Hey everyone! I started my programming journey in 2018 through YouTube videos and documentation. I built several websites and even freelanced for a while. During the pandemic, I really honed my skills by creating Discord bots, which took my backend development skills to the next level. Unfortunately, I had to stop coding in November 2021 due to personal reasons. Now, after two years, I've begun my college journey as a computer science student but mainly code for academic purposes.
Recently, I've felt the urge to create my own projects again, but I've forgotten a lot and feel out of practice. I lost access to all my previous data and GitHub accounts, so I decided to start fresh. I'm looking for tips or guidance on how to reenter programming in a meaningful way, not just for school but for personal growth too.
3 Answers
Don’t stress too much! Coming back after a break can feel tough, but your brain remembers more than you think. Here’s what I suggest:
1. Choose one tech stack to focus on, like modern JS with React and Node. Jumping between too many languages is confusing.
2. Start by rebuilding some small projects you already know, like a to-do list or a notes app; it’ll help jog your memory.
3. Use AI tools as coding helpers to debug and get ideas—knowing how to use them is super valuable now.
4. Document everything! Push your code to GitHub from the start, so you don’t lose any progress.
5. Focus on building a portfolio based on projects you’re passionate about instead of trying to achieve perfection.
You've got the right mindset about starting for yourself—everything else will come back to you soon!
Honestly, the best way to learn is to practice—so jump right in and start coding! Skip the YouTube tutorials and just start building. You’ll pick up a lot more from doing than watching.
Just pick something you love and start coding! You’ve done web development before, so why not create your own portfolio website? With AI tools available now, it’s pretty straightforward to get help with any coding issues you face. Just remember to write down the solutions because you might forget them later!
I wouldn’t rush into using AI right away—I'd suggest focusing on getting your coding skills sharp first. Learning to code is a skill, and AI can complicate things if you're not careful. Just take it slow and master one program at a time.