Are Schools Still Teaching Real Programming?

I feel you! I went through a similar experience. Schools often focus less on actual coding and more on concepts, expecting you to already know the basics. It’s crazy that getting into a computer science program usually doesn’t require a portfolio like art schools do. But you might find better quality education at universities with good reputations, so keep an eye out!

In my brother's school in Russia, they actually learned Python this year, which is a big step up from what I did (Pascal and VB6). It really varies from place to place. Don't let the AI stuff discourage you; it's just a tool to make things easier. You still need that foundational programming knowledge!

It's unfortunate that many schools struggle to teach programming effectively because they often have underpaid teachers. Focus on the fundamentals and learn what you can online. I started coding at 6, and everything I learned in school felt basic compared to what I could find on my own. Don’t rely too much on your school for in-depth knowledge!

Honestly, if you're not getting what you need from your classes, you might want to reconsider if it’s worth the money. A lot of schools don’t really prepare you for the real world. You could find better resources online and learn at your own pace. I ended up taking a math class instead of a poorly taught programming class back in high school and picked up coding on my own. The internet has tons of great material!

You shouldn’t worry too much about AI taking over programming classes. Technology evolves, and learning programming is still crucial. I highly recommend sticking to the fundamentals and ignoring the AI distractions for now; that's what will actually help you in the long run. Trust me, I learned a lot on my own before my official education really kicked in. There are tons of resources out there!