I'm a second-year student studying programming and I've been hitting a wall when it comes to applying what I've learned. I've read a lot and watched numerous YouTube tutorials, so I understand the theory and can tweak existing code, but creating my own programs remains a challenge. I struggle to come up with functions to solve new problems unless I've previously seen similar code—at that point, I often just copy it. I find myself relying on AI tools for assistance, only to realize later that I knew the material all along. I'm beginning to wonder if I don't think like a programmer. What steps can I take to learn how to create my own code and build projects confidently?
1 Answer
It's totally normal to feel this way—most programming students go through it. Just remember that programming is a skill that takes time to develop. Don’t pressure yourself to build complex projects right away. Focus on smaller tasks; practice coding 50 mini-projects that are under 20 lines. It helps you get comfortable without being overwhelmed.
Are there any resources that can give me suggestions for such small projects? My assignments often involve large, complex programs with hundreds of lines, and I struggle to start because I can't think of ideas.