When university students study data structures, it's important for them to understand how arrays work in real life. Arrays are a basic type of data structure, and they give students plenty of chances to use what they learn in class. Let’s break down some practical uses of arrays.

1. Data Storage and Management
First, arrays help store and manage data efficiently. For example, if you need to keep track of students' grades or a list of items in a store, arrays are a great choice. With an array, students can get or change information quickly—almost instantly—compared to linked lists, where it can take longer to reach an item.

2. Implementing Algorithms
Arrays are key for using different algorithms. For instance, searching for items, like with linear search and binary search, is often taught with arrays. Students can understand these ideas better because they fit well with the way arrays are organized.

Sorting algorithms, such as Bubble Sort, Quick Sort, and Merge Sort, also rely on arrays. This helps students see how sorting works and the different times it takes to sort with each method.

3. Graphics Applications
In computer graphics, arrays are used to make images. Each little dot, called a pixel, in an image can be seen as a value in a two-dimensional array. This lets students learn how images are created and shown on screens. For example, changing an image's size or rotating it means changing the values in the array that holds the image.

4. Multidimensional Data
Students often work with multidimensional arrays, like matrices in math. These arrays are not just for calculations; they're also useful in areas like machine learning, where they help represent data. For example, a 3x3 matrix can be represented as a two-dimensional array to manage images or input data.

5. Stacks and Queues
Arrays are also used to create more complex data structures like stacks and queues. When students learn about these, understanding arrays gives them a strong base. They can easily perform tasks like adding or removing items using arrays. This helps them learn about important topics like memory management too.

Here’s a simple example of how a queue can be set up using an array:

class Queue:
    def __init__(self, size):
        self.queue = [None] * size
        self.front = -1
        self.rear = -1

    def enqueue(self, item):
        if self.rear == len(self.queue) - 1:
            print("Queue is full")
        else:
            if self.front == -1:
                self.front = 0
            self.rear += 1
            self.queue[self.rear] = item

    def dequeue(self):
        if self.front == -1 or self.front > self.rear:
            print("Queue is empty")
        else:
            item = self.queue[self.front]
            self.front += 1
            return item

6. Game Development
In video games, arrays play a big role in managing game states and elements. For example, in a simple grid game, a two-dimensional array can represent each space on the game board. Knowing how to work with these arrays is key for parts of the game, like detecting collisions or finding paths.

In conclusion, arrays are not just something students learn about in school; they are very useful in many real-world situations. Knowing how to use arrays is an important part of any computer science course. With a solid understanding of arrays, students will be better prepared to handle more advanced data structures and algorithms in the future.