This is a bit of a pick-me-up post. While I didn’t exactly cruise through learning the JavaScript basics (I’ll revisit some more of my first JavaScript problems on the blog soon), my first introduction to jQuery is going less smoothly.
I recently finished Codecademy’s JavaScript Fundamentals track - my high point so far - only to hit a wall immediately after, on Codecademy’s jQuery track. The exercises haven’t felt clear, and without feeling there’s a reasonable hope of getting it, it’s been hard to stick with it.
Of course, there are bound to be times when learning is even more frustratingly difficult than normal doesn’t come as easy. My point is not just to alert you to my own personal protracted moments of I CAN’T DO IT despair, but to share some ideas about keeping spirits and the momentum up:
Just code: If I’ve been quiet for a couple of days, Codecademy send me a ‘keep going’ email, which I think is very considerate indeed. Take a coding hiatus, and time can set in and spread. I don’t think it’s necessary to code every day, but doing at least a little bit most days feels a good habit to adopt to keep things moving.
Solve it first: Personally, I find if I take a break when I’m feeling defeated, all sorts of procrastination happens before I come back to the obstacle again. My advice is to try to pause after rather than before solving a problem.
Look elsewhere: If you don’t get something, you’re not stupid (note to self!). I find the worst thing to do is worry about finding things too difficult; ever heard the saying what you brood over will hatch? Look / keep a look out for an explanation that makes more sense, and be content to build knowledge one little revelation at a time.
Blog: Not for everyone, but this is an important one for me. I genuinely hope my discoveries can help other people make their discoveries, but if nothing else writing this blog helps me! A bit like being at school, I try harder if I think somebody might be watching. And writing things down forces me to look at a topic or problem much more closely than I might have otherwise.
Most importantly, though, a blog is like a water hole for people on a similar journey. The blog gives me a space to ‘meet’ other rookie and experienced programmers and share and hear ideas. The feedback from the folk who comment and email makes home study much less solitary.
So, I’m still learning to code - just about. How are you doing?
Procrastination in progress: Just five more minutes!