I'm currently working on learning JavaScript and I'm in my 20s. After three years in digital marketing, I'm looking to make a career switch. While my boyfriend and one of his friends who are web developers can assist me with some concepts, I want to be more independent in my learning. I often find it tough to navigate learning resources on my own and feel overwhelmed by technical jargon. How do you all manage to self-teach programming effectively, especially when faced with challenging topics?
3 Answers
1. Start with a solid course and stick with it—don't jump around.
2. Master the basics before delving into frameworks or AI tools.
3. Use AI to query concepts—ask it to explain something or provide feedback on your solutions. Just don’t over-rely on it!
4. Use resources like FreeCodeCamp or Codecademy, but avoid getting lost in 'tutorial hell.'
5. Focus on practical knowledge too: understand Git, basic command-line skills, and the fundamentals of how computers work.
6. From day one, try to work on small projects. Gitting and pushing your code is essential.
The main thing is your attitude. Programming is tough, and it's alright to feel lost at times—most people feel that way, even those who've been at it for a decade. Rather than expecting to get it right on the first try, focus on consistent learning. Understanding takes time. Even if you're hitting a wall with new concepts, keep pushing through.
I learned programming back in the 1980s when resources were scarce. All I had was a BASIC manual and a lot of determination. You don’t need a ton of resources to start—what you need is curiosity and the will to explore and experiment!
Was that the classic Commodore 64 manual? That's awesome!