Hey everyone, I'm at the point of graduating with my computer engineering degree, but to be honest, I'm feeling pretty lost when it comes to coding. My school didn't really help me develop practical programming skills, and while I've recognized the need to learn independently, I've put it off for too long. I've dabbled in Java and Python through various online resources, so I grasp the syntax. However, when it comes to building actual projects, I just freeze up. I'm feeling stuck and doubting whether I can actually become a programmer. I often compare myself to my peers and it leaves me feeling like I'm falling behind. I really don't want to give up—any advice on how to transition from learning to actually coding would mean a lot to me. Thanks!
2 Answers
Honestly, I’m curious how you managed to get through so much of your degree without doing much coding. Have you built anything at all? You might need to really push yourself; try to work on any kind of project. I made a GUI app for processing T-shirt orders and improved it step by step. This hands-on experience can drive your learning and make you more comfortable with coding. Don’t hesitate to bug your professors for help too!
Start with small projects! It's all about building your confidence. You could try writing simple scripts or even a basic application. For instance, when I was in your shoes, I created a program that simulated a beehive. It was simple and silly, but it helped me apply what I'd learned. Find something you’re interested in, like a sports league simulator, and play around with it! Whenever you hit a wall, look for similar code online and tweak it to see what happens!

Exactly! You just need to get your hands dirty. Learning by doing makes a huge difference.