Struggling with Pointers and Data Structures in CS50 – Is That Normal?

It's completely normal to struggle with pointers! They're one of those tricky concepts that take time to fully understand. Many people find it helpful to slow down and not rush through the course at the suggested pace. There's no harm in spending a few weeks really grasping pointers before moving on. It’s all about finding your own rhythm. Just remember, if programming feels difficult, it might be more about the math involved rather than your coding skills.

Struggling with pointers is a common experience, so don’t stress! I spent a whole month just on week 3's algorithms. Just take your time with each topic and don't rush through it. When you're ready, you'll get it!

I’d recommend focusing on pointers first before advancing further in the course. You can look up tutorials, watch videos, or even ask AI to explain them. Sometimes, missing a fundamental concept makes it hard to grasp pointers, so taking the time to clear that up could help you a lot.

It's totally okay to find these topics challenging! It took me a while to get my head around pointers too. Don’t hesitate to pause the course when you hit a tough part—Google your specific questions, watch explanatory videos, and then jump back into your lessons once you feel clearer. Also, you might find tools like ChatGPT useful for breaking down complex concepts!