable even for beginners. It's recommended to explore various online tutorials, such as those found at amath.colorado.edu, to get acquainted with MATLAB basics. While MATLAB is user-friendly, gaining a foundational understanding of programming concepts through a computer science course can greatly enhance the learning experience. Languages like Python, Java, or C# are suggested as good starting points due to their high-level abstraction, making it easier to grasp programming fundamentals. Ultimately, familiarity with these concepts will facilitate a smoother transition to learning MATLAB.