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ryan smith
687 PointsUnsure of my coding abilities
Hi all,
So I just completed python basics and although I completely understood the first three sections, by the time I got to the 4th, 5th, and 6th sections where we were building things it became a bit harder to follow, but I "managed". I did the exercises fine, but I'd always pause the video when he'd talk about what we were gonna do and I'd try to do them (usually I couldn't) then I would watch the video and see how he'd build the program and I'd think "I'd never be able to think in that "way" . Is this normal, am I doubting myself too early? Will I get better at applying my knowledge in "abstract" ways
2 Answers
Chris Jones
Java Web Development Techdegree Graduate 23,933 PointsHey Ryan!
You're not alone! What you experienced is very, very normal! When I started programming through Treehouse - I started with Python like you are :) - I felt like this. Honestly, and this could just be me, but light bulbs didn't start turning on until I completed the Python Basics track, started the Flask track, and then switched to the Java track. I remember struggling through concepts and videos plenty....and I still do sometime.
However, I will say that if you stick with it long enough and apply yourself, the basics will start to become ingrained, you'll start to recognize patterns/paradigms no matter what language your looking at, you'll get better at reading documentation, and the struggles will become less and less. It will take some time, but you'll get there if you work at it.
In the dev community, there's a term called "imposter syndrome" and it's fairly common from what I understand. Treehouse did a great skit on it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZNNUs0v1cU
Watching that video made me feel a lot better - everyone goes through what you're going through to some extent, but as the video shows (and I can personally attest to at some level): with practice and hard work the feeling goes away as confidence increases.
Let me know if have any more questions about this....programming is hard (yet very rewarding) and I wish I had a little more community and encouragement when I first started out :).
Rhys Kearns
4,976 PointsYes you are doubting yourself too early - I did that today in my DOM Manipulation course and then did the task and was like wow I actually did that with out help and felt proud. It just takes time!
ryan smith
687 PointsThanks!
ryan smith
687 Pointsryan smith
687 PointsThanks! Did you continue on the python track after finishing Python Basics? If so, did it escalate in level very fast? Did you usually take a little bit longer / much longer than the propose time for each sections (i.e 4 hours, 70 mins, those stuff)
Chris Jones
Java Web Development Techdegree Graduate 23,933 PointsChris Jones
Java Web Development Techdegree Graduate 23,933 PointsNo problem?!
I started with the Python Basics track and then went to the Flask track. I was confused and intimidated by web apps when I first saw Flask. The idea of marking up HTML with objects and code seemed very strange to me at the time. This wasn't so much because web apps we're hard....its just a different way of doing things and we only made console apps in the Python Basics course. At the time I didn't realize that and I think I disliked it so much that I changed tracks to Learn Java. There was also a job open at the time with my current employer that used Java so that influenced my decision to switch as well.
However, after really taking the time to invest in understanding how dynamic webpage rendering works (at least to get done what I needed to) the things that were intimidating at one time aren't anymore.
Yes, I took longer than the time estimated to complete tracks. Also, I just finished the Java tech degree and was noticing that I was taking longer on every project than was estimated. At first this concerned me so I asked a treehouse instructor if that was normal and he said not to be worried about that. Take the time you need to learn something....everybody learns at a different pace. You'll pick things up faster and faster as you see you program longer and learn new langauge and frameworks?.
If you have the aptitude to learn, a passion for technology and coding, and those drive you to work hard then you can learn to code ?. Don't give up on it... everyone's been where you are at some point at least?.