Introduction:
I am noticing a lot of people when they are learning to code they keep watching tutorials and finishing as many courses as they can and I did the same when I was a beginner. But the actual learning happens when you practice problems and try things on your own. Tutorials are good for learning the basics of programming but it should not be the focus here.
Here are a few tips that will help you learn to code and achieve mastery.
Practice more problems:
James Clear says:
‘’If you want to learn quickly, learn from others
if you want to learn deep, learn from experience”
When you are a beginner try to practice as many problems as you can more problems you solve the better you understand. My mentor once said to me the more code you write the faster you are. He said when you are a beginner write tons of code.
Try to solve first Yourself:
When you practice problems try to solve them by yourself first because you are a programmer, then you can see the solution. In this way, you will look at other people’s approaches and you will write better code. Reading other people code can help you to write better code.
Take physical classes if possible:
If you have the opportunity to take physical class I mean if your friend has a skill that you desire to learn then learn from him or if you can afford the academy fee join physically. If you can take physical classes don’t learn online and practice more as I mentioned above and ask more questions if you have any confusion.
Take notes with pen and paper:
One senior developer said:
“In tech pen and paper helps me a lot to understand complex topics”
I believe in terms of taking “notes nothing can reach to the power of pen and paper”. Take notes on the topic and write code on the computer. When we are in school we take notes but when we learn to code we don’t take notes that’s a common mistake so as a beginner you should avoid this.
Understand Concepts:
Don’t just copy paste code instead, you should understand the concept, in this way, you can use your solution in other problems. Try things on your own when you are watching tutorials stop the tutorial try to solve problems on your own try to replicate code and see what happens.
Apply in your own projects:
When you are learning development apply what you have learned in your projects. When you learned any topic make 3 or 4 projects related to that project. In this way, you better understand the concept.
Deep work and consistency:
Deep work and consistency both are important during learning code. You should try to learn in a distraction-free environment. Consistency is the key give one hour per day but do code consistently.
Join Communities:
As a beginner learning in public will help you a lot. You can make your Twitter account and start interacting with other developers. You can start the #100DaysOfCode challenge. You can join global communities and discord channels coding-related or your field related.
Teach others:
“If you want to master something, then teach it”
Professor Feynman
It is even proven by science Teaching is the best way to learn. Teach your little brother or sister or find someone and teach him what you have learned daily.
Conclusion:
you should change the mindset behind learning to code programming is not like other subjects you should adopt the mindset of (trial and error). In programming you fail more you learn. Failure is a huge part of success, the only to figure out what works is by understanding what does not.
Be patient programming is hard but you can definitely do it.
“Through patience, great things are accomplished”
Hazrat Ali ( R.A)