I graduated with a first-class degree in Computer Games Development in 2025, but I feel like I rushed through my final year and completed projects without really absorbing the material. I had little programming experience before university, and although I performed well academically, I now struggle to apply concepts independently. I recently watched a six-hour C++ refresher and recognized most of the ideas, but I still find even small projects difficult to start and complete. That has left me feeling as though I know far less than I should.
I want to spend the coming year rebuilding my skills rather than starting completely from the beginning. My main goals are to become more comfortable with C++ and strengthen my understanding of computer graphics before applying for a master's program in September 2027. I also suspect that undiagnosed ADHD is making it harder to begin tasks and stay motivated when there is no external deadline.
How should I structure the year, pace my learning, and choose projects that will help me improve? I would especially appreciate a realistic month-by-month plan covering C++, programming fundamentals, and computer graphics.
3 Answers
Since ADHD may be affecting your focus and ability to get started, pursuing a proper assessment is worth considering. Treatment and practical support can make it much easier to begin tasks and maintain routines. In the meantime, make the first step extremely small: open the project, write one function, or work for ten minutes. Use visible weekly goals and scheduled sessions rather than waiting to feel motivated.
Give yourself concrete deadlines instead of keeping the goal as “learn C++.” For example, set a small milestone such as finishing a console project, implementing a particular data structure, or completing a graphics exercise by a specific date. At the deadline, review what you actually managed and adjust the next milestone to be achievable. You can then make the time limits slightly tighter—around 20 percent shorter—once your routine becomes reliable. External structure can make a big difference when motivation is inconsistent.
Passive watching is useful for spotting gaps, but it will not rebuild your practical ability by itself. The main way back is to write code regularly, get stuck, debug it, and gradually increase the difficulty. If a project feels overwhelming, reduce it to a much smaller version or go back to a simpler exercise until you can make progress again. There is no special shortcut for this part—consistent practice matters more than consuming another long course.
That makes sense. I mainly used the long video as a refresher and to identify what I had forgotten, but I know I need to spend much more time actually building things.
I know I should arrange an assessment, but even completing the initial paperwork has been difficult. I have been trying to get the form done since late 2024, which pretty much shows how much this is affecting me.