Hey there! I'm 15 and have loved coding since I was 8. About a year and a half ago, I decided to get serious and took CS50x. I really enjoyed the course, especially the satisfying 'aha' moments when I got everything to work. However, I rushed through it and completed it in about a month, which I think led to burnout because I haven't coded at all since then. I watched all the lectures at 2x speed, which David already speaks quickly at, so I feel like I didn't fully grasp everything. Now it's been a year, and I've forgotten much of what I learned, both syntax and concepts. I know the logic is still there, but I'm definitely rusty. On top of that, school has become tougher, leaving me with less free time. I want to get back into coding in a way that's sustainable this time. My goals are to build a solid portfolio for future job hunting and to have fun while creating cool projects. Should I redo CS50, pick a different course like The Odin Project, or something else? I'd love advice on pacing myself to avoid burnout again. Thanks!
3 Answers
I think you're misunderstanding a bit when it comes to learning. Speedrunning won't help you absorb the material. It's crucial to take your time and really understand what you're doing, rather than just memorizing. You might feel like you understood everything in the lectures, but applying that knowledge is a whole different ball game. Slow down, start fresh if you need to, and gradually build your skills. Learning programming is a marathon, not a sprint—practice is key!
Rushing through CS50 at 2x speed is definitely a recipe for burnout! Instead of restarting the whole course, consider jumping into The Odin Project if you're keen on web development, but skip topics you're already familiar with. The real learning comes from building your own projects and tackling bugs, so find a simple project that interests you, like a to-do app, and start coding! You'll be surprised by how much comes back to you once you get back into it.
Totally agree! I rushed through CS50, and now I struggle to remember anything. Picking an easy project is a great way to get back into the groove!
Check out community programs like thecoder school or Girls Who Code. Teaching younger kids can reinforce your fundamentals and give you regular practice. Find something fun to work on; it could be experimenting with a Raspberry Pi or creating a Discord bot. Just keep coding!
I love tinkering with my home server! It's been fun and useful for my family. I've heard good things about The Odin Project too. It seems beginner-friendly, which is appealing.
I relate to that! Looking back at my early work, it all feels like a jumbled mess. I did all the problem sets too quickly. Definitely gonna take my time this time around.