No one will want to learn in 12 months what they can do in 6.
When it comes to a skill like programming, the only way to get better at it, is by practicing. And I know you must have probably heard this a thousand times, but common knowledge is not common practice.
So now the question is, how do I practice?
Here are a few basic tips:
1. Learn the basics:
Irrespective of whatever technology you may want to learn, it is very essential that you first learn the basics in order to get a solid grasp of how things are done.
For example, if it is your first time learning a programming language, don't try following along a YouTube video that teaches you how to build a whatsapp clone application or an amazon clone application.
Now I'm not saying these videos are not helpful, but the truth is they won't do you any good if you are just starting out.
So if you want to learn javascript for example, you need to start with the little things like how to write a simple hello world program, variables, functions classes..
Bonus tip: Any concept or thing you come across repeatedly while learning, read about it! Google is your friend.
2. Follow a step by step approach:
Now this step would be really useful especially to anyone who has decided to go down the self-taught path.
Don't try to learn everything at once, this is only going to slow you down, distract you or seriously hurt your progress.
You may feel like you're actually getting somewhere by doing this but the truth is, at the end of the day you won't have the required knowledge in any of those skills you were trying to learn at once.
You really need to discipline your mind and take things one at a time in the right order in which you need to learn them.
Bonus tip: You can take the list of topics on an online course and look for a way to learn each topic one at a time from whatever source you like.
3. Don't memorize code:
I can't emphasize this enough.
This is one of the mistakes a lot of beginners make and the truth is, the human brain wasn't made to memorize code.
Do not memory whatever you can just look up.
I know you did a lot of memorization in school, but that won't help you here.
The only thing memorization is going to do is slow you down.
Instead of memorizing, it would be better to learn concepts and also try to understand every code you write/use and as you get better, you will notice that the code you use a lot will automatically stick to your memory. It works like magic!
4. Be consistent:
Coding is a technical skill.
And just like every other skill, in order to learn quickly and get better, you need to consistently practice.
Set out a special time for yourself to learn everyday.
Stick to your schedule.
Don't say you're going to miss practice on Thursday then work twice as hard on Friday.
It doesn't work like that.
If you feel like you won't be able to commit 30 minutes everyday, you can try 20 minutes everyday.
Pick a schedule and practice duration that works for you.
5. Don't get stuck in tutorial hell:
This is something a lot of people have problems with and this is because we feel like we are not really ready to start coding.
I understand this feeling and it can be scary sometimes.
This feeling is completely normal and that's how it's supposed to feel like when you try something new.
But once you're done with the basics of whatever technology you may be learning and you have a really good understanding of how that particular technology works, you need to put that knowledge to the test.
No coding tutorial covers everything you need to know and you don't need to know everything.
Some things can only be learnt as you code.
So you just have to push yourself and begin writing code.
And if you feel like you're becoming too scared to code, you can take it gradually.
That's it!
If there is any other tip you know would be helpful, you can leave them in the comments section below..
To master any skill, practice is key. I know the learning is usually the boring part for most people but you just need to endure it.
One day it will be worth it.
Happy coding!!
Top comments (1)
Thanks for sharing. What i like to do is split my learning in 2. First i follow few tutorials or read about basics and when i complete one solid section i like to jump straight in to practice and doing only exercises. If i cannot solve something i use google and try to find solution on my own.
When those become easy or boring i switch back to new tutorials and back to book. That way i am not bored, i see the progress and always have new challange.