I know it sounds like a bad question, but I'm just really feeling defeated right now. I'm almost 27 and have had dreams of making video games since I was a kid. I took some computer science classes in high school and did a few basic ones in community college. After I got my general associates, I took a break from school for about five years due to struggling with my grades and I joined the military. I'm back in programming now with just one coding class, and while I can finish assignments, it seems to take longer, and I feel incredibly frustrated. My latest project has absorbed around 30 hours with very little progress, and I realized I mishandled a binary tree that was a core part of the assignment. Now, I want to know if all this frustration means I should just give up on programming entirely. What's even the alternative for me? I guess I'm venting here, but it just feels overwhelming.
6 Answers
You seem to be jumping ahead in complexity without mastering the basics first. Think of it like woodworking - if you haven't made small projects yet, it’s hard to jump into a big one. Instead of tackling big assignments, start with smaller tasks to build your skills gradually. Take your time, practice a lot, and before you know it, you’ll be cruising through.
It sounds like you might have lost the spark that inspired you initially. Dig deep and see what it was about programming that excited you. Maybe reassess what aspects of game development you love, and try to build from there, focusing on the creativity you enjoy.
No way, man! You're doing just as well as most newbies in this field. It's tough, but you're not alone. Hang in there!
Totally get where you're coming from! But maybe it’s worth it to take a step back and really consider what you want out of this journey. You've carried this identity as a programmer for a long time, but do you still want that? Write down your thoughts, and reassess where you're headed. You might find some clarity that makes the programming side feel better again.
What you're going through is super common in programming. Everyone hits those walls. Remember, if game development is still your dream, don’t lose sight of that goal! A friend of mine felt similarly but pivoted to web development and still wishes he’d kept pursuing games. Just stick it out a bit longer if you can!
Honestly, it took me two years of working full-time as a developer to even start feeling like I knew what I was doing! Don't rush it; every field requires time and effort to master. Look at any other area - would you expect to become a top surgeon after a few classes? It's all about putting in the work.
Thanks, I appreciate that! It helps to hear I'm not the only one feeling this way.