Add student onboarding documentation for GitHub Student Developer Pack

[Copilot]

Adds onboarding documentation for new lab students to apply for and get GitHub Student Developer Pack access.

Changes

• Created docs/ directory with student setup guide
• Content covers:
  • GitHub account creation and Student Developer Pack application
  • Using ucalgary.ca email for verification
  • Proof of enrollment requirements

Refinements

• Specific to UCalgary: Documentation specifies using ucalgary.ca email address for faster verification
• Focused scope: Covers GitHub Student Developer Pack application process only

Original prompt

Add a docs folder and ad the following instructions for new students to the lab. Refine if necessary.

Setting up GitHub Student Account and Copilot in VS Code

This guide walks you through the process of creating a GitHub account, applying for the Student Developer Pack (which includes free access to GitHub Copilot), and setting it up in Visual Studio Code.

Part 1: Creating a GitHub Account & Applying for Student Benefits

GitHub offers a Student Developer Pack that provides free access to premium tools, including GitHub Copilot, for verified students.

Step 1: Create a GitHub Account

1. Go to github.com.
2. Click on Sign up in the top right corner.
3. Follow the prompts to enter your email address, create a password, and choose a username.
   • Tip: Use a professional username if possible.
4. Verify your account via the email sent to you.

Step 2: Apply for the GitHub Student Developer Pack

Once you have a GitHub account, you need to verify your student status.

1. Go to the GitHub Education benefits page.
2. Click on Sign up for Student Developer Pack.
3. Select Get student benefits.
4. Log in with your GitHub account if you aren't already logged in.
5. Complete the application form:
   • Email: It is highly recommended to add and select your school-issued email address (e.g., ending in .edu) to your GitHub account first. This speeds up verification.
   • School Name: Enter the name of your school.
   • Proof of Status: You may be asked to upload a picture of your school ID, a transcript, or other proof of enrollment.
6. Submit the application.

Note: Approval can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. You will receive an email once your academic status is verified. Once verified, you automatically get access to GitHub Copilot.

Part 2: Setting up GitHub Copilot in VS Code

After your student status is verified, you can set up Copilot in VS Code.

Step 1: Install Visual Studio Code

If you haven't already, download and install VS Code from code.visualstudio.com.

Step 2: Install the GitHub Copilot Extension

1. Open VS Code.
2. Click on the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the left side of the window (or press Cmd+Shift+X on Mac / Ctrl+Shift+X on Windows).
3. In the search bar, type GitHub Copilot.
4. Look for the extension published by GitHub and click Install.

Step 3: Sign in to GitHub

1. Once the extension is installed, you should see a prompt in the bottom right corner asking you to sign in to GitHub. If not, click the generic "Profile" icon in the bottom left of the Activity Bar and check for sign-in options.
2. Click Sign in to GitHub.
3. A browser window will open requesting authorization. Click Authorize Visual Studio Code.
4. If prompted to open VS Code, click Open.

Part 3: Verifying the Setup

Let's check if Copilot is active and working.

1. Open a new file in VS Code (e.g., test.py or test.js).
2. Look for the Copilot icon in the bottom right status bar. It should look like a small alien or GitHub logo. It should not have a diagonal line through it (which would mean it's disabled).
3. Type a comment describing a function, for example:

   # Function to calculate the factorial of a number

4. Wait a moment. Copilot should suggest code in gray text (ghost text).
5. Press Tab to accept the suggestion.

🎉 Congratulations! You are now set up with GitHub Copilot.

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💡 You can make Copilot smarter by setting up custom instructions, customizing its development environment and configuring Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. Learn more Copilot coding agent tips in the docs.

[rahit]

User your ucalgary.ca email

[Copilot]

Updated to specify ucalgary.ca email address in commit 158c7f8.

[rahit]

Remove

[Copilot]

Removed Part 2 (VS Code setup), Part 3, and Troubleshooting sections in commit 158c7f8.

[rahit]

See code coments