I'm a second-year computer science student, and I'm really struggling. I picked this major without any prior experience, and now I'm on the brink of breaking down. Initially, I thought my coding issues were due to a lack of practice or just not knowing the syntax well enough. However, I've come to realize that I can't possibly memorize all the built-in functions or syntax, but I should still be able to code and tackle problems effectively.
The main issue seems to be my approach to computer science. I believed that just solving enough questions and looking at old code would get me through, similar to how I managed in high school. But I was mistaken. The more I try to improve, the more I see that I struggle with breaking down complex problems into manageable parts, understanding which functions and data types to use, and ultimately solving these problems. I've focused too much on syntax without truly grasping the underlying issues and sometimes rely on AI for parts I can't figure out.
Now, I'm stressed because I don't really know how to practice these core skills. I feel like my foundations in computer science are shaky, and with assignments and exams approaching, I'm worried about just scraping by with C/D grades and ending up as a replaceable software engineer. I really want to make this work – I'm looking for book recommendations or online resources that can help shape my problem-solving skills. LeetCode-style questions overwhelm me, and when faced with complex programs, I panic and don't know where to begin. I feel like I've been focusing on the wrong things for two years and I can't afford to give up now!
2 Answers
You’re definitely not alone in feeling this way. A lot of students face similar challenges when learning to think like a programmer. A good resource to check out is just searching for "thinking like a programmer" on Reddit or other forums. You’ll find plenty of threads discussing strategies for improvement. Here’s a few links that I’ve found helpful in addressing similar concerns:
+ [Link 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/learnprogramming/comments/1j9ezmx/getting_better_at_coding/mhdna2e/)
+ [Link 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/learnprogramming/comments/1iz7wv3/how_to_become_a_better_engineer/mf10qbg/)
+ [Link 3](https://www.reddit.com/r/learnprogramming/comments/1j3w7x9/how_to_actually_learn_problem_solving_skills/mg3q9ya/)
These discussions might give you some new perspectives and techniques to try.
You can definitely improve! Make sure you’re balancing your study time with adequate rest – that’s super important. I had a rough start in programming too; my first boss told me I wasn’t cut out for this work. Look at me now, five years later, and I'm making three times what I used to. The key is to keep pushing through the tough times. Don’t doubt yourself too much!
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