I've recently started learning Python and it's been 3 days so far, which is my first programming language. After doing some research, I discovered Codewars and decided to give it a try. However, I'm finding that some of my solutions are longer than they should be, and I can spend hours working on a problem. For instance, I tackled a 6th kyu challenge that took me about 5 hours, with some help from AI to break down the issue. I feel like I lack the skills to effectively dissect problems, which leads to my code being overly complicated. To help, I've started sketching out my thoughts in MS Paint, but even on 8th kyu problems, I'm still taking 30 minutes to an hour. I do tend to procrastinate, but I'm wondering if this is typical or if I'm struggling more than most. Any tips on how to speed up my coding process?
4 Answers
Three days is just the start of your journey! You can't rush the learning process. I'd recommend stepping back from Codewars for a bit and taking a structured course—like the MOOC from the University of Helsinki. It's crucial to lay a solid foundation before jumping into problem-solving challenges. Trying to tackle complex challenges this early is like trying to run a marathon after just three days of training. Focus on understanding the fundamentals first, and you'll build up your skills much more effectively!
Remember, Codewars is more for practice once you know the basics, not for learning from scratch. Use it to test your skills after you’ve learned the concepts—you'll get a lot more out of it that way!
There's really no set time to complete challenges—just go at a pace that lets you understand what you're doing. It might help to think of it like working out: once you finish a challenge, try it again from scratch. Each time you do it, you'll encounter different issues, but you'll also get more comfortable with the concepts over time. So keep practicing, and it should gradually get easier!
I guess I'm just overcomplicating my progress. Thank you!
Every hour you spend coding is a step towards improvement. Learning to code is a process that takes time, so be patient with yourself. It's all part of the journey!
Thank you! I'll do the course instead of just watching YT vids. This is great help.