I'm a senior software engineering student and I've found myself struggling to write code independently after relying heavily on AI for assistance. Initially, I really enjoyed coding and had great teachers who supported my learning. However, I began to encounter some ineffective teachers who made it difficult to keep up. Despite my efforts to seek help, I ended up depending on AI just to keep my grades up. After much time away from actually coding, I feel completely lost. I can read code and help others debug, but I can't write my own anymore. I've tried watching YouTube tutorials and working on personal projects, but I still feel far behind and unprepared for a programming job after graduation. I'm looking for advice on how to regain my coding skills and rebuild my education over time.
5 Answers
I faced a similar struggle and found that tutoring lower-level computer science students helped me a lot. You might want to see if you can tutor beginner courses or at least sit in on those classes. Just explaining concepts to others can reinforce your own knowledge while also getting paid to do it!
Have you thought about revisiting your old textbooks? Go through the exercises without any AI assistance. Real programming is about thinking critically, and AI can sometimes strip away that skill if you let it. Once you feel comfortable again, you can incorporate AI as a supportive tool instead of a crutch.
That's a solid plan! Unfortunately, I lost access to most of my online textbooks, but I can look for PDFs or try to find the books again. Working on projects as recommended might be the way to go!
It sounds like you're dealing with a tough situation, but the good news is that you can definitely relearn coding! Start simple. Try building something basic, like a calculator or a to-do list app. These projects will help you remember key programming concepts without overwhelming you. When watching those YouTube build-along videos, make sure to pause and type out the code yourself too—just watching won't help you retain anything!
Thanks for the suggestion! I had attempted something more complex, but I think you're right—starting with something simpler will help me get back into the rhythm.
You're definitely on the right track. Just keep in mind that while your teachers might not have been perfect, the responsibility to learn ultimately lies with you. AI can be a tool, but try using it in a more questioning way—ask it how to break down problems instead of just coding for you. You’ve got this!
I appreciate the push to take more responsibility! I realize I need to learn how to approach problems without relying on someone else for every little detail.
This sort of thing happens a lot these days. You could always consider redoing some of your courses, but even if that's unfeasible, just try to focus on self-teaching effectively. You have the ability to learn without AI—it's about rebuilding that confidence in your skills. Take the time you need and be patient with yourself.
I hear you. I've had a lot of life distractions that made learning tougher. I wish I could redo my courses without the financial strain, but I’ll take your advice to heart and focus on learning at my own pace.
That sounds like a great idea! I’ll definitely check if it's not too late to sign up to tutor or sit in on those classes.