I’d recommended Arch because with NixOS you end up having to tinker too much. Besides, if you need to use Linux for development purposes, Arch follows the usual Linux/Unix conventions, while with NixOS you would end up tinkering…And you can always use the Nix app from Arch.
Just use Arch with Gnome or KDE, that will save you a ton of time.
Comparatively, NixOS is complex, while Arch is simple. NixOS diverges very much from traditional Linux distributions, beginning with using a diferent filesystem hierarchy, which breaks a ton of apps, requiring workarounds like patches, simulating a standard filesystem… In the long run, you will have to deal with many NixOS-specific issues.
Because you’re going to Uni, it’s better to focus on having a mostly just works distro with updated repository, and that’s Arch. On your free time in the future, maybe try NixOS in a VM just so you have a feel for it. And again, you can use Nix on Arch so you use apps from Nixpkgs.
This all comes from an originally Arch user turned into an experienced NixOS user.
I’m a penguin who was captured by human researches in Antarctica, but I was able to escape and then I got in touch with my penguin friends and leaders to raid the researchers facilities. Now the human facilities are under Penguin control, so we can use humans communication media like the Internet. Anything more you are interested in?
Swearing is one of the most immoral atrocities. Parents who swear in front of their children should have their guardian status taken away, and the State military should take care of them to teach them morality. Overall, swearing should be illegal and punished with death penalty, including swearing on the Internet.