I'm really enjoying learning about programming, but I'm feeling lost in my online Intro to Programming class at UMGC, which has a fast-paced schedule. We've covered algorithms, pseudocode, flowcharts, and basic Python in the first few weeks, but I'm struggling to grasp concepts like loops and boolean expressions. Now we're diving into functions, and I can't shake the feeling that I'm falling behind. Is it common to feel this way early in the course? Am I in over my head?
1 Answer
It's totally normal to feel overwhelmed at the start of programming classes. Different people take varying amounts of time to grasp these concepts. Just to give you a frame of reference, a typical 3-credit hour course can take 9 to 15 hours of work a week, not just in class but also for homework and self-study. How much time are you putting in each week? That might give us more insight into how you're doing.
I'm putting in 1-2 hours each weekday, and sometimes more on weekends.