I've just wrapped up my milestone project, which was a blackjack game I created on my own over five days, dedicating 2-3 hours of coding each day. However, I'm now continuing with my online course where I was originally instructed to build this project. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed as I'm diving into new topics like decorators and generators.
What's troubling me is that I seem to have forgotten some of the basic concepts I first learned in Python. For example, I can't even remember how to count down from a number to zero. Is this a common experience? Should I be worried about forgetting these fundamentals, or does it mean I'm not cut out for coding?
7 Answers
For sure, forgetting basic concepts when learning complex topics is super common. Just keep building small projects that force you to use those basic skills, and they'll stick! You’ve already accomplished a lot with your blackjack game, so keep pushing forward!
What you’re feeling is pretty common! Just like learning to walk, it takes time and effort to get the hang of programming. As you continue, you’ll find that the basics become easier, while more advanced stuff might slip. Trust the process!
Haha, thanks! It does make me feel better to think of it that way.
Just remember, consistent practice is your friend! The more you work at it, the more it'll stick in your mind.
Absolutely, all developers go through this. Even experienced ones search for basic syntax or logic periodically. Your brain is doing what it's supposed to do—learning, forgetting, and then relearning. That cycle is essential for long-term retention.
Thank you for this perspective! It really does help.
What you’re experiencing is completely normal. Every developer forgets things—they look up simple stuff all the time! Just keep practicing daily, and those memories will solidify eventually. You're on the right track!
It's totally normal to forget some basics while you’re learning new things. Programming is vast, and your brain can’t hold onto every single detail. Focus on grasping the core concepts as those will stick over time! I’ve been coding for decades and still have to look up specifics for different languages—you learn to rely on tools and documentation for the nitty-gritty once you get the big picture down. Just keep practicing and the basics will come back to you!
I asked GPT to quiz me on new stuff, and I realized I couldn’t even do simple tasks like creating a countdown generator, which felt really discouraging.
It's completely normal to forget the basics when you start tackling more complex topics. The key is to do some quick reviews or tackle small practice problems—they’ll quickly jog your memory! Feeling overwhelmed just means you’re leveling up in your coding journey, not that you’re destined to fail.
Thanks so much! I really needed to hear that. Knowing this is part of learning helps a lot!
I really appreciate the encouragement!