What Programming Path Should I Take While Studying Psychology?
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MellowCedar42
I'm a 19-year-old psychology student at university, but I've always been interested in technology. Financial circumstances kept me from pursuing it formally, and my university doesn't allow students to take two majors at once. I'd like to learn online and explore both website development and game development. I also have an idea for a game I want to build on Roblox, but I don't know where to begin. What programming language or learning path would be a good starting point? I'm mainly looking to broaden my skills rather than immediately change my degree or focus on only one area.
Answers
A statically typed language such as Java or C# can teach solid programming habits and make concepts like types and program structure clear. C# is especially useful if you later explore game development with Unity. You don't need to commit permanently to one language, though—the fundamentals transfer well between languages. Python or TypeScript can also be approachable, but the best choice depends on the kind of projects you want to make.
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A computer science degree can help with some corporate programming jobs, but it isn't the only way into the field. A portfolio of finished projects, practical skills, and the ability to explain your decisions can matter a lot, especially for freelance work. Start with small, complete projects instead of trying to build your entire game immediately. For your Roblox idea, learn the platform's scripting language, follow its official beginner lessons, and make a tiny playable prototype first.
MellowCedar42: I was worried that not having a computing degree would prevent me from getting work, so it's reassuring to know that projects and demonstrable skills can also matter.
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You can start without changing your major. If your university offers an introductory programming course, taking that would give you structure and help you learn the fundamentals. Otherwise, use a beginner-friendly online course and build small projects as you go. For Roblox specifically, learning Lua is the most direct route, while web development would eventually involve HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
MellowCedar42: That makes sense. I'll start by learning the basic programming concepts online and then look into a beginner project.
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SilverMaple8: Go or Rust are also possible choices if you enjoy them, but for a specific goal like Roblox or web development, starting with the language used by that platform may be more practical.