Hey everyone! I recently started a big project as a complete beginner and set a goal to finish it in three months. I've been working hard, taking notes, reading documentation, and watching YouTube tutorials. I keep practicing, but when I actually sit down to write code, I struggle. For example, I spent an entire day trying to implement filters for my grids in React. Even though I use AI to assist me, I'm trying to limit that to just learning what I can from it. Still, I feel like I'm moving at a snail's pace. I really want to land a great job in the future, but I'm starting to doubt myself. Do any of you have advice or tips to help me improve my speed and confidence? Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
It's totally normal to feel this way, especially when you're just starting out. One piece of advice is to set smaller goals for yourself. Instead of aiming to finish everything at once, break it down into manageable chunks. For instance, aim to complete a specific feature each week. This helps keep your motivation up and gives you a sense of accomplishment as you check things off your list.
Great advice!
You’re learning the right way! Taking notes, reading docs, and being patient with yourself will pay off big time. The effort you're putting into understanding how things work is going to make you a much better developer in the long run. It might feel slow now, but trust me, it will get quicker with practice. Just keep at it and use AI as a guide when you hit roadblocks, but focus on figuring things out on your own as much as possible.
I have a different perspective. If you want to stay employable, consider starting slower. Familiarize yourself with core concepts like XML, JSON, the DOM, HTTP/S, and JavaScript basics. Instead of jumping straight into React, try building simple projects with just HTML, CSS, and vanilla JavaScript. For example, create a basic calculator or a form to collect address information without using any libraries or frameworks. This foundational knowledge is crucial and will make things easier down the line.
But it is frustrating. I spent an hour just trying to add a double-click handler to my code! Is that normal? I feel pretty stupid right now.