How Do I Approach Learning Programming More Effectively?

As a CS student, I can say it's totally normal to feel lost at first, especially with concepts like REST APIs. The best approach is to combine learning with practical projects. For instance, while learning web development, tackle a small project, like a customizable Pomodoro timer. That hands-on experience really helps solidify what you're learning. In terms of structure, we often start with diagrams and pseudocode to break projects down into manageable pieces.

Instead of thinking of code like a traditional paper, view it as a series of steps you take to achieve a specific task. Start off by defining what you want as the end result and work backward. This way, you’ll build only what you need to reach your goal, which is often less overwhelming!

I recommend checking out Harvard's free CS50X course. It covers a lot of fundamental concepts while explaining the 'why' behind them, which can really enhance your understanding. Knowing the reasoning for what you're learning can make a big difference in how well you grasp the material.

It might be worth considering taking a basic algorithms course or diving into discrete math. Solidifying your understanding of logic and problem-solving in English before jumping into code can really set you up for success when learning a programming language.

To get over that feeling, just practice coding! It's completely normal to feel like you're just learning vocab without being able to form full sentences. As for structuring your code, there are basic templates and design patterns out there, but the key is finding a style that works for you over time. Depending on which programming language you're using, there might be certain conventions to follow, but most importantly, focus on where your program starts and ends.