I'm currently a sophomore in Computer Science and I grasp the concepts taught in class fairly well. However, when it comes to building something on my own, I often feel lost and my mind goes blank. I've taken courses in both C++ and Python, but I struggle to transition from having an idea to actually writing code, especially without a detailed guide. Is this a common hurdle for CS students? What strategies or experiences helped you break through this barrier and start creating projects with confidence?
2 Answers
A great way to get started is to break down your projects into smaller, manageable pieces. Focus on one tiny feature or aspect at a time, and gradually build up. It’s all about making progress step by step!
Yeah, I totally get what you’re going through. It sounds like you're experiencing 'tutorial hell', where you follow tutorials but still can’t apply what you learned independently. The key is to dive into a project without a tutorial. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but pushing through that struggle will really help you learn. Just start creating stuff and don't be afraid to fail!
I used to think the same! But I found that iterating on simpler projects helped me gain enough confidence to try more complex ones. Maybe try expanding simple class assignments?