I'm a high school junior who loves coding, but I've recently hit a wall. College is coming up, and I really want to build some personal projects and gain internships to boost my chances of getting into my dream school. I'm involved in several coding extracurriculars, and while my GPA is solid, I feel like I need to showcase my skills better. Here's my struggle: I find myself depending too much on AI for coding help, which makes my projects feel inauthentic. I'm worried I'm not really learning to problem solve, and I feel like a failure. For example, I want to create a 2D tennis game similar to the NES version, but I have no clue where to start with things like collision detection, and I'm even stuck trying to figure out Pong! I want to improve, but I don't know the best approach. I've studied Java, C++, and Python and am part of a robotics and computer science club, but it feels like I'm only learning theory rather than practical skills. Any advice? Thanks!
3 Answers
It's totally okay to feel overwhelmed, but remember—everyone struggles at some point! The pressure of trying to be a '10x developer' can be toxic. Rather than comparing yourself to others, focus on your own progress. Looking up solutions is part of learning; don’t shy away from it! Understand how to read error messages, debug your code, and build from scratch. That said, practice small projects by tackling one simple feature at a time. You can definitely make that tennis game if you break it down methodically!
Learning to code without AI tools can really help you grasp the practical side. Think about starting with something simpler than a tennis game, like Pong or a basic platformer, to build your confidence. Use online resources and communities as guides—learn to break down your issues into smaller parts. Don't forget; coding is mostly about logic and iteration. Everyone finds themselves stuck; it’s completely normal!
Thanks for the insight! Starting with simpler projects sounds like a great idea. I will definitely keep logic in mind as I tackle problems.
A solid first step would be to minimize your AI usage and lean more on traditional resources like documentation. Generations of coders succeeded without AI, so it’s definitely doable. Shift your focus from completing projects quickly to actually learning each part of the process. Getting your hands dirty and experimenting with real coding without AI can help build your problem-solving skills, which is crucial for your growth as a programmer. Just dive in and start coding without shortcuts!
Thanks for the advice! I always thought hurrying through projects was a way to learn, but I see now that focusing on understanding the basics is key. I'll try to dive in more!
I appreciate your encouragement! I'm going to take your advice and focus on breaking down projects into smaller pieces. It really helps!