Hey everyone! I'm a high school student planning to dive into computer science. I learned a bit about frontend and backend development back in 5th grade, but I stopped coding around 8th grade, so I feel like I've lost much of what I knew. I'm definitely pursuing CS and taking AP Computer Science A (which is focused on Java), but I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed. My college counselor told me I need to work on projects and participate in competitions, but whenever I try, I just get stuck. I feel lost with all the resources available and constantly second-guess myself. I'm also unsure if using platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank is right for me since I struggle with the coding concepts there. I'm a fast learner and really want to rush myself since I want to learn game development instead of sticking with frontend. I'd love any advice, especially from folks who learned coding quickly. Thank you so much!
1 Answer
Honestly, college doesn't always teach you practical skills for real-world coding, especially as CS becomes more competitive. Focus on fundamental programming skills and improving your logic. The syntax can change across languages, but core concepts remain the same. If you're set on CS, consider starting with an introductory course like CS50 to build your foundation. Just remember, do plenty of research on colleges—your degree is worth more if it comes from a reputable school.
Thanks a ton! I'll definitely check out that course!